The danger for its beauty: Loss of Orchids

Abstract

Peru is home to approximately 2600-3000 species of orchids. This enormous diversity of species, with their range of shapes, sizes, scents and colours, makes the Orchidaceae one of the most complex botanical families to catalogue, evaluate and conserve; however, this enormous variability is counterbalanced by their low levels of abundance and their high sensitivity to environmental change and habitat quality. One of the main threats to wild orchids is over-harvesting, which in some cases has even threatened populations of some species with high commercial value. Practical experience also shows that the chances of successful species conservation are increased when threats are addressed from a holistic and multidimensional perspective. For this reason, in recent decades, strategies to conserve and sustainably manage wild species have been led by stakeholders who not only share the diverse problems that affect the species, but also propose to resolve the threats that are linked to them, either directly or indirectly. For this reason, with the practical visit to the Tsachopen Orchid Farm belonging to Máximo Acosta Ciriaco, in which we reaffirmed our suspicions that with proper management orchids can be conserved, which will contribute to the conservation of the ecosystem of the Peruvian rainforest.