Author Description

The Malaysian state of Sabah on the island of Borneo has one of the most species-rich floras in the world, with an estimated 8000 plant species known. The flora of ultramafic soils is particularly significant on account of the relatively high levels of plant diversity and endemism these soils support. Ultramafic outcrops cover an area of 3500 km2 on Sabah, stretching in an arc from north-west to south-east. Most prominent is Mount Kinabalu (4092 m asl), itself granite, but surrounded by ultramafic outcrops over a range of altitudes. Kinabalu Park, that protects Mount Kinabalu and its slopes, has the greatest density of plant species recorded to date. This beautiful book aims to provide an introduction to the ecology of ultramafic outcrops in Sabah, and an illustrated guide to some of its incredible plant diversity.