On the "Seidenfaden collection" and the multiple roles botanical gardens can play in orchid conservation

Abstract

AbstrAct. Using the "Seidenfaden collection" in Copenhagen as an example, we address the common view that botanical garden collections of orchids are important for conservation. Seidenfaden collected live orchids all over Thailand from 1957 to 1983 and created a traditional collection for taxonomic research, characterized by high taxonomic diversity and low intraspecific variation. Following an extended period of partial neglect, we managed to set up a five-year project aimed at expanding the collection with a continued focus on taxonomic diversity, but widening the geographic scope to tropical Asia. Since its establishment, the collection has contributed significantly to ex situ conservation and to research-based development of powerful tools for improving in situ conservation-related decisions and priorities. The collection has been, and still is, an important basis for taxonomic and floristic research which has enabled treatment of the Orchidaceae in the Thai red-list. However, the primary focus of our project has shifted to micro-propagation, DNA-barcoding and phylogenetic analysis. The close link between collection-based research and conservation is remarkable and probably applicable to plant collections in botanical gardens in general. Thus, if the collections are managed and used properly, they have great potential for contributing to conservation in many different ways.

The effects of hurricanes on the stochastic population growth of the endemic epiphytic orchid Broughtonia cubensis living in Cuba

“…Management strategies must lead to the rapid recovery and restoration of populations after a disturbance occurs, including transfer of orchids from felled trees to standing trees (Crain et al, 2019;Tremblay, 2008). Additionally, the translocation of a reservoir of adult individuals cultivated and preserved in orchid nurseries and botanic gardens could be considered; this would provide both seed and in vitro cultivation to ensure a sufficient individual stock (Gale, Fischer, Cribb, & Fay, 2018;Pedersen, Find, Petersen, & Seberg, 2018). Successful artificial reintroduction of a small epiphytic endemic orchid obtained through in vitro cultivation in southern México, Barkeria whartoniana (C.…”

Orchid conservation: how can we meet the challenges in the twenty-first century?

“…Together, these publications represent a rich resource for conservation and should be consulted by anyone with an interest in orchid conservation. In their review, Swarts and Dixon ( 2009b ) focused on the role of botanic gardens in supporting orchid conservation scientifically and horticulturally, and Pedersen et al ( 2018 ) stressed the close link between collection-based research and conservation.…”

Diversity and morphological relationship of orchid species (Orchidaceae) in Bangka Island, Indonesia

“…The need for orchid conservation is critical to leaving a rich and fascinating orchid legacy for future generations (Fay 2018). Pedersen et al (2018) emphasized the intimate connection between collection-based research and conservation, whereas Swarts and Dixon (2009) concentrated on the importance of botanic gardens in promoting orchid conservation scientifically and horticulturally. Studying the habitat preferences of orchids is important for orchid conservation efforts, because orchids have a wide range of habitats and environmental factors (Irawati 2012).…”