Orchid Diversity in Community Managed Subtropical Forests in Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, Northeast India

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the orchid diversity in community managed subtropical broad-leaved forests in Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. A total of 87 community forests were surveyed in Khasi Hills. The study revealed the presence of 123 species belonging to 54 genera. The highest numbers of species (66) were recorded in sacred forests, followed by reserved (51) and village (32) forests. Majority of the recorded species (87) were epiphytic and 36 were terrestrial. Of all the species, 28 (22.76%) were recorded as endemic and 12 (9.76%) were rare. Dendrobium with 19 species was the dominant genera followed by Coelogyne with 11 species. Owing to a number of anthropogenic disturbances followed by habitat loss, these species are subjected to continuous threat, hence warrants immediate conservation actions. Therefore, it is suggested that mass propagation, through conventional and tissue culture techniques should be adopted to conserve the dwindling orchid diversity of the state.