#Lake Toba – Hariara Institute

Conserving North Sumatra’s Rare and Endemic Tien Orchid, Cymbidium hartinahianum

admin — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 12:58:19 +0000

The Ibu Tien orchid (Cymbidium hartinahianum) is a rare and beautiful endemic orchid species of North Sumatra, Indonesia, named in honor of Raden Ayu Siti Hartinah, the wife of the country’s second president.
Conservation efforts have become increasingly critical as the orchid’s population declines; during a 2010 expedition, only one seedling was found in the wild, highlighting its vulnerable status.
The successful reintroduction of this orchid into its natural habitat is complicated by its reliance on specific mycorrhizal fungi, which are essential for nutrient absorption and may only exist in its original ecosystem.
Despite being listed as a protected species, the orchid’s survival is threatened by habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and infrastructure development, underscoring the urgent need for local community engagement in conservation efforts.

Discovery and Characteristics of Tien Orchid

In 1976, two indonesian scientists discovered a remarkable orchid species, Cymbidium hartinahianum. The plant is known locally as ‘Anggrek Ibu Tien’ in recognition of the wife of Indonesia’s second president, Raden Ayu Siti Hartinah. This endemic species thrives in the highlands of North Sumatra, specifically near Lake Toba within the village of Baniara, Samosir Regency.

The terrestrial orchid flourishes at altitudes between 1,700 and 2,700 meters above sea level. It’s leaves are ribbon-shaped with pointed tips, measuring around 50 to 60 cm. The flowers are star-shaped, with thick, waxy petals and sepals of almost equal size, giving them a robust structure. They bloom in shades of greenish-yellow to light brown, with distinct dark markings near the center, making them visually striking. The orchid’s labellum, or lip, is adorned with intricate patterns and a vibrant contrast of colors, which are key for attracting pollinators in its natural habitat.

The Endemic Orchid (Cymbidium hartinahianum) In Sibuatan Mountain, North Sumatera, Indonesia. Photo taken from Wikemedia Commons.

Unlike many other orchids, Cymbidium hartinahianum is adapted to thrive in the cooler, open areas of Sumatra’s highlands, making it highly specialized to its native environment. Despite its stunning appearance and unique characteristics, this orchid faces severe conservation challenges due to habitat loss, making it one of the most endangered orchids in the region.

Conservation in Action

Conservationist Dr. Richa Kusuma Wati from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) highlights the increasing rarity of Cymbidium hartinahianum in its natural habitat. In 2010, the Samosir Botanical Garden made efforts to collect samples of this orchid from Partukko Naginjang Village, but despite extensive searches, only one small seedling was discovered. This finding underscores the critical situation facing the species.

While there is an urgent need for collective action to conserve this rare orchid, many locals remain unaware of its significance, which can lead to detrimental activities. For instance, a major reason for the orchid’s decline is its misidentification as common grass, resulting in neglect and habitat destruction. Educating the community about the orchid’s value is crucial to preventing such harmful actions.

Reintroducing this orchid into the wild is a complex task that requires meticulous planning. Dr. Richa Kusuma Wati explains that successful reintroduction hinges on recreating the specific soil and environmental conditions found in its original habitat. Furthermore, engaging the local community is essential; villagers must understand the importance of the orchid, as their support is vital to ensuring that reintroduced populations are not neglected and can thrive once more.

Challenges of Conservation and Reintroduction Efforts

Efforts to conserve the Ibu Tien orchid are not limited to its natural habitat. Teams at Bogor and Cibodas Botanical Gardens, located on the island of Java, have been working on acclimatizing the orchid in controlled environments. This process involves carefully transitioning the plant from lab-grown conditions back into the wild. Unfortunately, these efforts have faced setbacks, as the orchid struggles to survive outside it’s native environment.

Researchers dividing seed samples into bottles in the laboratory. Photo from Barita News Lumban Butan.

Emerzon Siadari, a field staff member from the Samosir Botanical Garden, explained that the collected seedling has been nurtured in a pot for seven years but still hasn’t flowered. One critical factor in the orchid’s ability to thrive is its reliance on a specific type of mycorrhiza, a fungus that forms a symbiotic relationship with the plant. This fungus is essential for nutrient absorption, and it is suspected that it may only be found in the orchid’s original habitat. Without this specific mycorrhiza, the orchid’s chances of successful growth and reproduction in non-native environments are significantly diminished.

A 7-year-old Ibu Tien orchid, grown from a seedling found in Baneara Village, cultivated at Samosir Botanical Garden. Photo by Barita News Lumbanbatu.

Cymbidium hartinahianum is listed as a protected species (according to Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 106 of 2018), highlighting its ecological significance and the need for conservation. Despite legal protection, the orchid’s habitat in Baniara Village is facing serious threats due to forest conversion for agriculture and other land uses. The encroachment of agricultural practices not only disrupts the delicate ecosystem but also leads to the loss of biodiversity, impacting not just the orchid but other native flora and fauna.

Additionally, the expansion of settlements and infrastructure in the area exacerbates habitat fragmentation, making it increasingly challenging for the orchid to survive. To ensure the survival of this rare species, it is crucial to implement effective conservation strategies that involve local communities, promote sustainable land use practices, and raise awareness about the importance of protecting this unique orchid and its habitat.

A Call for Conservation Support

The plight of the Cymbidium hartinahianum serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving endemic species and their habitats. For conservation students, researchers, and donors, this species offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful conservation efforts aimed at saving one of North Sumatra’s botanical treasures.

Supporting projects within the Hariara Institute’s Lake Toba Conservation Initiative can make a significant difference. Together, we can protect these delicate ecosystems and ensure that endangered species like the Ibu Tien orchid thrive for generations to come.

