The Natural Habitat of Orchids

Efforts to preserve the natural habitats of orchids are under way in Costa Rica.

By far, the majority of orchids are native to the tropical regions of Central America and South America, Africa, Madagascar, Asia and New Guinea. The orchid is the national flower of Costa Rica, where it grows in the wild. Deforestation in these areas threatens the flora and fauna that grow in tropical forests. For this reason, tropical forests can be considered endangered, although there are projects dedicated to the preservation of these natural orchid habitats.

Mount Chirripó

Costa Rica’s stunning National Park owes its diversity to its wide altitude range and the unique microclimates of the Pacific and Caribbean slopes. In this tropical haven are graceful tree ferns, vines, streams and bamboo. The mid-altitude cloud forest is home to an abundance of moisture seeking plants such as bromeliads and orchids.

Vegetation

Biologists identify several layers of stratification in a tropical forest. The highest canopy contains deciduous umbrella-like trees that have small leaves because they are exposed to dry winds. In the lower portions there is sparse plant growth.

Geology

Present day Costa Rica and Panama are the result of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The resulting land bridge connecting North America and South America is responsible for the amazingly high amount of biodiversity in this small area. The bridge facilitated the movement of plant and animal species both north and south.

Epiphytes

Various plants, including orchids, develop strategies to reach the sunlight in a tropical forest. Epiphytes—or air plants—grow on branches high in the trees, using the limbs only for support, tapping the air for moisture. Woody vines grow up tree trunks, while green-stemmed plants like philodendron remain in the lower portions.

Cloud Forest

A cloud forest exists because of the wet tropical winds that blow over steep mountain slopes. It is different from a rain forest because most of the ambient moisture comes from the clouds, with little amount from rain. Hundreds of plants such as orchids depend on the continual mist from the clouds for their survival.

Preservation

In 2002, a team of researchers and volunteers planted 4,200 tree saplings on property adjacent to Chirripó National Park to spearhead environmental goals and establish educational programs. One of them is the Cloudbridge reserve, home to animals like the spider monkey, but also to many plant species, including orchids. The project aims to reforest a gap in the cloud forest adjoining the Chirripó River and the mountain range. The Cloudbridge reserve comprises a significant area of the Chirripó forest of about 700 acres.

References

• Cloudbridge Nature Reserve: The Cloudbridge Project

Resources

• "The Complete Guide to Orchids"; Ortho Books; 2005