Agricultural Journal
ISSN: Online 1994-4616ISSN: Print 1816-9155
Abstract
The Western Ghats of India, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and recognized as one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biodiversity, support a rich assemblage of wild orchid species. Many of these orchids are endemic, epiphytic or lithophytic and ecologically specialized. However, seasonal extremes‐especially the prolonged dry spells during summer‐impose considerable physiological stress, threatening their survival and distribution. This study focuses on examining the seasonal survival strategies of select orchid species in the montane tropical ecosystems of Wayanad, Kerala, with a particular emphasis on their adaptive mechanisms during the dry season from March to June 2023. Field surveys and environmental monitoring were conducted across multiple elevation gradients, ranging from semi‐evergreen mid‐altitude forests to moist deciduous hill slopes. The primary species investigated were Rhynchostylis retusa, Cymbidium bicolor, and Dendrobium aqueum. Observations included variations in morphological traits, habitat preference, microclimatic conditions, and species distribution. The study identified key adaptive responses such as leaf succulence, pseudobulb water retention, reduced transpiration via thick cuticles and seasonal dormancy behaviors that enhance drought resilience. Root adaptations‐such as velamen thickness and root branching patterns‐were also associated with water conservation efficiency. Interestingly, orchids located in canopy‐shaded zones and riparian microhabitats exhibited higher survival rates, highlighting the role of microclimatic buffers in species persistence. The findings also revealed that anthropogenic pressures, particularly deforestation, temperature rise and habitat fragmentation, further intensified physiological stress on orchid populations, reducing their adaptive capacity over time. This study emphasizes the need for microhabitat‐level conservation planning, promotion of climate‐resilient cultivation techniques and the involvement of local communities in biodiversity monitoring. Through its integrative approach, this research provides crucial insights into how wild orchids respond to climate variability in a fragile montane environment and proposes ecologically sound strategies for their conservation under future climate scenarios.
How to cite this article:
V.U. Sabu and Jincy Paulose. Adaptive Strategies of Wild Orchids to Summer Drought Stress in the Montane Ecosystems of the Western Ghats Wayanad.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/makaj.2025.1.4
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1816-9155/makaj.2025.1.4