Terrestrial orchid conservation in the age of extinction

Abstract

In response to threats to orchid species, integrated conservation approaches have been adopted (including ex situ and translocation principles) in the SWAFR with the result that a significant, multidisciplinary approach is under development to facilitate conservation of some of the most threatened taxa and build expertise to carry out assisted migration to new sites. Here the past two decades of orchid conservation research in the SWAFR and the role of research-based approaches for managing effective orchid conservation in a global biodiversity hotspot are reviewed.

Pollinator sharing by the sexually deceptive Green-comb Spider Orchids, Caladenia phaeoclavia, C. parva and C. villosissima (Orchidaceae: Caladeniinae): taxonomic considerations

“…4) in October and November in 1992, 1995, 1996to 2009. Most baiting was conducted as single species tests (Bower 1996) in which a single set of 3 flowers sampled from the same orchid population and species was presented by itself at a location where pollinator responses were obtained.…”

“…No differentiation was revealed between allopatric species in the complex or species with confirmed one-to-one pollinator relationships. Patterns of low molecular phylogenetic diversity and high morphological similarity among related species are common in orchids in general (Phillips et al 2012) and sexually deceptive orchids in particular, for example Ophrys (Soliva et al 2001, Soliva andWidmer 2003), Chiloglottis (Mant et al 2005) and Caladenia (Swartz et al 2009). Overall, the sharing of the same vector species among ten reticulata complex species combined with evidence of very low genetic divergence suggested they belong to the same biological species and most likely represent an example of taxonomic over-splitting (Swartz et al 2014).…”

A touch of orchids from Samos (Greece)

“…Robbirt et al 2014). The greatest challenge facing anybody interested in these charismatic plants is the vanishing of valuable orchid species in human-sculpted landscapes (Swarts, and Dixon 2009). Europe has now less than 1% land remaining in intact wilderness vegetation (Gillespie 2013).…”

Asymbiotic in vitro germination and seed quality assessment of Australian terrestrial orchids

“…Australia's temperate terrestrial orchids represent one of our most threatened plant groups with many taxa restricted to bushland remnants, road sides and unprotected bushland (Batty et al 2001a;Swarts and Dixon 2009a). In situ protection and management of severely denuded or isolated populations is not always adequate to ensure species survival (Seaton et al 2010) and must be integrated with ex situ conservation programs such as plant propagation and seed banking (Swarts and Dixon 2009a;Volis and Blecher 2010).…”

“…In situ protection and management of severely denuded or isolated populations is not always adequate to ensure species survival (Seaton et al 2010) and must be integrated with ex situ conservation programs such as plant propagation and seed banking (Swarts and Dixon 2009a;Volis and Blecher 2010). The long-term storage of orchid seed is an important ex situ strategy currently employed by many Botanic Gardens around the world as they aim to conserve the natural genetic diversity of their wild species (Crane et al, 2009;Swarts and Dixon 2009a, b;Hosomi et al 2012).…”