Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) including isoprene, monoterpene, alcohols are released from many plant species. BVOCs are highly reactive with ozone and hydroxyl radicals as compared with most anthropogenic volatile organic compounds and, therefore, contribute to the formation of ozone and other photochemical oxidants in the lower atmosphere.

We conducted measurements of BVOC emissions from leaves of tropical tree species in the Pasoh Forest Reservea, Malaysia and in Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). Thirty eight tree species were screened for BVOCs emissions in a nursery at FRIM. The BVOCs emission rate, together with the net assimilation rate and photosynthetic photon flux density, was measured using a leaf cuvette. BVOC emission from the plant was identified and quantified using GCMS.

In a nursery at FRIM, Screening of BVOC-emitting species showed that 12 tree species were isoprene emitters. No isoprene and monoterpene emitter was found in dipterocarp trees in this study. On the other hand, it has been found that oil palms are very high isoprene emitters. These results indicate that increasing areas of oil palm plantations could increase isoprene emission in South East Asia.