UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA
DIVERSITY OF LIMESTONE ORCHIDS IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN PADAWAN, KUCHING, SARAWAK
MICHAEL LIM YEE LIANG
FS 2008 14
DIVERSITY OF LIMESTONE ORCHIDS IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN PADAWAN,
KUCHING, SARAWAK
MICHAEL LIM YEE LIANG
MASTER OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA
2008
DIVERSITY OF LIMESTONE ORCHIDS IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN PADAWAN, KUCHING, SARAWAK
By
MICHAEL LIM YEE LIANG
Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science
Jan 2008
I certify that an Examination Committee has met on 11 January 2008 to conduct the final examination of Michael Lim Yee Liang on his Master of Science thesis entitled “Diversity of Limestone Orchids in Central and Northern Padawan, Kuching, Sarawak” in accordance with Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Act 1980 and Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Regulations 1981. The Committee recommends that the student be awarded the degree of Master of Science. Members of the Examination Committee were as follows: Hishamuddin Omar, PhD Lecturer Faculty of Science Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) Janna Ong Abdullah, PhD Lecturer Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner) Umi Kalsom Yusuf, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Science Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner) Mohamed Abdul Majid, PhD Professor Faculty of Science University of Malaya (External Examiner) HASANAH MOHD. GHAZALI, PhD Professor and Deputy Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia Date: 1 April 2008
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This thesis was submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia and has been accepted as fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science. The members of the Supervisory Committee were as follows: Rusea Go, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Science Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) Faridah Qamaruz Zaman, PhD Doctor Faculty of Science Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member) Julaihi Abdullah Deputy Manager Forest Research Centre Sarawak Forestry Corporation (Member) AINI IDERIS, PhD Professor and Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia Date: 10 April 2008
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DECLARATION
I declare that the thesis is my original work except for quotations and citations which have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously, and is not concurrently, submitted for any other degree at Universiti Putra Malaysia or at any other institution. MICHAEL LIM YEE LIANG Date: 19 February 2008
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Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science
DIVERSITY OF LIMESTONE ORCHIDS IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN
PADAWAN, KUCHING, SARAWAK
By
MICHAEL LIM YEE LIANG
Jan 2008
Chairman : Associate Professor Rusea Go, PhD Faculty : Science Sarawak is situated in the north-west of Borneo, which is the largest state in Malaysia. Limestone hills and mountains are a natural landmark in parts of Sarawak and Padawan Formation is the largest outcrop in Sarawak. Padawan area is located at the south-west part of Kuching District and limestone hills are mostly of the wet type. The favourable climate and various forms of microhabitat strongly enhance the richness and diversity in the composition of limestone orchids in Padawan, especially rare and endemic species. Nonetheless, the Padawan orchid is poorly known due to the very few specific literature made and most of the documentations in field have not been published. This study is an attempt to document the orchid diversity in limestone areas not covered in the previous study by Phoon (2004). From this study, a total of 94 taxa in 36 genera from 4 subfamilies of orchids on 14 limestone hills and one riverbank from northern to central part of Padawan Limestone Area were recorded and botanized. A total of 25 taxa and one genus are new records for Padawan Formation. Out of these, eight taxa are new records for Sarawak and one taxon is a new record for Malaysia. Bulbophyllum reticulatum and Paphiopedilum stonei are endemic to Sarawak; whilst, B. longiflorum, B. reticulatum, Cleisostoma discolor, C. nieuwenhuisii, Dossinia marmorata, P. stonei, Phalaenopsis cochlearis, Trichoglottis winkleri var. minor and Vanda scandens are limestone endemic species. Discussions were based upon two main aspects: (i) floristic diversity significance, for analyzing species diversity and morphological diversity of Padawan orchids; and (ii) the geographical significance, for conferring the diversity patterns of Padawan limestone orchids distributed in different places and endemism. The Orchidaceae of Padawan principally comprised the Bornean element at the generic and species level given its geographical, geological, climatic and floristic proximity. Gunung Bekap, Gunung Mentawa and Gunung Timurang covered the most diverse amount of orchid species together with those rare and endangered species. Therefore, they have to be conserved broadly by implementing in situ conservation techniques.
