Biodiversity exploration of host trees (phorophyte) of epiphyte orchids in the natural habitat

Abstract

Epiphyte orcids host trees grow naturally in tropical rainforests. Nowadays tropical rainforest destruction could decreased these specific host trees alongside with the various epiphyte orchids. Little information could be found on epiphyte host trees in Indonesia. The aim of this research was to explore the biodiversity of epiphyte orchid host trees (phorophytes) at Highway Forest Park Raden Soeryo and supported by exploration data in 2003, 2005, 2018 at Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, and in 2006, 2007 at Highway Forest Park R. Soeryo. Exploration of epiphyte orchid host trees at Jogging Track site and Coban Watu Ondo site, Highway Forest Park R. Soeryo, East Java was conducted in May-July 2019. The research methode was carried out using a purposive sampling methode at Jogging Track and line transect at Coban Watu Ondo. From the main transect 30 plots were made with the area of each plot 20 m x 20 m with a distance between plots of 60 m at Jogging Track site and 100 m at Coban Watu Ondo. From the exploration we found at Jogging Track site 15 species of 173 hosts trees with diversity index 1.57 (medium). While at Coban Watu Ondo 10 species of 171 host trees with diversity index 1.52 (medium). Host trees bark characterizes by rough. grooved, hard skin no latex, tree diameter 20.00-85.00 cm. canopy medium-sparse. The biodiversity of porophyte trees exist in the area of National Park Bromo Tengger Semeru and Highway Forest Raden Soeryo south of Mt Arjuno Lalijiwo and east of Mt Anjasmoro regions is quite diverse.