integrated conservation of orchids: a pathway...

Florida Orchid Conservation Conference 2011

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Presented By:

Scott Stewart, Ph.D.

Director of Career Education

Director of Horticulture and Agriculture Programs

Kankakee Community College

INTEGRATED CONSERVATION OF ORCHIDS:

A PATHWAY TO RESULTS

TODAY’S DISCUSSION….

• Defining the concept of orchid conservation

• Orchid conservation of the past

• Today in orchid conservation

• Case studies

• Tomorrow in orchid conservation


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DEFINING ORCHID CONSERVATION

What is the definition

of orchid conservation?

DEFINING ORCHID CONSERVATION

A (working) DEFINITION OF ORCHID CONSERVATION:

1. Identification and prioritization of real and potential threats to orchids

2. Development and implementation of plans to curtail, change, or

counteract threats

3. Maintenance of orchids as independent, reproducing organisms in

natural or managed environments


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A BRIEF HISTORY OF ORCHID CONSERVATION….

ORCHID CONSERVATION:

THE PAST

• Singular effort and singular

focus

• Conservation via propagation

• Implications for the next steps

• Limited practical (conservation)

application

• Proliferation of orchid “zoos”

(ex situ conservation)


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THE PRESENT

What efforts characterize orchid

conservation today?


THE PRESENT

• Continuation of past efforts


• Use of molecular genetic techniques

• Genetic diversity and molecular phylogenetics

• Ecological function

• Of the orchid, of the fungi, and of the pollinators

• Integrated conservation practices

• Slow to catch on in the United States


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THE PRESENT

• Continuation of past efforts


• Use of molecular genetic techniques

• Genetic diversity and molecular phylogenetics

• Ecological function focus

• Of the orchid, of the fungi, and of the pollinators

• Integrated conservation practices

• Slow to catch on in the United States


INTEGRATED CONSERVATION

Species Recovery

Ecology & Distribution

Mycology

Pollination Biology

Propagation Science

Genetic Diversity

Plant Reintroduction

(After Stewart 2007)


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INTEGRATED CONSERVATION

• Trans-discipline approach

• Draws a complete picture

• High practical applicability

• Focus on ecological

interconnections ? ?

INTEGRATED CONSERVATION:

CASE STUDY #1 – Eulophia alta, wild coco

• Locally abundant in South Florida

• Commercial value

• Found along wet roadsides and

damp open woodlands

• Threats include: urbanization and

altered hydrology (hydroperiod)

• Conservation goal: long-term

population sustainability and

habitat management BMP


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• Asymbiotic propagation

• Nutrient requirements

• Growth and development

• Corm formation

• Photoperiod

Developmental Stage

Stage 0 Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5

(%)

0

20

40

60

80

100

P723

KC

MM

1/2 MS

VW

A

B

C

D

E

A

B

A

C

D

A

CB B B



• Symbiotic germination

• Mycobiont preference

• Growth and development

• Plant production for reintroduction


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8 Weeks 28 Weeks



• Pollination biology

• Pollination mechanism

• Seed viability

• Population fitness


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• Scientific products:

• Understanding of connection between in vitro vs. in situ nutrient requirements

• Asymbiotic media vs. soil samples

• Identified level of in vitro mycobiont preference in germination

• Identified potential pollination mechanisms

• Seed germination ecology and biology

• Management products:

• Demonstrated need for proper habitat identification and management

• Soil condition, nutrients, and mycobiont

• Hydrology

• Pollinator management

• Mycobiont management (?)



• What’s next?

• Reintroduction studies

• Habitat classification

• Population structure

• Management BMP


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CASE STUDY #2 – CAYMAN ISLANDS

• Cayman Island Orchid Society and Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park • Darwin Initiative grant (2005)

• Program objective • Develop orchid conservation

program for all 26 native species to the islands

• Integrate orchid program with island-wide plant conservation programs



• Established program and propagation lab (2005) • Orchids initial focus

• Seed propagation training (2006)

• Shadehouse construction (2006)

• Seed germination and tissue culture of other native plants

• Integrated conservation concepts used throughout program


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• Initial conservation focus: national flower

• Myrmecophila thomsoniana var. thomsoniana – Grand Cayman

• Myrmecophila thomsoniana var. minor – Cayman Brac and Little

Cayman




THE PRESENT

With all this ongoing effort,

are we doing enough?

Absolutely not!


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THE PRESENT

• Habitat degradation and loss continues

• Loss of biodiversity continues

• Old conservation mindsets continue

• Ignorance continues


THE FUTURE

What is next for orchid conservation? What is on the horizon for orchid

conservation?


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THE FUTURE

• Emerging technologies being applied to orchid conservation

• DNA barcoding technology

• Advanced molecular techniques

• Cryoperservation technologies

• Advanced integrated conservation


THE CHALLENGE

LET’S NOT FORGET THE END GOAL:

The preservation of self-sustaining orchid populations in natural and

managed environments


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THE CHALLENGE

THE CHALLENGE TO US:

… to recognize the advantages and limitations of orchid propagation as

conservation

… to be prepared to shift our thinking about the value of orchids in

natural and managed environments

… to be prepared to embrace and test integrated conservation as the

conservation pathway to results

… to keep the blinders off

… to be cautious of the word NO

The story of orchid conservation begins now and with you…

Thank you for your time!

integrated conservation of orchids: a pathway...

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