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Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Master Sains
DIVERSITI ORKID BATU KAPUR DI BAHAGIAN TENGAH DAN UTARA
PADAWAN, KUCHING, SARAWAK
Oleh
MICHAEL LIM YEE LIANG
Jan 2008 Pengerusi : Professor Madya Dr. Rusea Go, PhD Fakulti : Sains Sarawak terletak pada bahagian barat laut Borneo, yang merupakan negeri terbesar di Malaysia. Kawasan bukit dan gunung batu kapur adalah satu simbol semulajadi tempatan di bahagian Sarawak dan Formasi Padawan merupakan kawasan batu kapur yang paling besar di Sarawak. Kawasan Padawan terletak di bahagian barat daya Daerah Kuching dan bukit-bukau batu kapur yang terkandung dalam kawasan Padawan kebanyakannya ialah batu kapur basah. Iklim yang sesuai dan kewujudan pelbagai bentuk mikro-habitat banyak mendorong kepada kekayaan dan kepelbagaian komposisi orkid batu kapur di Padawan, terutamanya spesies yang jarang ditemui dan endemik. Walau bagaimanapun, orkid Padawan tidak banyak diketahui kerana hanya sedikit catatan spesifik yang dibuat dan kebanyakan dokumentasi di lapangan tidak diterbitkan. Kajian ini merupakan usaha bagi mendokumentasikan kepelbagaian orkid di kawasan batu kapur yang belum diterajui oleh Phoon (2004) pada kajian yang lepas. Daripada kajian ini, sebanyak 94 taksa orkid dalam 36 genera daripada empat subfamili yang terdapat pada 14 kawasan bukit batu kapur dan satu sungai dari bahagian utara hingga ke tengah Kawasan Batu Kapur Padawan telah direkod dan ditinjau. Sebanyak 25 taksa dan satu genus adalah rekod baru bagi Formasi Padawan. Lapan taksa daripada jumlah tersebut merupakan rekod baru bagi Sarawak dan salah satu taksa daripadanya adalah rekod baru bagi Malaysia. Bulbophyllum reticulatum and Paphiopedilum stonei ialah spesies endemik kepada Sarawak manakala Bulbophyllum longiflorum, Bulbophyllum reticulatum, Cleisostoma discolor, Cleisostoma nieuwenhuisii, Dossinia marmorata, Paphiopedilum stonei, Phalaenopsis cochlearis, Trichoglottis winkleri var. minor and Vanda scandens merupakan spesies endemik kepada kawasan batu kapur. Perbincangan mengenai dua aspek utama: (i) kepentingan kepelbagaian floristik, untuk menganalisis kepelbagaian spesies dan kepelbagaian morfologi bagi orkid Padawan; dan (ii) kepentingan geografi, untuk membincangkan corak kepelbagaian bagi orkid batu kapur Padawan bertaburan di tempat-tempat yang berlainan serta pasal endemik telah dilakukan. Famili orkid di Padawan kebanyakannya berasaskan elemen Bornean pada aras genus dan spesies dari segi hubungan geografi, geologi, iklim dan floristik. Gunung Bekap, Gunung Mentawa dan Gunung Timurang mengandungi kepelbagaian spesies
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orkid yang terluas serta spesies yang mengalami risiko kepupusan dan jarang dijumpai. Justeru, ketiga-tiga gunung tersebut perlu dipulihara secara menyeluruh dengan perlaksanaan teknik pemuliharaan in situ.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Praise and thanks be to God in the highest.
