On September 21, 2024, the Conservation Division of the Biology Orchid Study Club (BiOSC) Universitas Gadjah Mada conducted an exploration activity at Curug Siluwok. This regular activity acted as a foundational step in the conservation of native orchid species.
Curug Siluwok was selected as the exploration site due to its status as a prominent ecotourism destination in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The prevalence of orchid species in this area is particularly susceptible to disturbances from tourist activities. The exploration involved ten active members of BiOSC and aimed to document the native orchid species in Curug Siluwok, thereby augmenting the biodiversity database of orchids in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, particularly within the Menoreh Highland.
The exploration commenced with a comprehensive briefing session in the morning to prepare participants for field activities and assign specific responsibilities. Subsequently, the team embarked on a journey to the exploration site, which took approximately one hour. Upon arrival at Curug Siluwok at 09:00, participants collected data on orchids in Curug Siluwok, including morphological characteristics, the enumeration of individual orchids encountered, geographic coordinates of each orchid’s location, and environmental parameters. The investigation resulted in the identification of 11 orchid species at the Curug Siluwok site, including Vanilla planifolia Andrews, Dendrobium crumenatum Sw., Bryobrium retusum (Blume) Ng & Cribb, Acriopsis lilifolia (Koenig) Ormerod, Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume, Aerides odorata Lour., Liparis condylobulbon Rchb.f., Zeuxine clandestina Blume, Spathoglottis plicata Blume, Malaxis sp., and Thrixspermum sp. The data will contribute to the conservation records of native orchids and enhance our understanding of orchid biodiversity within the Special Region of Yogyakarta, particularly in the Menoreh Highland.
It is hoped that the regular exploratory activities will enrich the existing knowledge base concerning the distribution of various orchid species in the Menoreh Highland, specifically at Curug Siluwok, thus supporting the conservation of orchid species within the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Following this exploration, the Conservation Division will implement ongoing monitoring in the Curug Siluwok area to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of the native orchid populations.
