Epiphytic Orchids of Kericho Forest, Kenya

Aim: The study assessed the distribution of epiphytic orchids in selected trails of Kericho forest Kenya

Study Design: Belt transects and timed random walks.

Place and Duration of Study: Field survey was conducted in September, 2013 in Kericho forest, located in Rift Valley next to one of the main water towers in Kenya, the Mau Forest.

Methodology: Six belt transects of 10 × 30 m were established at each of the portions along the meandered trails. The belt transects were divided into intervals representing zones and each treated as a plot. The number of individual orchid species were counted and recorded. Apart from transects, timed random walks were also taken to increase the number of orchid species recorded during the survey.

Results: A total of eighteen species representing nine genera and one Habenaria sp were recorded and collected. The largest number of orchids occurred at an altitude of 2123 m above sea level with over 66% being restricted to a single location. The distribution was affected by logging, charcoal burning, conversion of forest land for agricultural use and quarrying for road construction.

Conclusion: Conservation strategies should therefore focus on minimizing loss and fragmentation of orchid habitats particularly the destruction of the moist forest habitats, host and associated indigenous plants.