A Catalog of Orchid Species and Their Distribution in Mazumbai Forest Reserve, Tanga Region, Tanzania

Although orchids are common in Mazumbai Forest Reserve (MFR), there are limited resources on where they grow and how to identify them. The primary objective of this study is to create an updated catalog of orchids in MFR, using species abundance, richness and diversity of the orchids as indicators of where orchids prefer to grow in MFR. Orchid species vary greatly as altitude changes, making it important to survey orchids across different altitudes. Therefore, Mazumbai Forest was split into five different altitudinal bands spanning 1400 – 1900m and six 100 x 20m plots in each band were surveyed for both epiphytic and terrestrial orchids. All orchid species recorded was also photographed: both as a means of identification, and as a future reference for orchid species determination. In total, 337 individual orchids, and 15 different orchid species were cataloged. The catalog pictures all 15 species of orchids and gives a short description on the morphological characteristics, and habitat of each species (Appendix III). A one-way ANOVA showed that orchid abundance was significantly different across altitudes, F (4, 25) = 3.23, p = 0.03), but orchid richness was not F (4,25) = 1.82, p \u3e 0.05. Orchid abundance was greatest from 1400 – 1500m elevation (n = 141), and species richness was greatest from 1500 – 1600m elevation (n = 7). Diversity, calculated using Simpson’s Index of Diversity was highest between 1600 – 1700m (D = 0.615), and lowest between 1400 – 1500m (D = 0.372). Terrestrial orchids were only found from 1700 – 1900m elevation, while epiphytic orchids were found in all elevation bands. Epiphytic orchids had a variety of tree hosts (n = 23) and did not appear to strongly prefer one tree species

Distribution and abundance of the edible orchids of the southern highlands of Tanzania

All orchids have showy flowers and many are therefore popular as exotic houseplants as well as contributing significantly to eco-tourism. A special attribute of some orchid genera is the production of edible tubers, an attribute that can contradict eco-tourism if harvesting is not done sustainably. Such is the case in the Southern Highlands where for example, Kitulo Plateau has been gazetted to be a National Park but where edible orchid harvesting is a serious conservation problem. Botanically, unsustainable harvesting can mean the loss of important germplasm even before some species are known to exist. A field survey was undertaken for three weeks in March 2002 in the Southern Regions of Tanzania (Iringa, Mbeya, Rukwa and Ruvuma) to study aspects of the extent of the distribution, diversity and density of edible orchids. Tools for identification included structured questionnaire, on-the-spot identification as well as using herbarium voucher samples and keys. Analytical tools included Shannons' diversity index and Canonical Community Ordination (CANOCO) and ANOVA in Microsoft Excel. A total of 13 edible species of orchids were documented during the survey all of them from the genera Habenaria, Disa and Satyrium. While Tandala and Molo hills had the highest species Diversity Index (over 1.2), Kitulo Plateau showed the greatest species density of over 200/30m2 quadrants. Local communities in Madaba in Ruvuma, Molo, and Mbisi in Rukwa regions used the orchids as vegetables and snacks in lieu of animal meat. The rest of the studied areas used orchids as a source of cash by selling to Zambian traders and or to their middlemen. More research is needed to monitor growth phases, reproductive/propagation studies as well as taxonomic and systematic studies preferably using molecular techniques to determine relationships amongst edible orchids and their non edible relatives. Tanzania Journal of Science Vol. 31 (1) 2005: pp. 45-5

Biogeographical analyses to facilitate targeted conservation of orchid diversity hotspots in Costa Rica

