Burttianthus purseglovei

More than half of the natural habitat of the Borneo lowland rainforest ecoregion has been lost or degraded. Commercial logging and the conversion of natural forests to oil palm, rubber, and industrial timber plantations present serious threats. These land-use changes have also increased the prevalence and destructiveness of fires. Some high montane forests have escaped extensive degradation as a result of isolation and rugged terrain. Other forests are often extremely fragmented (WWF 2001). In pristine forests, less than 2% of sunlight reaches the forest floor. In recently logged forests this can increase to 90%, which in turn increases temperature and reduces humidity. This element of habitat destruction may particularly affect this species as records are from moist areas near rivers and under the shade of trees. Drainage systems required by large-scale oil palm plantations lower water tables and impact neighbouring forests and river systems, and rivers in Sarawak have problems with sedimentation largely due to timber-harvesting activities in the area. Both these threats have the potential to affect populations of this species. Due to the gregarious nature of this species, a single isolated incident, such as logging or drainage in one area, may cause the death of a large number of individuals. Satellite imagery shows some areas, where this species has been recorded, to be crossed by logging access roads. The population in Tatau is noted to be somewhat impacted by acacia plantations (P. Boyce pers. comm. 2013)

At least ten herbarium collections are reported from Gunung Mulu National Park (P. Boyce pers. comm. 2013). The other known collection localities do not appear to fall within protected areas, however, it is reported that the largest populations are within fully protected areas (P. Boyce pers. comm. 2013). No other conservation measures are known to be in place for this species. The population has been monitored in Gunung Mulu National Park (Boyce pers.comm. 2013). Continued research into the ecology, habitat status and threats to this species is recommended and monitoring of population numbers and range to detect any future decline. The plant is grown ex situ in Kuching. It is recommended that seed of this species is collected and stored as part of ex situ conservation measures.