Written by Charlotte Gresham

Weaving the History of Toba: From Ancient Volcanic Eruptions to a UNESCO Global Geopark

admin — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 11:17:30 +0000

Lake Toba was formed from the caldera of an ancient volcano, which last erupted about 74,000 years ago. The eruption spanned thousands of kilometers, from the Indian subcontinent to southern China.
Lake Toba holds a wealth of biodiversity, from the rare Batak fish (Neollissochilus thienemannie) to the horn-nosed lizard (Harpesaurus modiglianii Vinciguerra), which was recently rediscovered after 130 years.
Myths and legends about Lake Toba also thrive among the local community. These stories personify the creation of Lake Toba and Samosire island in the lakes centre.
Environmental degradation around Lake Toba has prompted the designation of the Toba Caldera area as a Global Geopark, which has been established since 2020. Management challenges are now a focus for stakeholders.

A Brief History of Lake Toba

Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in Southeast Asia, sits at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level in North Sumatra. Covering an area of 1,130 square kilometres, the lake stretches approximately 100 kilometres in length and 30 kilometres in width, with depths reaching up to 508 meters.

A scenic veiw of Lake Toba. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

The ancient Toba volcano erupted around 74,000 years ago, in one of the largest known supervolcanic eruptions (Petraglia & Korisettar, 2011). The volcanic ash covered vast areas, from the Arabian Sea to southern China, making it even more powerful than the Tambora or Krakatoa eruptions.

The impact of the Toba eruption extends beyond geology. Paleoanthropologists, archaeologists, and geneticists study its effects on human evolution and the distribution of Homo sapiens. This period also saw humans coexisting with other species such as Neanderthals, Denisovans, and Homo floresiensis. The eruption’s climatic impact may have even influenced the decline of various Homo species.

The existence of Toba as an ancient volcano was first revealed by Dutch geologist Reinout Willem van Bemmelen in 1939. His research found pumice stones around Lake Toba and rhyolitic ash dating back to the same period as Toba’s rocks in Malaysia and India. Further research by Craig Alan Chesner and John Westgate in the 1990’s confirmed that Toba’s ash spread worldwide.

Biodiversity of Lake Toba

Lake Toba’s unique geology fosters rich biodiversity. The endangered Batak fish (Neollissochilus thienemannie) is native to the lake and its rivers, breeding in clear water sources. In 2021, the government listed this fish as a protected species due to its alarming population decline.

The Lake also holds a rich diversity of amphibian species, including the horn-nosed lizard (Harpesaurus modiglianii Vinciguerra) which was rediscovered in 2020 after being declared extinct in 1891.

An illustration of the Holotype male specimen of a horn-nosed lizard (Harpesaurus modigliani) taken from Vinciguerra D. (1933). “Descrizione di una nuova specie di Harpesaurus di Sumatra”. Annali del Museo civico di storia naturale di Genova 56: 355–357.

Additionally, Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium), a spice endemic to North Sumatra and commonly used in Batak cuisine, thrives in the high-altitude regions surrounding the lake.

Cultural Heritage and Legends

Several ethnic groups live around Lake Toba, including the Batak Toba, Karo, Simalungun, and Pakpak. Their culture emphasizes togetherness and openness to newcomers, reflected in their welcoming greetings: “Horas Jala Gabe” (Toba), “Mejuah-juah Kita Kerena” (Karo), and “Njuah Juah” (Pakpak).

Local legends add to the lake’s mystique. One story tells of a man named Toba who married a beautiful girl named Putri, who was a fish cursed by a god. They had a son together, who was named Samosir. When Toba revealed Putri’s secret, she and Samosir disappeared. The legend says that Toba’s tears formed Lake Toba with Samosir Island in its centre.

Landsat satellite photo of Lake Toba with Samosir Island in its centre. Sourced from NASA.

Environmental Degradation and Conservation of Lake Toba

Despite its ecological richness, Lake Toba faces threats from pollution, industrial waste, and invasive species. For example, the water hyacinth weed covers many parts of the lake due to its uncontrolled growth. Such challenges underpin the importance of conservation efforts to preserve the lake’s natural beauty and biodiversity.

The initiative to designate Lake Toba as a UNESCO Global Geopark began with concerns about environmental degradation from deforestation, pollution, industrial development, and mining. The Toba Caldera was officially recognized as a Global Geopark during the 209th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board in Paris, on July 7th 2020.

“Achieving UNESCO Global Geopark status is challenging,” explained geoscientist Jonathan Tarigan.

“First proposed in 2009, it required forming a dedicated team in 2013 and addressing issues like community empowerment and master planning before final approval in 2020,” Jonathon added.

The Toba Caldera Geopark integrates geodiversity, biodiversity, and cultural diversity. It encompasses 16 geological sites across six districts, including Sipisopiso, Tongging, Tuktuk Peninsula, Puncak Uludarat, Sibeabea, Pusuk Buhit, Samosir Island, Uluan Peninsula, Hutaginjang, Bakkara Bay, and Tipang Valley.

To qualify as a Global Geopark, an area must meet global geological standards and focus on three pillars: local community empowerment, education, and conservation.”The development of the Toba Caldera Geopark is not solely about tourism but encompasses various aspects,” Tarigan concluded.

The Future of Lake Toba

Lake Toba is a natural wonder of immense geological, ecological, and cultural significance. Conservation efforts are crucial to preserving its unique biodiversity and heritage. Supporting these initiatives helps to protect Lake Toba and preserve its beauty and history for future generations.

Join us in our mission to conserve Lake Toba. Your support can make a difference in protecting this incredible natural and cultural treasure. Visit our website to learn more about our conservation efforts and how you can help.