Aim: We conduct a biogeographical assessment of orchids in a global biodiversity hotspot to explore their distribution and occurrences of local hotspots while identifying geographic attributes underpinning diversity patterns. We evaluate habitat characteristics associated with orchid diversity hotspots and make comparisons to other centres of orchid diversity to test for global trends. The ultimate goal was to identify an overall set of parameters that effectively characterize critical habitats to target in local and global orchid conservation efforts. Location: Costa Rica; Mesoamerica. Taxon: Orchidaceae. Methods: Data from an extensive set of herbarium records were used to map orchid distributions and to identify diversity hotspots. Hotspot data were combined with geographic attribute data, including environmental and geopolitical variables, and a random forest regression model was utilized to assess the importance of each variable for explaining the distribution of orchid hotspots. A likelihood model was created based on variable importance to identify locations where suitable habitats and unidentified orchid hotspots might occur. Results: Orchids were widely distributed and hotspots occurred primarily in mountainous regions, but occasionally at lower elevations. Precipitation and vegetation cover were the most important predictive variables associated with orchid hotspots. Variable values underpinning Costa Rican orchid hotspots were similar to those reported at other sites worldwide. Models also identified suitable habitats for sustaining orchid diversity that occurred outside of known hotspots and protected areas. Main conclusions: Several orchid diversity hotspots and potentially suitable habitats occur outside of known distributions and/or protected areas. Recognition of these sites and their associated geographic attributes provides clear targets for optimizing orchid conservation efforts in Costa Rica, although certain caveats warrant consideration. Habitats linked with orchid hotspots in Costa Rica were similar to those documented elsewhere, suggesting the existence of a common biogeographical trend regarding critical habitats for orchid conservation in disparate tropical regions.Universidad de Puerto Rico/[]/UPR/Puerto RicoUniversidad de Costa Rica/[]/UCR/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Jardín Botánico Lankester (JBL

BULBOPHYLLUM ACEHENSE (ORCHIDACEAE), A NEW SPECIES OF SECTION BECCARIANA FROM ACEH, SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Abstract: Sumatra island has been considered as one of the diversity centers for Bulbophyllum species in Indonesia. During botanical exploration held in the mid of 2019, specimens of the genus Bulbophyllum (Orchidaceae) section Beccariana have been collected from highland forests in Aceh Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. Their flower morphology and plant habitus are relatively close to Bulbophyllum cornutum (Blume) Rchb.f. (section Beccariana). Therefore, the aim of this research is to compare the Bulbophyllum sp. from Aceh with closely resemble species in section Beccariana, also to describe and illustrate the morphological characteristics of this Bulbophyllum species from Aceh. Morphological description was carried out by characterizing the flowers and plant habit of the living plants, spirit materials, dried herbarium specimens and photographs. Morphological comparisons with other closely resemble Bulbophyllum species were carried out based on data from protologue, living plants, herbarium specimens and several taxonomic references. The result based on morphological comparisons has showed there were several distinct differences on their flower characteristics, especially on the labellum. Therefore, this Bulbophyllum sp. from Aceh is here described and illustrated as new species, namely Bulbophyllum acehense.Keywords: Bulbophyllum, Sumatra, Orchidaceae

Prediction of lime tolerance in Rhododendron based on herbarium specimen and geochemical data

Rhododendrons are typically known to be calcifuges that cannot grow well in lime soils. Data on lime tolerance of different taxa in Rhododendron are scarce. Habitats of naturally distributed specimens of genus Rhododendron were compiled as Chinese text-based locations from the Chinese Virtual Herbarium. The locations were then geocoded into latitude/longitude pairs and subsequently connected to soil characteristics including pH and CaCO3 from the Harmonized World Soil Database (HWSD). Using the upper quartile values of pH > 7.2 and CaCO3 > 2% weight in topsoil as threshold, we predicted the lime tolerant taxa. A dataset of 31,146 Rhododendron specimens including the information on taxonomy, GPS locations and soil parameters for both top-and subsoil was built. The majority of the specimens were distributed in soils with moderately acidic pH and without presence of CaCO3. 76 taxa with potential lime tolerance were predicted out of 525 taxa. The large scale data analysis based on combined data of geocoded herbarium specimens and HWSD allows identification of valuable Rhododendron species, subspecies or botanical varieties with potential tolerance to lime soils with higher pH. The predicted tolerant taxa are valuable resources for an in-depth evaluation of lime tolerance or for further use in horticulture and breeding

