These results suggest that OMF can differentiate between niches (micro-niche specialization) in a constrained, highly resource-limited environment such as the SWAFR. Phosphorus is the most limited macronutrient in SWAFR soils and the ability to access phytate by OMF indicates a characterizing functional capacity of OMF from the SWAFR. Furthermore, compared with OMF isolated from the rare D. elastica, OMF associating with the common P. recurva produced far greater biomass over a wider variety of nutritional sources. This suggests a broader tolerance for habitat variation providing more opportunities for the common orchid for recruitment and establishment at a site.

Water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) is an important tuber crop containing essential nutrition as an alternative food source. This study aimed to analyze the biochemical composition and nutritional value of fresh tuber of fifteen local accessions of water yam from East Java and followed by the accession selection for the recommendation of accession with the best nutritional value. Results showed that the nutritional value of proximates including moisture, carbohydrate and fiber were significantly different; except in protein, fat, and ash, with the range of moisture (65.47-82.46%), carbohydrate (17.10-29.37%), protein (1.29-3.00%), fat (0.00-0.29%), fiber (6.70-11.62%) and ash (0.85-1.44%). The ranges of mineral contents (mg/100g) were K (224.54-483.21), Ca (15.63-61.97), Mg (16.75-43.06), Fe (1.40-13.40), Zn (0.43-2.83) and P (329.37-699.91); Na mostly not detected. The anti-nutritions contents (mg/100g) comprised tannin (63.36-167.68) and oxalic acid (12.73-44.92). Analysis through HCA showed three clusters with a range of similarity from 67% to 96%; through PCA scatter biplot clearly illustrated the variation and correlation pattern among local accessions. Six promising accessions are recommended for further breeding and development i.e. Uwi Perti/30, Uwi Bangkulit/36, Uwi Bangkulit/42, Uwi Bangkulit/43, Uwi Biru/58 and Uwi Legi/66, based on their highest carbohydrates and protein content, and the lowest fat content.

Roots of orchids have important role for survival, adaptation, water and nutrient absorption, and as a place of symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi. The present study aimed to investigate the morphology, anatomy, and mycorrhizal status in roots of orchids of Sempu Island, Indonesia (Ascochilus emarginatus, Taeniophyllum biocellatum, and Thrixspermum subulatum), in relation to their adaptation to their habitat of coastal forests of Sempu Island. These orchids have different morphological characters; Ascochilus emarginatus and Thrixspermum subulatum are leafy orchids, while Taeniophyllum biocellatum is a leafless orchid. The results showed that all orchids have small number of velamen layers (1-2 layers) as an adaptation to the relatively humid condition. Cell wall thickenings of velamen, exodermis, and endodermis are structural adaptation of all orchids to the relatively high intensity of illumination, to reduce water loss because of transpiration. Mycorrhizal fungi colonization which is important for nutrient acquisition occurs in cortical cells. All orchids have differences in their cell shape, size, and specific characters, such as chloroplasts. The leafless Taeniophyllum biocellatum has many chloroplasts in the cortical root cells that support the photosynthesis process, while A. emarginatus and T. subulatum are lack of chloroplasts in their cortical root cells.

Abinawanto, Sophian A, Effendi PS, Siswantining T. 2018. Short Communication: Variation in vocal cord morphometric characters among dangdut type and the slow type Gaga Chicken. Biodiversitas 19: 1902-1905. Gaga chicken is one of the ornamental chicken originating from Sidendreng and Rapang (South Sulawesi). Gaga chicken has a unique crowing sound, like people laugh. Gaga’s chicken which has a long and fast crowing sound known as the dangdut type, while those with short and slow crowing sound are known as slow type. Study was conducted in Pinrang (South Sulawesi), where one of the pure strains are located. Samples were collected from Kanie, Bullo, Macege, Rappang, and Sidenreng. The purpose of study was to determine the characteristics of the vocal cord morphometric among the dangdut type and the slow type of Gaga’s chicken. All of the morphometric data were recorded and analyzed by Mean Test, using SPSS (version 22). The results showed that there was no significant difference ( = 0.010) among the dangdut type and the slow type based on syrinx morphometric. Meanwhile, according to the trachea muscle morphometric the results showed that the trachea muscle of dangdut type was longer than the slow type ( < 0.010). In addition, either the right or the left trachea muscle of dangdut type was longer than either the right or the left trachea muscle of the slow type ( < 0.010).

Bawean Island has attractive biodiversity and natures that are potential for development. The present study was aimed to investigate (i) the potential of Bawean Island's natural resources for ecotourism (ii) local knowledge of Bawean people on plant diversity and uses, and (iii) the potential of plants for commodities supporting ecotourism development. The potential of Bawean Island for ecotourism was examined based on data of attractive natural environments, while the local knowledge was obtained by interviewing Bawean people and observation of the daily practical use of plants. Various plants were analysed for their potential as commodities suppporting ecotourism. The results showed that Bawean Island has high potential resources for ecotourism. It is ranging from beaches, mountains, rivers, plant diversity, and endemic animals. The local knowledge showed that Bawean has plant diversity with various potential uses. There were 81 plant species traditionally used by Bawean people, including plants for foods (40 species), ornamental plants (15 species), timbers for housings and buildings (9 species), medicines (8 species), natural dyes (4 species), and other uses (5 species). Various plant species potential as the commodity supporting ecotourism development included Abelmoschus manihot (traditional food), Diospyros discolor (fresh local fruit), Nypa fruticans and Pandanus tectorius (local handicrafts), Phalaenopsis amabilis (ornamental plants or cutting flowers). The use of plants in Bawean Island needs to consider the sustainable use of plants and conservation approaches.

