Machaerina lamii

Papua has the highest biodiversity of the whole of Indonesia and Mt. Doorman has been identified as an area with an extremely high number of endemics and bizarre forms of plant species (Heads 2001). Threats to Papua biodiversity are mounting rapidly but they are much more prevalent in the lowland forests and coastal areas than in the alpines zones. These threats include large-scale infrastructure projects, such as dams, roads, large-and small-scale mining, and oil and gas development, forest conversion for transmigration and plantation, agriculture, logging and the introduction of exotic species (Rhee 2004). The summit of Mt. Doorman is a remote area of low human footprint although settlements are found slightly further down in the valleys (GIS data, Sanderson et al. 2002). As an alpine species growing close to the summit of Mt. Doorman, it may be directly threatened by climate change and stochastic events such as fires and landslides. Burning for hunting is commonly practised by the locals. The resilience of the taxon to fires and its response to climate change are unknown. Although some alpine sedges (e.g., Carex bigelowii) have showed a positive growth and phenologic response, in the short term, to experiments simulating predicted environmental conditions under various climate change scenarios, there is evidence of upward migration of sedges (e.g., Carex curvula) in the European alps (Theurillat and Guisan 2001, Stenstrom and Jonsdottir 2003, T. Utteridge pers. comm. 2008).

The taxon does not yet occur in a protected area. Although Mt. Doorman has been recognized as an area of high conservation value it has not been registered as a protected area (Rhee et al. 2004). The area of Mt. Doorman is extremely rich in endemic plant species and unique forms (Heads 2001). The ecology and biology of the taxon should be studied and especially its response to climate change and fires. Field surveys on the summit of Mt. Doorman and on adjacent summits should be conducted to determine the range and population of the taxon and subsequent adequate conservation measures for this species. The population should be regularly monitored. If found, seeds should be collected for ex situ and germplasm conservation. The taxon does not benefit from any legal protection in Indonesia.