First of all, the author would like to express the deepest appreciation to his supervisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rusea Go for her appropriate suggestions, continuous guidance, unselfishly encouragement, invaluable advice and earnest concern, who also assisted to edit this paper and share her vast taxonomical and botanical understanding all over this study.
Secondly, the author’s thanks goes to Dr. Faridah Qamaruz Zaman as internal co-supervisor, not only made watchful corrections for the author during the inspection of this work, but also aiding and advising the author whenever he met difficulties throughout this study; and The Deputy Manager of Sarawak Forest Research Centre, Mr. Julaihi Abdullah, as external co-supervisor, who had provided the author the transportation comprehensively to execute and complete the collections of specimens in the field as well as given priceless effort and explanation in compiling this paper.
Members of the Sarawak Forest Research Centre also helped in the study, especially in guiding the field works and providing the essential and relevant information no matter inside or outside the field. The author wishes to acknowledge the hard work and proficiency of Madam Lucy, Madam Runi, Mr. Chan, Mr. Awang, Mr. Atak, Mr. Dino and those whose name are forgotten.
The author should like to acknowledge the sponsorship of Yayasan Sarawak Tunku Abdul Rahman Scholarship (YBSTAR) during the period of this study.
The author would like to thank Dr. Philip Cribb, Dr. John Beaman, Dr. Ruth Kiew and Dr. Jaap Vermeulen for their sincere guidelines and assistance in identifying a number of the specimens.
The honest gratitude is expressed too to the following authorities: Sarawak Research Centre Herbarium (SAR), Singapore Herbarium (SING), Universiti Putra Malaysia Biological Herbarium (UPM), University Malaya Herbarium (KLU), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Herbarium, Bangi (UKMB), State Library of Sarawak, Malaysian Meteorological Department of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Meteorological Service of Petaling Jaya and Mineral and Geoscience Department of Kuala Lumpur. They had supplied direction in examination of the herbaria specimens as well as provided significant data.
Without the truthful helping hands from lab assistants: Kak Latifah, En. Azman and En. Arif, together with the supports and cheerfulness from his seniors: Phoon, Claysius,
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Qutub, Joe, Wendy, Yet Han, Lea Yen, Loh Ming and Tang, the author might not be able to accomplish and conclude his study.
Perhaps most importantly, the author feels grateful for having his most beloved parents, brother, and all his friends especially Sin Ling, Meng Han, Jap Meng, Alvin, Swee Chiang, Leslie and Lip Nam. They are undeniable in giving him the courage, prayer, moral support and accompanying him most of the times since the project study started.
Last of all, the author would like to show appreciation for those who might not particularly named.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page ABSTRACT ii ABSTRAK iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v APPROVAL vii DECLARATION ix LIST OF TABLES x LIST OF FIGURES xii LIST OF COLOUR PLATES xiv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xvii
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1
OBJECTIVES 3
II LITERATURE REVIEW Sarawak, Kuching and Padawan 4 Padawan Limestone Area Habitat and Formation 10 Historical Background and Present Status of Orchid Collections in
Sarawak 14
