Epiphytic orchids and their ecological niche under anthropogenic influence in central Himalayas,Nepal

The survival chance of epiphytie orchids today not only depends on the natural site conditions required by the orchids but also on anthropogenic changes in site conditions. This study answers two questions： （1） What is the ecological niche of the different epiphytic orchid species？ （2） What are the ecological factors that threaten epiphytic orchid＇s population under anthropogenic disturbances？ Our study area was the Kathmandu valley, Nepal, with its subtropical forest. We established 156 systematically selected sampling points in the Kathmandu area covering different types of ecosystems under human impacts such as densely populated area, agricultural land, mixed agricultural and settled area, old tree patches, and a natural forest in a national park. The ecological niche of the orchid species was analyzed with a principal component analysis （PCA）. The correlations between the different site factors were statistically significant. Spearman＇s rank correlation matrices showed that the variables land-use intensities with altitude, and height with diameter in breast height （dbh） of host had the highest significant positive correlation coefficient （0.67 and 0.64 respectively）. On the other hand, host bark pH and altitude as well as land use had a significantly strong negative correlation coefficient （-0.80 and -0.61, respectively）. Different epiphytic orchid species interact differently with the given set of environmental factors： for occurrence of Vanda cristata there is no single environmental factor of special influence, while for Rhynehostylis retusa high bark pH and high light availability are important. First two axis of the PCA explained more than 50% of the total variance. Most orchid species occupy a specific, narrow niche in this ecological space. The main causes of anthropogenie influence of orchid population in the Kathmandu Valley are loss of adequate host trees （species and size） and increasing air pollution, resulting in increasing host bark pH.

Micro-site Conditions of Epiphytic Orchids in a Human Impact Gradient in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

We studied distribution and site conditions of epiphytic orchids in a gradient of human interference in Kathmandu valley, central Nepal. The aim was to understand the recent distribution pattern of epiphytic orchids, with respect to (i) the micro-site conditions and (ii) the type and intensity of land use. The occurrence of epiphytic orchids was recorded for a grid with 1.5 km cell size. The cells represent different types and intensities of human impact. Site factors such as bark rugosity, bark pH, diameter at breast height (dbh; 1.3 m) of host trees, exposure to wind and sunlight intensity were recorded. With regard to the species richness and abundance of epiphytic orchids, we compared different human impact categories from very strong human impact (settlement area) to very low human impact (national park). Remote sensing was used for a supervised classification of land cover. Ficus religiosa turned out to be the most important host species for orchids in urban areas, while Schima wallichii and Alnus nepalensis significantly host orchids in the other categories. Both species richness and abundance of epiphytic orchids were significantly higher under very low human impact (forest in national park) and also some remaining patches of primary forest than the other regions. Micro-climate is crucial for orchid populations. Host bark pH, bark rugosity, sunlight intensity and host exposure were significantly different for all human impact categories in order to harbour epiphytic orchid species. Habitats with a mixture of mature trees are suitable and essential for the conservation of viable populations of epiphytic orchids in settled areas. The study reveals that to improve the population size of orchids it is essential for future urban forestry to: (i) Protect old trees as carriers of existing epiphytic orchid diversity, (ii) protect medium old trees to ensure that they may become old trees, (iii) plant new host trees for the future, (iv) plant in groups instead of single isolate trees. Trees should especially be planted in areas where orchids still exist to provide more trees for orchid population enlargement (e.g. along riparian system). Native species should be favoured; the pool of such native host species is wide.

The rare Australian epiphytic orchid Sarcochilus weinthalii associates with a single species of Ceratobasidium

Sarcochilus weinthalii is a rare,epiphytic orchid largely restricted to the dry rainforests of eastern Australia.Part of the conservation procedures for the orchid includes isolation and identification of the associated mycorrhizal fungus.In this study the mycorrhizal fungal partner of the species was determined through extraction and sequencing of DNA from both colonised orchid roots and pure fungal cultures grown out from orchid roots.A single species of Ceratobasidium predominated in the orchid suggesting that the orchid displays narrow fungal specificity.This mycorrhizal fungus can now be used in conservation procedures involving ex situ growth and the reintroduction of plants to the natural state.