Determinanty druhové diverzity orchidejí

Přírodní prostředí se v posledních desetiletích významně změnilo, především kvůli intenzivní činnosti člověka. Existují důkazy pro to, že teď nejspíš čelíme šestému velkému vymírání druhů a vhodné areály druhů se zmenšují. Proto se také populace mnoha rostlin a živočichů zmenšují a mnohé z nich dokonce vymřely. My jsme naši pozornost zaměřili na orchideje, protože jejich rozšíření vykazuje jeden z nejvyšších poklesů mezi všemi rostlinami. Tato práce se zabývá bohatostí druhů a rozšířením orchidejí, mírou a příčinami jejich velkého poklesu a vymírání, a kromě toho i faktory, které ovlivňují jejich výskyt v České republice a v Řecku. Ve většině předložených studií jsme využili databázi Agentury ochrany přírody a krajiny České republiky, která obsahuje více než 115 000 údajů o výskytu orchidejí v ČR. Typy rozšíření orchidejí jsme analyzovali v šesti rozdílných floristických oblastech, které se liší nadmořskou výškou a složením tamní flóry. Hlavní výsledky jsou shrnuty níže: Speciální strategie opylování orchidejí, stejně jako typ jejich kořenů v České republice i v Řecku hrají roli při rozšíření orchidejí ve zmíněných dvou zemích (Studie I, II a VI). Navíc jsme zjistili, že typy rozšíření se liší mezi šesti zkoumanými floristickými regiony (Studie I a II). V České republice jsou nejrozšířenější...Natural environment has been significantly altered by human activity in past few decades. There is an evidence that we are now facing the sixth mass extinction and suitable areas for species are getting smaller. Therefore, many species of plants and animals are experiencing strong population decline and some of them even became extinct. We focused our attention on orchids because their distribution expresses one of the highest declines among all plant families. In this thesis, we investigated species richness and distribution patterns of orchids, the rate and causes of their decrease and extinction, and factors influencing their occurrence in the Czech Republic and Greece. In the majority of the presented papers, we used a dataset based on the database of the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic that includes more than 115 000 of orchid records in the country. We also analysed the patterns in the six different phytogeographical regions in the Czech Republic that differ in altitude and the composition of local flora. The key findings are as follows: The specialized pollination strategy of orchids, as well as type of rooting systems, both in the Czech Republic and in Greece, play a role in the distribution patterns of orchids in the two countries (Papers I, II and VI). Moreover, the...Institute for Environmental StudiesÚstav pro životní prostředíPřírodovědecká fakultaFaculty of Scienc

Kekayaan Jenis Anggrek Di Hutan Alam Desa Beginjan Kecamatan Tayan Hilir Kabupaten Sanggau

The orchid species richness in anecosystem needs to be revealed in order to support the efforts of the biodiversity conservation. This research aims to determine the types of orchids found in the Natural Forest area in the Village of Beginjan, Sub-district of Tayan Hilir, Sanggau Regency. The research was conducted from April 2014 to July 2014 at the Natural Forest of the Village of Beginjan, Sub-district of Tayan Hilir, Sanggau Regency. The samples were taken through the cruise method by exploring the Forest and collecting each sample found. The research found ten different types of natural orchids consisting of seven species of epiphytic orchids, two types of terrestrial orchids and one type of lithophytic orchid. The orchid genus commonly found in this forest is the Bulbophyllum

Medicinal plants of Nepal: Distribution pattern along an elevational gradient and effectiveness of existing protected areas for their conservation

This study explores patterns of medicinal plant species richness along an elevational gradient in Nepal and the effectiveness of existing protected areas for their conservation. The authors used published data on the distribution of medicinal plants. The number of medicinal plants and the number of protected areas present in each 100 m elevation band were collated by interpolation. They tested the number of protected areas and the number of species as the response variables against elevation as a predictor variable. To explain the relationship between the total medicinal plant richness and..