New research reveals that educating Vietnamese orchid collectors about the endangered status of these beloved flowers could be the key to curbing illegal trafficking and conserving orchid species.
Orchids in Peril
The orchid is one of the most dramatic flowers in the world, a multi-billion-dollar business that captivates people everywhere. The global demand, however, has come at a significant cost to orchid populations in countries like Vietnam. Overzealous wild harvesting and lack of law reinforcement have already pushed many orchid species into endangerment.
So, researchers from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and Vinh University in Vietnam decided to investigate. Motivated by a high amount of seldom-seen — and potentially endangered — orchid species being sold over Facebook to a Vietnamese Orchid hobbyist and trader group, they decided to take action. Researchers, however, knew they required a more in-depth understanding of what prompted this illegal trade to come up with ways to stop it from spreading.
Converting Collectors to Conservation Friends
The crucial lesson here is to heed the sociological dimensions that impel collectors of orchids in Vietnam, say the researchers. What they discovered was that many of these collectors, who can sometimes take species from the wild—endangered in some cases—are largely ignorant of just how imperiled orchids are and the regulations designed to protect them. What is alarming though, is that these collectors still believe that there are plenty of orchids left in Vietnam which has led people to think that way too.
“Collectors and hobbyists seem to be a group that wants to help orchids [through conservation] but they were not aware the plants were in jeopardy, or that collecting was harming them,” said Elizabeth Davis, who led the study. They are orchid enthusiasts and open to contributing knowledge and adapting sustainable practices.
The finding serves as a beacon of hope. The researchers say they can turn collectors from being part of the problem into saviors if awareness campaigns and coalitions are created inside the collector community. Writer: Jason Bittel ‘Reality for wild orchids differs from what the orchid community believes’ Image copyright Dr. Trung Tien Cao ‘The gap between the reality of wild orchids and consumer image’ “From the gap itself, we suggest how to bridge it.”
Conclusion
It provides a positive way forward in the battle to conserve Vietnam’s incredible orchids. By identifying where these knowledge gaps occur, and what drives people to collect orchids, targeted awareness campaigns or collaborations could be developed that harness the passion of collectors and say about this potentially important resource….. With their assistance, the future of many endangered orchid species may start to seem a little brighter, staving off the potential future loss of these beloved flowers for years to come.