Classification of Sarawak Orchids 16 The Characteristics of the Orchidaceae Subfamilies 19 The Morphological Structure and Reproduction of Orchid 21 The Ecological Distribution of Orchids 26 Diversity and Limestone Endemic 27 Conservation and Legislative Protection of Sarawak Orchids 31 Threats in Padawan Formation 41 Economic Uses of Orchids 44
III AREAS COVERED AND METHODS Areas Covered 46 Methods and Materials 49 Field Collections 49 Herbarium Preparing Procedures 49 Species Identification and Enumeration 51 Conservation Approaches 52
IV RESULTS Orchid Diversity in Padawan 53 Classification of Padawan Orchid Genera 62 Artificial key to the Subfamilies, Genera and Species of
Orchidaceae in Padawan 64
Key to the Padawan Orchids Subfamilies 64 Key to the Genera in Subfamily Orchidoideae 65 Key to the Genera in Subfamily Epidendroideae 65 Taxa Enumeration 68
V DISCUSSION Floristic Diversity Significance 235
Species Diversity of Padawan Orchids 235 Morphological Diversity of Padawan Orchids 238 Geographical Significance 246 Geographical Distribution of Padawan Limestone Orchids 247 Distribution of Orchids in Padawan Limestone 252
Conservation for Orchids of Padawan 257
VI CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 261
REFERENCES 268 APPENDICES 273 BIODATA OF THE AUTHOR 331
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1 Classification System of Sarawak Orchid Genera 17
2 The orchid flora in the world 26
3 General geographical distribution of the orchids of Sarawak 27
4 Genera in Sarawak with high levels of endemic taxa 29
5 List of limestone orchids in Sarawak 29
6 Red List status of the globally threatened orchids’ species (IUCN, 2002)
32
7 List of threatened species of orchids according to the 2002 IUCN Red List
33
8 List of taxa known only from Sarawak and known only from the type collection(s) considered to be Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) or Vulnerable (VU), based upon the 1997 IUCN Red List criteria
34
9 Protected Areas in Malaysia 39
10 Legally constituted National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Sarawak
40
11 List of genera collected in Padawan 55
12 List of new records of species for Padawan 56
13 List of new records of species for Sarawak 56
14 List of new record of species for Malaysia 56
15 Orchid distributions in Padawan Limestone Area 59
16 Geographical elements found in the orchids of Padawan 248
17 Similarities at the generic and species level between Padawan orchid and three various limestone hills
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18 List of Padawan orchids blooming in the green house 258
19 Records of temperature 274
20 Records of rainfall and relative humidity 275
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1 Map of Borneo showing the location of Sarawak 5
2 Outline geological map of Sarawak showing the location of Kuching and Padawan as well as the type of soil
12
3 The flower morphology of a Cattleya 22
4 Reproductive structure of an orchid flower 23
5 Study sites showing the north to central part of the Padawan District
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6 Total species and genera collected from limestone hills in Padawan 57
7 Abdominea minimiflora 277
8 Appendicula cornuta 278
9 Bulbophyllum armeniacum 279
10 Bulbophyllum botryophorum 280
11 Bulbophyllum coniferum 281
12 Bulbophyllum reticulatum 282
13 Bulbophyllum vaginatum 283
14 Cleisostoma discolor 284
15 Cleisostoma nieuwenhuisii 285
16 Cleisostoma striatum 286
17 Coelogyne prasina 287
18 Cymbidium rectum 288
19 Dendrobium clavator 289
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20 Dendrobium leonis 290
21 Dendrobium paniferum 291
22 Dendrobium rosellum 292
23 Dossinia marmorata 293
24 Eria jeseniana 294
25 Eria longissima 295
26 Eria ornata 296
27 Eria pseudoleiophylla 297
28 Liparis lobongensis 298
29 Malaxis lowii 299
30 Paphiopedilum stonei 300
31 Phalaenopsis cochlearis 301
32 Teaniophyllum filiforme 302
33 Thecostele alata 303
34 Thelasis capitata 304
35 Trichoglottis winkleri var. minor 305
36 Tropidia pedunculata 306
37 Vanda scandens 307
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
asl. Above sea level
c. Approximately
cm Centimeter
G. Gunung (Hill)
ha Hectare
km Kilometer
Kpg. Kampung (Village)
m Meter
mm Milimeter
oC Degree Celsius
pers. comm. Personal communication
Sg. Sungai (River)
sq km Square kilometer
— To
x Times
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LIST OF COLOUR PLATES Plate Page
1A Abdominea minimiflora (Hook.f.) J.J. Sm. 310
1B Acriopsis liliifolia var. liliifolia (J. König) Ormerod. Seidenf. 310
1C Agrostophyllum bicuspidatum J.J. Sm. 310
1D Appendicula cornuta Bl., Bijdr. 310
1E Appendicula undulata Blume 310
1F Arundina graminifolia (D. Don) Hochr. 310
2A Bulbophyllum coniferum Ridl. 312
2B Bulbophyllum gracillimum (Rolfe) Rolfe 312
2C Bulbophyllum longiflorum Thouars 312
2D Bulbophyllum purpurascens Teijsm. & Binn. 312
2E Bulbophyllum reticulatum Bateman ex. Hook.f. 312
2F Bulbophyllum tortuosum Blume 312
3A Bulbophyllum vaginatum Lindl. 314
3B Bulbophyllum sp. 2 314
3C Cleisostoma discolor Lindl. 314
3D Cleisostoma nieuwenhuisii J.J. Sm. 314
3E Cleisostoma striatum (Reichb.f.) Garay 314
3F Cleisostoma subulatum Blume 314
4A Coelogyne asperata Lindl. 316
4B Coelogyne prasina J.J. Sm. 316
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4C Corybas pictus (Blume) Rchb.f. 316
4D Dendrobium anosmum Lindl. 316
4E Dendrobium clavator Ridl. 316
4F Dendrobium leonis (Lindl.) Reichb.f. 316
5A Dendrobium paniferum J.J. Sm. 318
5B Dendrobium rosellum Ridl. 318
5C Dendrobium spurium (Blume) J.J. Sm. 318
5D Dossinia marmorata (Lindl.) E. Morr. (Plant) 318
5E Dossinia marmorata (Lindl.) E. Morr. (Flower) 318
5F Eria jeseniana J.J. Sm. 318
6A Eria leiophylla Lindl. 320
6B Eria longissima (Kraenzl.) J.J. Sm. 320
6C Eria tenuiflora Ridl. 320
6D Flickingeria fimbriata (Blume) Hawkes (Light creamy color) 320
6E Flickingeria fimbriata (Blume) Hawkes (Yellow color) 320
6F Habenaria lobbii Rchb.f. 320
7A Liparis gibbosa Finet 322
7B Liparis lobongensis Ames 322
7C Malaxis lowii (E. Morren) Ames (Plant) 322
7D Malaxis lowii (E. Morren) Ames (Flower) 322
7E Malaxis oculata (Rchb.f.) O. Kuntze 322
7F Oberonia ciliolata Hook.f. 322
8A Paphiopedilum stonei (Hook.) Stein. 324
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8B Phalaenopsis cochlearis Holttum 324
8C Pholidota imbricata Hook. 324
8D Plocoglottis acuminata Blume 324
8E Taeniophyllum filiforme J.J. Sm. 324
8F Thecostele alata (Roxb.) Par. & Rchb.f. 324
9A Thelasis carinata Blume 326
9B Thelasis macrobulbon Ridl. 326
9C Thelasis micrantha (Brogn.) J.J. Sm. 326
9D Thelasis pygmaea (Griff.) Lindl. 326
9E Trichoglottis winkleri J.J. Sm. var. minor J.J. Sm. 326
9F Vanda scandens Holttum 326
10A Gunung Regu 328
10B Gunung Timungan 328
10C Gunung Timurang 328
10D Gunung Bewang 328
10E Gunung Bekap 328
10F Gunung Mangan 328
11A Gunung Mentawa 330
11B Anah Rais riverbank 330
11C Gunung Braang 330
11D Gunung Rinu 330
11E Gunung Gayu 330
11F Cave on Gunung Regu 330
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
The orchid family (Orchidaceae) is a very large group of plants mainly distributed in
tropical and subtropical regions. Some of its members also thrive in temperate areas and
even extend to alpine and artic regions. The plants of various forms produce many
pretty and attractive flowers that have enjoyed world wide fame (Horng, 1975) .The
third largest island in the world, Borneo, is a center of diversity of orchid, which
consists of 10% of the world’s orchids, equivalent to 2500-3000 orchid species.
