Orchid conservation faces threats from trade and habitat loss

Wild orchid species face significant threats from habitat loss, invasive plants, and international trade. A study published in Biological Conservation examined the trade of the Dracula orchid genus, which is native to mountainous forests in Ecuador and Colombia.

Research indicates that since 1981, 91% of known Dracula species have appeared in legal international trade, with over 112,000 plants sent to 52 countries. While these plants are declared as artificially propagated, researchers noted the difficulty in verifying whether they are nursery-grown or extracted from the wild, particularly for rare species with very small known populations.

In Spain, conservation efforts include the publication of a guide on wild orchids in the province of Jaén and volunteer initiatives to clean micro-reserves to protect local populations.