Successfully building conservation models for two endangered and rare orchid species

17/07/2024
Recently, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Sinh and his team at the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), successfully established conservation and development models for two endangered, rare, and valuable orchid species: Paphiopedilum callosum (Rchb.f.) Stein and Paphiopedilum appletonianum (Gower) Rolfe. This research significantly contributes to the conservation and development of these endangered, rare and high-value species, enhancing biodiversity conservation efforts overall.

Paphiopedilum appletonianum (Gower) Rolfe in bloom at the Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park

Valuable orchid species need conserving

The slipper orchid, also known as Paphiopedilum callosum (Rchb.f., is a perennial herb that grows under the dense evergreen tropical monsoon forest canopy on mountain slopes or near streams, at elevations of 300-1300 meters, scattered on humus-rich soil. It blooms from April to June and naturally regenerates through seeds.

Paphiopedilum callosum discovered in Dak Lak

The curling slipper orchid is also a perennial herb, found under dense evergreen tropical monsoon forests, mixed broadleaf-conifer forests on granite mountains, at elevations of 900-1900 meters, in small groups on humus-rich soil near mountain tops. It blooms from March to May and primarily regenerates naturally from seeds.

Training courses on conservation of two orchid species 

In Vietnam, these two orchid species are found in Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, and the Central Highlands. According to Averyanov (2007), Paphiopedilum callosum in Vietnam has three varieties: P. callosum var. callosum, P. callosum var. warnerianum, and P. callosum var. potentianum. Among them, P. callosum var. callosum is the most common in eastern Indochina. Previously, P. callosum var. callosum was distributed in both Thua Thien-Hue and the Central Highlands, but the populations in Thua Thien-Hue have become extinct. The other two varieties are only found in the Central Highlands. Paphiopedilum callosum is one of the most popular orchids on the market due to its diverse shapes, sizes and colors.

According to the IUCN Red List (2020), there are 1,641 orchid species, with Paphiopedilum callosum and Paphiopedilum appletonianum both classified as endangered. In Vietnam, Group I of the List of Endangered, Precious, and Rare Forest Plants and Animals (under Decree 06/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 22, 2019) includes 22 orchid species, among them Paphiopedilum callosum and Paphiopedilum appletonianum. Additionally, these two species are listed in the Priority List of Endangered, Precious, and Rare Species for Protection (under Decree 64/2019/NĐ-CP dated July 16, 2019). Therefore, investigating and researching these two orchid species is essential, holding significant scientific and practical value to provide effective conservation measures to prevent their extinction.

Investigation, research and conservation

To contribute to biodiversity conservation, particularly in establishing regulations and technical procedures for the sustainable conservation and development of two endangered, rare and valuable orchid species, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Sinh and his team undertook the task: "Investigation, evaluation, proposal of regulations, technical procedures for conservation and development models of two endangered, rare, valuable, and prioritized orchid species: Paphiopedilum callosum (Rchb.f.) Stein and Paphiopedilum appletonianum (Gower) Rolfe in Vietnam" (code: UQSNMT.01/21-23).

During the investigation, scientists added crucial information about distribution areas, light requirements, soil characteristics, microbial composition in the soil where the orchids grow, and parasitic nematodes to aid in plant disease control during conservation. Additionally, one-hectare models for Paphiopedilum callosum and Paphiopedilum appletonianum were established.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Sinh shared: "The research results have practical value, contributing to the conservation and development of two endangered, rare, and valuable orchid species. Besides the conservation models, we developed comprehensive biological and ecological datasets, current status assessments, and proposed conservation and development regulations and technical procedures for these two orchid species. The first comprehensive technical manuals for planting and caring, along with conservation models for Paphiopedilum callosum and Paphiopedilum appletonianum in Vietnam, were created. For the first time, these two orchid species were propagated for conservation from seeds, and the main groups of mold, bacteria, actinomycetes, and parasitic nematodes on Paphiopedilum appletonianum were identified. The conservation and development regulations can be applied at the Biodiversity Conservation Agency. Other products can be used by facilities registering to propagate and plant these two orchid species. With these initial successes, scientists hope to continue monitoring and developing the conservation models for these orchid species."

Images of the established conservation models

Translated by Phuong Huyen
Link to Vietnamese version



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