Eat your orchid and have it too: a potentially new conservation formula for Chinese epiphytic medicinal orchids

• DOI: 10.1007/s10531-014-0661-2
• Publication Date: 2014-03-11T04:23:31Z
• Authors: Hong Liu; Yi-Bo Luo; Joel Heinen; Mahadev Bhat; Zhong-Jian Liu
• Keywords: Dendrobium; Orchidaceae; Epiphyte; Environmentally Friendly

About a quarter of Chinese wild orchid species are used in traditional medicine or as health food supplements. The market demand for some species, such those the epiphytic genus Dendrobium, has diminished many populations to local extinction dangerously small numbers. Conservation these heavily exploited orchids currently relies on two-pronged approach: establishing nature reserves and encouraging massive commercial cultivation artificial settings. We argue that measures not sufficient restore maintain healthy populations, augmentation reintroduction natural forests needed. an unconventional approach, which planted allowed be sustainably harvested (restoration-friendly cultivation). Because Dendrobium epiphytic, restoration-friendly will at expenses other native plants. In addition, premiums wild-collected medicinal plants generate incentives farmers who participate preserve forests. With proper policy oversight, facilitate conservation threatened encourage protection forests, benefit marginalized rural communities. Adding this into current mix approaches potential turn deeply-entrenched uses from challenge success.