in Sri Lanka - Ministry of Environment

Monaragala, Kokagala and Doluwakanda are examples of such isolated hills. Phalaenopsismysorensis is recorded in such hill sites.ThreatsOrchids have complex and critical relationships with some other species in their habitat, suchas mycorrhizal association in their roots and flower adaptations for the attraction of a specificpollinator. Thus, mainly habitat related threats affect orchid survival.Habitat destruction: Spread of lowland tea cultivation to natural forest habitats significantlyaffect many lowland orchid species in the South Western wet zone.In the montane and submontane areas, forests and grasslands are cleared for vegetablecultivation, this being the main agriculture-based threat. Forest felling for firewood is anothermain issue for orchid survival. In the savannah forest of the Eastern Intermediate zone,encroachment for chena cultivation, illegal settlements and garbage dumping are the mainhabitat related threats to native orchid survival.Direct exploitation: Many showy orchids are collected for their flowers Phaius wallichii (Starorchid), Dendrobium maccarthiae (Vesak orchid), Rhynchostylis retusa (Fox tail), and Vandatessellata are commonly collected by growers and flower enthusiasts. Habenaria crinifera(Naarilatha), Ipsea speciosa (Nagamaru ala), Anoectochilus spp. (Wanaraja), Zeuxine spp.(Iruraja), are subjected to removal from the wild for medicinal purposes and due variousmythological beliefs connected to each species.Impact of invasive species: The spread of invasive species has created a considerable impactfor many orchid-rich habitats. Impact of Clusia rosea has been demonstrated as a highlyeffective invader threatening lower montane orchid habitats. Presently, around Ginigathhena,Hantana and Dolosbage and part of Peak Wilderness can be considered as a high impactareas. Similarly, in Rakwana hills, Psidium cattleianum spreading as monostands showssimilar habitat alternation. Invasion of Panicum maximum is one of the main threats facing thegrassland and savannah orchids.Pollution: Most species of the family are highly sensitive to environmental changes. Theexcessive use of agro chemicals is believed to have a considerable impact on the survival ofthe orchid populations. Mainly fungicides destroy the mycorrhizal fungi, and use of insecticideincreases harmful impact on orchid pollinators.The present National Red List summarizes how orchids are affected by all of the abovecombination of threats mentioned. Four species likely to be extinct (CR (PE)) have not beenrecorded for a considerable time but their possible habitats still remain to some extent. 16species are critically endangered for future extinction (CR), 54 species are categorized asendangered (EN) in the wild, and 60 spp. fall in the vulnerable category (VU). Most importantly,12 species could not be assessed due to uncertainty of present taxonomic positions or lack ofknowledge about their other ecological parameters (DD).202