Whilst there is overwhelming scientific evidence that dramatic changes in regional climates are likely to occur throughout the 21st century, the scientific community remains uncertain how the effects of global heating will combine with other environmental factors to affect wild orchid populations. It is, however, likely that many populations will be affected adversely and that in situ conservation techniques by themselves will not be sufficient to prevent the extinction of many species. A range of complimentary ex situ strategies are discussed.

Effective seed storage methods for orchid species provide a unique opportunity to preserve large amounts of germplasm. Early evaluation of the physiological status of seeds is useful for selecting seed lots for conservation. To score seed quality, seeds from nine Cattleya species (Cattleya granulosa, Cattleya hegeriana, Cattleya intermedia, Cattleya mossiae, Cattleya purpurata, Cattleya sanguiloba, Cattleya tenuis, Cattleya tigrina and Cattleya walkeriana) were germinated on Knudson C medium and viability was measured using a tetrazolium (TZ) test following pre-conditioning in a 10% sucrose solution, both before and after storage at −18°C for 3 mo. Tetrazolium test results were quantified using digital imaging of germinating seeds on a flatbed scanner. Seed viability (with or without pre-conditioning in sucrose), germination, Germination Velocity Index (GVI) and the correlation between viability measurements and germination were also evaluated. Both the tetrazolium test and the germination results showed that there was no loss of viability after storage, although in five seed lots, the GVI decreased. Pre-conditioning improved the correlation between viability exhibited in the tetrazolium test and seed germination. Image analysis proved to be a powerful tool for analysing these small seeds.

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ABstrAct. In 1996 the IUCN/SSC Orchid Specialist Group published a Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan that included a number of recommendations designed to address the problem of a projected imminent and rapid decline of species. Orchids remain subject to a multiplicity of threats in their natural habitats and, in addition to the usual suspects of habitat loss and land conversion, climate change has exerted a measurable effect on some orchid populations. Collection of orchids for traditional medicine is having a significant effect both within China and surrounding countries. Some progress has been made in achieving the targets set for Red Listing of endangered species in some countries, but other countries are lagging behind. In addition to successful initiatives in preserving natural habitats, a number of projects around the world have demonstrated that it is possible both to bring endangered species into cultivation and successfully reintroduce them into the wild. Orchid Seed Stores for Sustainable Use, with its goal of storing seeds representing a minimum of 1000 orchid species in institutes in at least 30 countries over the next five years, provides an example of what can be achieved by a small, dedicated group determined to share their technical expertise and develop a deeper understanding of the underlying science. There is, however, also an urgent need to promote awareness in the wider community about the importance of all sorts of biodiversity (not only orchids) through educational programs and involve people from as wide a range of backgrounds as possible..

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Substantial pollen desiccation tolerance and life span of the four entomophilous orchids reflects a resilient survival strategy in response to unpredictable pollinator visitation, and presents an alternative approach to germplasm conservation.

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Orchid Seed Stores for Sustainable Use (OSSSU) is a three-year UK Darwin Initiative project with the primary objective of setting up a global network of orchid seed banks, focusing initially on orchid biodiversity hotspots in Asia and Latin America. At the time of writing there are 31 participating institutions in 22 countries. In the longer term, our aim is to expand the network to include more institutions from around the world, from African countries in particular. We are confident that good-quality dry orchid seed has the potential to survive for many decades at conventional seed bank temperatures of around -20 C. Participating institutions have been provided with seed storage tubes, together with funding to purchase a dedicated chest freezer and some consumables. Common protocols have been agreed to allow, for the first time, comparison of germination of seed of more than 250 orchid species from tropical and temperate countries over a wide range of habitat types on one germination medium (Knudson C) and to compare long-term viability. The role of OSSSU in both ex situ and in situ conservation is illustrated by the case of Cattleya quadricolor, a Colombian endemic. The story of C. quadricolor is a familiar one: loss of habitat combined with illegal collection of this beautiful species by commercial interests. However, here is a project in which all of the pieces of the orchid conservation jigsaw puzzle fit neatly into place: an up-to-date Red List for the orchids of Colombia to assist with targeting rare and endangered species, a National Action Plan for Cattleya species, participation in OSSSU, a group of amateur and professional growers with the necessary expertise to germinate seed for the project and produce seedlings, a committed commercial grower willing to provide plants for pollination and seed harvest, and a botanical garden willing to act as a focal point and to re-introduce plants of C. quadricolor raised by the project into a number of secure sites.reSumen. Los Almacenes de Semillas de Orquídeas para Uso Sostenible (Orchid Seed Stores for Sustainable Use -oSSSu Por sus siglas en inglés) es una iniciativa de tres años del proyecto Iniciativa Darwin del Reino Unido, con el principal objetivo de establecer una red global de bancos de semillas de orquídeas, enfocándose inicialmente en aquellos "puntos calientes" de biodiversidad en Asia y América Latina. Al momento de escribir este documento, hay 20 instituciones participantes en 16 países. A más largo plazo, nuestro objetivo es el de incluir un mayor número de instituciones de todo el mundo, y especialmente de países africanos. Tenemos la confianza de que una semilla seca de orquídea de buena calidad tiene el potencial sobrevivir durante muchas décadas bajo condiciones de temperatura de un banco de semillas convencional de alrededor de -20 C. Las instituciones participantes han recibido tubos para el almacenamiento de semillas, junto con los fondos para adquirir una congeladora de baúl específicamente dedicada así como algunos de los suministros cons...