Plagiostachys sumatrensis

Most of Siberut Island is classified as National Park (Siberut National Park) (Protected Planet 2019). There is also intact forest in other parts of the island.

However, based on experience of conservation work in Singapore (J. Leong-Škorničková pers. comm. 2020), the population could have undergo a reduction; we see population sizes of certain species being reduced even in perfectly protected and undisturbed areas within a decade. Gingers, being herbs, are far more vulnerable to any sudden changes in climate and humidity, etc. than could be shrubs and trees, or changes in population of species linked to them (e.g. the current loose of a species due to recent overpopulation of wild boars, who dig rhizomes and eat them). These kind of threats for example are not perceivable these days by satellite images, and there could be other potential threats that might have affected the species without it being noticed.

Even if there are no perceivable threats, nothing is known about the original populations of this species: it is not know if the species is still there, or how common or rare it is or was, if it is bound to a specific habitat (limestone, particular habitat like stream side etc), nor what its linkages to pollinators and dispersing agents are (J. Leong-Škorničková pers. comm. 2020).

This species has not been recorded by BGCI (2019) to be grown ex situ. It may occur in Siberut National Park.

Although no threats are identified to occur where the species was collected, the only record is from 1924, therefore, research on the current distribution and population are recommended.