Foliar elemental profiles in the ultramafic flora of Kinabalu Park (Sabah, Malaysia)

Research on the ultramafic flora of Kinabalu Park, Sabah, Malaysia, reveals significant hyperaccumulator behavior in numerous plant species. The study identified 38 species accumulating aluminum (Al) at concentrations exceeding 1000 μg g⁻¹, along with notable accumulators of manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn). Specifically, 24 species exhibited extreme Ni accumulation (>1000 μg g⁻¹), with a striking phylogenetic pattern where 75% of these Ni hyperaccumulators belonged to the order Malpighiales. This discovery underscores the unique ecological adaptations of Kinabalu's flora, particularly in ultramafic soils. The study analyzed foliar elemental profiles of 594 plant species (1710 samples), comparing ultramafic and non-ultramafic soil types to elucidate element-specific uptake patterns, including exclusion of phytotoxic elements like Ni and Mn.

van der Ent, A., Mulligan, D. R., Repin, R., & Erskine, P. D. (2018). Foliar elemental profiles in the ultramafic flora of Kinabalu Park (Sabah, Malaysia). Ecological Research, 33(3), 659–674. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-018-1563-7