TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Mt. Merapi National Park (TNGM) carried out identification of orchids thriving on the slopes of Mt. Merapi.
TNGM Forest Ecosystem Controller (PEH) Dhani Suryawan stated that it is not easy because they have to traverse rough terrain. "Especially in the areas affected by Mt. Merapi eruption in 2010," he said on Saturday (9/9).
He explained that the areas with abundant orchids are situated on south Merapi slopes. "A lot of orchids thrive in Cangkringan District, it is pretty high," he added.
He said identifying orchids that have been discovered is also difficult. "Because to determine the species, the orchids have to be in bloom. If the orchids are not blooming, it is difficult to identify."
Dhany revealed that after the 2010 eruption, his team has performed surveys several times. He said the number of the species increases from 51 to 65 species. Nevertheless, he added, the number of the species has not entirely restored to the original number of 97 species prior to the eruption, and there are potentially new species of orchids after the eruption.
ANTARA