AboutOrchids

Orchids are providing a valuable perspective on climate change. Dried flowers are kept in museums and herbaria around the globe, and include records of collection dates. A British group of scientists checked specimens up to 150 years old, and found that the Early Spider Orchid, native to southern and western Europe, has been blooming 6 days earlier for every 1.8° F (1° C) spring temperature increase. This rate corresponds to modern scientific observations in the field. Some dried flower specimens date back 250 years, and they add a considerable repository of data for scientific study. Climate change and shifting temperatures endanger orchids because of increased chances of extreme weather, and also the chance that orchids will flower out of sync with their pollinators.

While scientists are finding orchids from the past useful, they’re also planning for the future. Climate change, habitat destruction, and over-collection all endanger wild orchid species. Scientists from around the world recently met in Costa Rica to plan to freeze the orchid seeds of threatened species. As a last-ditch effort , Orchid Seed Stores for Sustainable Use (OSSSU) hopes to build seed banks around the world to prevent the complete extinction of these marvelous plants. Since orchid seeds are minuscule, they don’t even need big freezers. Seeds frozen at -4° F (-20° C) can last for decades. Some seeds can be used to replenish struggling wild populations. It’s good to know that smart people are working to keep rare orchids from disappearing forever. Future generations should be able to enjoy more than a dried or frozen Phal or Lady Slipper.

Explore posts in the same categories: Conservation, In the News

This entry was posted on Monday, September 27th, 2010 at 9:18 pm and is filed under Conservation, In the News.

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