The Existence of Genetic Diversity in Maintaining Epiphytic Orchids Germplasm In Pronojiwo Conservation Area, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Orchids are often found naturally in tropical rainforests. Tropical rainforest destruction could decrease orchid germplasms in the natural habitat. To save their existence, it is necessary to keep them from the threat of extinction. Some efforts that could be done is by conducted periodically exploration and inventory activities. The objective of this research was to revisit the genetic diversity of epiphytic orchid germplasms in Resort Ranu Darungan Pronojiwo Conservation area Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, East Java compared to the finding in 2002. Exploration of Epiphytic Orchid Diversity at Pronojiwo Conservation Area, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, East Java was conducted in January to February 2018. The research method was descriptive-exploration with random sampling method. Exploration results in 2018 found 1.013 orchids population, consisted of 22 genera and 53 species. While in 2002 found 2.053 orchids population, consisted of 18 genera and 39 species. The host trees found in this research was 21, while in 2002 was found 30 host trees. The value of diversity index by Shannon – Wiener in this research was 3.03 (high) and in 2002 was 3.50 (high). Species with the highest population in 2018 was Eria monostachya with the IVI of 32,94%., while in 2002 was Bulbophyllum biflorum with the IVI of 10.84%. From this research, it is concluded that the genetic diversity of epiphytic orchids germplasm in Resort Ranu Darungan is high. Besides time lapse of 16 years, the existence of epiphyte orchids biodiversity is well maintained.