New orchids beautify rainforest ambience

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2405570,00.html

30 new species of orchid bloom in the rainforest

By Lewis Smith, Environment reporter

 

THIRTY new species of orchid have been discovered by conservationists in

previously unexplored tropical rainforests in the Papua New Guinea.

 

The species were uncovered in the Kikori region during a series of

expeditions organised by the WWF as part of its efforts to catalogue the

floral diversity of the area.

 

" The island of New Guinea is a goldmine of orchids, " said Wayne Harris, a

botanist from Queensland Herbarium and one of the world's leading

authorities on the subject.

 

" There are more than 3,000 known species found here. The expeditions have

added significantly to the known floral diversity. Papua New Guinea already

has more recorded orchid species than any other country in the world. "

 

The discoveries were particularly welcome because many species of orchid

have been pushed into extinction in Indonesia.

 

Olo Gebia, an ecologist for WWF, said: " Around 70 species of orchid that

used to exist in the forests of neighbouring Indonesia have become extinct

because of illegal logging, So these recent discoveries are especially good

news. "

 

He added: " The sad reality is that many of the plants in the region,

including those which may contain cures to some of the world's most deadly

diseases, may become extinct before they have even been discovered — this

gives even greater urgency to ensuring the long-term conservation of the

remarkable Kikori region. "

 

Kikori, which includes Lake Kutubu, is internationally recognised for the

diversity of its plant life and has been the focus of several zoological

expeditions by the wildlife organisation since 1998.

 

It is an area rich in plant and animal diversity. Other species found there

include birds of paradise, giant cassowaries and the tree kangaroo.

 

The announcement comes just a week before the official launch of two new

wildlife management areas in the region. They will help to protect the

tropical rainforest areas where the orchids were discovered and are

described by conservationists as an " important step " towards saving the

habitat.

 

More than 20,000 people, from 12 ethnic groups, live in the area.