Orchids

Abstract

Assessing the floristic composition of any forest type (whether pristine, fragmented or disturbed) is incomplete without incorporating members of the family Orchidaceae. The presence of orchids in a locality is often used as a bioindicator of ecosystem health due to their extensive and complex interaction with the ecological components. Therefore, the inclusion of orchids in a floristic account suggests that ecosystem is functioning well. This may be attributed to the high diversity of orchids in Sarawak, where more than 1000 species are found, sparsely distributed across a wide range of habitats. Considering Sarawak's vast forested land that remains under-botanized, such as the Sabal Forest Reserve, continuous efforts in orchid studies are necessary to understand not only overall floral diversity but also their roles in specific localities and areas".