There are two types of montane forests in Malaysia; lower and upper montane forests. These can be found at altitudes above 1,000 metres for example in the Peninsular Malaysia. These may be further sub-divided into upper-dipterocarp, mid-mountain oak forest and upper mountain ericaceous forest. In Malaysia, another type of montane forest, the sub-alpine type can be foun above the tree line at 3, 500 metres on Gunung Kinanabalu, Sabah.

VITAL FUNCTIONS OF MONTANE FORESTS

        Apart from the natural beauty of these areas, which have made them popular recreation
areas, montane forests perform vital ecological functions. mountain ranges are the source of most rivers and streams we depend on for water. Montane forests also control erosion and, ultimately, prevent siltation of the rivers downstream. They stabilise the local climate and are habitats of high plant and animal diversity, especially sustaining a large number of endemic plants. Further studies in these areas will undoubtedly reveal species that may one day prove to be valuable sources of new drugs and medicines.
        However, montane forests have increasingly become prime targets for incompatible
development activities such as resort development, road construction, agriculture and logging. The trend is increasing and montane forests are now under great pressure from such development. As improper management and incompatible development of these areas continue unabated, we can expect to see even more wide scale problems such as reduction in water quality and quantity, soil erosion, changes in local climate and loss of unique Malaysian biodiversity.

HIGHLAND BIODIVERSITY

Only five percent of Peninsular Malaysia's land area is above 900m. However, studies carried out by WWF Malaysia on the Main Range estimate this small area contains over 25% of the total species of flora found in the country. Floristic studies of Gunung Kinabalu indicate that biological diversity is highest at altitudes of between 1,000m - 1,500m. More than 1,200 different species of orchids can be found in Kinabalu Park alone - the highest known concentration of orchids in any single place in the world. Highlands also have a high diversity of bird life. More than 260 species of birds can be found in Fraser's Hill alone - that number is more than half the number of bird species found in the whole of Europe.