Abstract. Nurfadilah S. 2017. Population study of Peristylus goodyeroides (Orchidaceae) in five habitats and implication for its conservation. Biodiversitas 18: 1084-1091. Many orchids have experienced population decline because of natural and anthropogenic disturbances and the remaining populations occur in fragmented habitats. The present study aimed to investigate (i) population of a terrestrial orchid, Peristylus goodyeroides (D. Don) Lindl., in terms of its demography, population size, and plant size, and (ii) characteristics of vegetation surrounding P. goodyeroides and its effect on the population size of P. goodyeroides (iii) environmental factors (litter thickness and soil pH) and their effects on the plant size of P. goodyeroides in five habitats. Number of individuals, plant height and leaf area of P. goodyeroides, surrounding vegetation, litter thickness, and soil pH were recorded in each habitat. The results showed that there was variation in the demographic structure of the population of P. goodyeroides in five habitats. Furthermore, three habitats of P. goodyeroides had small population size and small plant size compared to the other two habitats that had relatively larger population size and plant size. Small population size was correlated with taller vegetation surrounding P. goodyeroides reducing light availability for P. goodyeroides, while small plant size was related to sparse and thin litter cover causing low soil moisture and lacking nutrient availability for P. goodyeroides. Soil pH between habitats was similar and did not affect P. Goodyeroides plant size. The present study has implication on the conservation of P. goodyeroides for the improvement of population performance for the increase in population size and plant size for the species survival.

Introduction: Epiphytic orchids are an integral component of forest ecosystems that contributes to a high proportion of plant diversity. Host trees are a natural habitat requirement of epiphytic orchids on which the orchids live on. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of epiphytic orchid and the host tree in a secondary forest of Coban Trisula (the Trisula waterfall) in a Mount Bromo area. Two line transects were used, with each line transect of 150 m x 10 m was divided into 15 plots (the size of each plot 10 m x 10 m), resulting in the total number of 30 sampling plots at the study site. Data (the species name and number of individuals of epiphytic orchid, the species name and number of individuals of host tree species, vertical distribution of the epiphytic orchids on the host tree, and environmental factors (temperature and relative humidity) were recorded in each plot.     Results: There were 15 epiphytic orchid species, 13 genera in the secondary forest of Coban Trisula. Appendicula angustifolia was the most abundant epiphytic orchid species (Relative abundance of orchids; % Fo=52,4%), followed by Trichotosia annulata (% Fo=29,9%). There were nine host tree species on which the orchids attached. Number of host tree species of each orchid species varied, from one to five host tree species. Trichotosia annulata was an orchid that had the highest number of host tree species; 5 species). Castanopsis javanica, was a host tree on which the highest number of individual orchids attached (Ji/Jt= 589,5), followed by Engelhardia spicata (Ji/Jt=425,67). The greatest abundance of epiphytic orchids was on zone 3 and zone 4. Mean temperature was 22,2⁰C, and relative humidity was 72,8 % at the site.Conclusion:  The secondary forest of Coban Trisula had a diverse epiphytic orchid species and the host tree species. Management of orchid conservation is required to protect the diversity of orchids and the host tree species in the secondary forest in Coban Trisula from the potential human disturbances as Coban Trisula is one of tourist destinations. Key words: diversity, epiphytic orchid, host tree, secondary forest, Coban TrisulaÂ

Besiq Bermai Forest is part of Kalimantan forests known for vast plant diversity. The present study aimed to investigate flora diversity, composition, and ecology in Besiq Bermai Forest to support the management of biodiversity and forest conservation. Thirteen plots were established with different sizes of plots (100 m x 20 m plots for trees; 40 m x 5 m plots for saplings; and 5 m x 5 m plots for understory). Data recorded included plant species name and individual number of each plant species. Data analysed were Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Relative Density, Relative Frequency, Relative Dominance and Important Value Index. The principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to determine relationship between edaphic components and flora occurrence. The results showed that there were 93 species of trees (belonging to 48 genera and 22 families), 112 species of saplings (belonging to 62 genera and 43 families), and 48 species of understory (belonging to 28 genera and 20 families). Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') were 6.05, 6.25 and 3.26 for tree, saplings and understory, respectively. The most common family for tree and saplings in the forest ecosystem in this area was Dipterocarpaceae (Shorea spp). Species of tree with the highest importance value index were Dillenia excelsa, Syzygium sp. and Shorea parvifolia. The highest importance value index for species of saplings were Macaranga triloba and Shorea parvifolia; and for species of understory were Phrynium jagorianum. Ecological (edaphic) factors affecting the occurence and establishment of flora in Bermai forest were total N and C/N ratio. The present study has implication for the management of biodiversity and forest conservation.