Research priorities and future directions in conservation of wild orchids in Sri Lanka: a review

Abstract

Together with Western Ghats, Sri Lanka is a biodiversity hotspot amongst the 35 regions known worldwide. Considering the Sri Lankan orchids, 70.6% of the orchid species, including 84% of the endemics, are categorised as threatened. The distribution of the family Orchidaceae is mostly correlated with the distribution pattern of the main bioclimatic zones which is governed by the amount and intensity of rainfall and altitude. Habitat deterioration and degradation, clearing of vegetation, intentional forest fires and spread of invasive alien species are significant threats to native species. Illegally collection and exporting of indigenous species has been another alarming issue in the past decades. Protection of native species, increased public awareness, enforcement of legislation and introduction of new propagation techniques would certainly bring a beneficial effect to the native orchid flora. Conduct awareness programs, strengthen existing laws, and reviewing the legal framework related to the native orchid flora could be vital for future conservation. Apart from the identification of new species and their distribution, future research on understanding soil chemical and physical parameters of terrestrial habitats, plant association of terrestrial orchids, phenology patterns and interactions of pollinators, associations with mycorrhiza, effect of invasive alien species and impact of climate change are highlighted.

How Effective Is Environmental Protection for Ensuring the Vitality of Wild Orchid Species? A Case Study of a Protected Area in Italy

“…Invasive alien species also hamper the reproductive success of native species by reducing the population fitness through reduced seed sets, germination rates and seedling establishment [ 68 ]. So, in addition to outcompeting native orchids thanks to their superior competitive ability, IAS can exert a negative impact on orchid reproduction, for example, by producing novel chemical compounds [ 69 ] or by reducing the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi [ 70 , 71 ]. Environmental protection was effective at lowering the threat brought about by herbivory and IAS for sites hosting A. coriophora populations, but not for the sites hosting A. pyramidalis populations.…”

Biodiversity and indigenous knowledge on orchid conservation: Study at a community in Yogyakarta

“…Sri Lanka is a biodiversity hot spot among 35 known regions worldwide, orchids in Sri Lanka supply 70.6% of the world's species, including 84% endemic and categorized as endangered. Habitat decline and degradation, clearing of vegetation, intentional forest fires and the spread of invasive alien species pose significant potential threats to native species [9]. In Indonesia various activities in the form of commercialization of orchids through exhibitions, orchid festivals, community-based, individual-based orchid propagation, as well as awareness of educational institutions, universities, schools, private and government institutions are starting to emerge to plant and preserve orchids in their environment.…”

Impacts of Forest Thinning and White-Tailed Deer Herbivory on Translocation of the Rare Terrestrial Orchid Platanthera integrilabia

“…The Orchidaceous family is experiencing exceptionally high rates of extinction [12,13] with both rarer species [14] and a higher proportion of threatened genera [15] than any other plant family. Habitat specificity is common among orchids, and as a consequence, orchids are generally vulnerable to many forms of habitat disturbance [16][17][18][19][20]. The majority of orchid species are epiphytes and lithophytes, but about 25% are terrestrial [21], a life form that may have especially high risk of extinction [15].…”