@article{MAKHILLAJ202520131772,
    title = {Adaptive Strategies of Wild Orchids to Summer Drought Stress in the Montane Ecosystems of the Western Ghats Wayanad},
    journal = {Agricultural Journal},
    volume = {20},
    number = {1},
    pages = {1-4},
    year = {2025},
    issn = {1816-9155},
    doi = {makaj.2025.1.4},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1816-9155&doi=makaj.2025.1.4},
    author = {V.U. and},
    keywords = {Western ghats, wild orchids, seasonal drought, orchid adaptation, montane forest, rhynchostylis retusa, wayanad, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation},
    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.}
    }