However, only 30-40% is endemic to Borneo Island (Lamb, 1991).
The word “orchid” is a derivation of the Greek orchis, meaning testis, in reference to
the testiculate bulbs or tubers with which the particular plants of those Mediterranean
regions were furnished (Reinikka, 1972). Orchids are commonly divided into only two
groups, despite all their apparent differences. Those that grow on the ground are called
“terrestrials.” They are earth dwellers, which sink their roots into the soil and shoot up
like ordinary plants (Martin, 1974). About half of the world’s total species are
terrestrial, but most of the remainder, all tropical or subtropical, is “epiphyte”.
Epiphytes grow in elevated positions on trees and rock cliffs. They do not take food
from the tree on which they grow, but merely use it as a platform for exposure to the
sun.
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Sarawak is one of the most important centers of plant diversity in the world and also the
largest state in Malaysia with an area of approximately 124,449sq km, which accounts
for about 37.5% of Malaysia in terms of size. Limestone areas in Sarawak are
widespread and rich in orchid species. There are only 40 genera of orchids endemic to
limestone although 150 genera and around 901 species are found in Sabah and Sarawak
(Wood and Cribb, 1994). However, not many specific studies have been carried out on
limestone orchids especially in Padawan, Kuching, Sarawak. In addition, no specimens
had been collected before this study, even though there are many rare and endemic
orchids in the limestone areas at Padawan. The main factors hindering botanizing in
these areas are the dangers of rock climbing, poisonous insects and snakes, as well as
difficulties of assessment in limestone forests. Furthermore, the numbers of plant
taxonomists in Malaysia are extremely inadequate as we are now having less than 10
taxonomists actively working on our mega biodiversity (The News Strait Times, 2002).
Hence, this study aims to acquire more knowledge and baseline species data on the
diversity of limestone orchids in Padawan.
Limestone habitats have been rapidly disturbed due to the uncontrolled human activities
such as traditional farming system and agriculture practices, uncontrolled logging
activities, non-stop quarrying activities and illegal collections of orchids. These will
bring negative impacts and finally may cause extinction of the orchids. As a precaution,
conservation on limestone orchids must be emphasized continuously.
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To date, less than 10% of the total limestone hills in Padawan have been botanized (area
where botanical work has been carried out) and studied comprehensively.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
1. To investigate diversity of limestone orchids in selected hills in Padawan
Limestone, Sarawak, in terms of species number, towards proper and
scientific documentation.
2. To reevaluate macro-morphological characters of the collected limestone
orchids, adding to the existing taxonomic data and identification keys.
3. To investigate diversity of limestone endemic species and Sarawak
endemic and endangered species in Padawan Limestone Area.
CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
Sarawak, Kuching and Padawan
Sarawak is situated in the north-west of Borneo, between 0°50’ to 5°10’N latitude and
109°35’ to 115°40’E longitude, borders Brunei, Sabah and Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is
the largest state of Malaysia covering an area of 124,450 sq km with a coastline 720 km
in length which accounts for about 37.5% of the area of Malaysia. Its highest point is
Gunung Murud, 2,438 m, and it also has the longest river in Malaysia, Batang Rajang,
which stretches over 640 km (Chin, 1997).
Sarawak is a tropical area with an equatorial climate. It is hot and humid throughout the
year with mean daily temperatures ranging from 23oC during the early hours of the
morning to 32oC during the day. It experiences two monsoonal changes. The West
Coast East Monsoon, which usually occurs between November to February, brings with
it heavy rainfall. The South West Monsoon is usually less wet. Except for monsoonal
changes, the climate remains fairly stable throughout the year. Sarawak, with an
average rainfall varying between 330 cm to 460 cm for the greater part of the country, is
an expansive network of rivers, rainforests, mangroves, swamp forests, mountains and
has the world’s oldest limestone caves (Burgers et al., 1991; Julaihi, 2001).
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