The impact of deforestation on the patterns of temperature and relative humidity in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia: A preliminary analysis

Land use change caused by deforestation is the second biggest source of carbon dioxide after fossil fuel combustion and is one of the biggest uncertainties in climate studies. Yet, in South East Asia studies on deforestation and its effects on climate change are still lacking. To bridge the literature gap, this study analyses the effect of land use changes due to deforestation in Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands on the local climate system. Climate data for a period of 36 years (1970 - 2006) were obtained from the Malaysian Meteorological Department while land use data were provided by the Agricultural Department of Cameron Highlands (1970 - 2006). The data were processed by using Microsoft Excel and analysed with simple statistical methods, such as linear regression, coefficient of correlation and percentage. Generally, the results showed that there was a rise in temperature of around 0.9ºC in the MARDI station and a 0.1ºC rise near the Tanah Rata station. The temperature increment was in line with the change in land use patterns in Cameron Highlands, from densely forested areas into urban and agricultural areas. Relative humidity had also decreased particularly at the MARDI station, Tanah Rata town. Deforestation had affected the climate of Cameron Highlands and had had a negative impact on the highlands tourism industry. A more sustainable development is thus necessary for Cameron Highlands to ensure the continued flourishing of its tourism industry.