Orchid species diversity across a forest disturbance gradient in west Mau forest, Kenya.

ABSTRACT: Orchidaceae is one of the most diverse and widespread groups of flowering plants. Despite their immense ecological and socio-economic value, their spatial distribution across forest disturbance gradient is not well understood, particularly in tropical montane forests. This study assessed the influence of forest degradation on orchid species richness and abundance in West Mau Forest, Kenya. Stratified systematic sampling was adopted across three different disturbance regimes consisting of relatively intact forest, moderately disturbed forest and highly degraded forest. A total of five orchid species were recorded from nine host-tree species. The intact forest had seven host tree species with five orchid species. The moderately degraded forest had four host-tree species with two orchid speci

SUBMITTER: N Mirioba J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11305582 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature