ARTICLE : The First International Orchid Conservation Congress

 September 2001 – The First International Orchid Conservation Congress

The First International Orchid Conservation Congress held in Perth, Western Australia from 24 – 28 September was attended by 132 delegates from 21 countries (4 from NZ).   The conference promoted information exchange and the concept of integrated conservation (including ex-situ, habitat manipulation and public awareness).   There was strong representation of “amateur orchidologists” and it was noted that professionals ignore amateurs at their peril.   That amateurs play a major role in the conservation of the world’s orchids should not be forgotten.

Several key themes emerged during the congress including: threats facing orchids in the wild (especially fire and wild collection); measuring diversity and the importance of good taxonomy (“are flies better taxonomists than people” because of the strong evidence of pollinator specificity); and finally effective recovery operations (we must set realistic and achievable objectives).

A paper was presented on behalf of the Department of Conservation by John Sawyer and Peter de Lange entitled “Biogeography and orchid conservation in New Zealand: Case studies from the Department of Conservation orchid files”.   This paper described projects undertaken by staff of the Department over the past 12 years.

Caladenia flava

Some conclusions from the conference were:
• The problem of decline in New Zealand’s native orchids is significant.   While there are relatively few nationally threatened orchid species, many others are in decline at a regional level.   Taxa without formal names are also in serious decline.
• Orchids are flagship species around the world.   The benefits that accrue to conservation from protecting orchid populations and orchid communities can be large.   This was described as “collateral conservation”.   It may be that orchids and/or other groups of species, e.g. mistletoes, can be used more effectively in this way in New Zealand.
• The three “Ps” are important: Patience, Persistence and Partnerships.   It was suggested that passion could be added to that list.
• Increased skills in the range of orchid conservation techniques would be beneficial to New Zealand conservation efforts.
• Closer collaboration between the Department of Conservation, the NZ Native Orchid Group,groups such as the Wellington Botanical Society and other such volunteers will reap great benefits for native orchid conservation.

John Sawyer, Department of Conservation, Wellington.