Identify conservation gaps and devise sustainable use strategies using orchid flora as a proxy

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has set forth global biodiversity goals to halt human induced species extinction as well to achieve sustainable use of biodiversity. Implementing these targets remains challenging. For orchid-rich or orchid use-intense countries, effectiveness on conservation of plants in the family is a good indicator for assessing a country’ s progress in fulfilling their commitments. In this study, we illustrate an approach to conduct a conservation gap analysis of the orchid flora of Taiwan, a floral industry powerhouse rich in native orchid diversity. We found that in situ and ex situ conservation measures protect 54% and 20% of the native orchids, respectively. While the IUCN Red List analysis identified habitat loss and deterioration as leading threats to native orchids, it underestimated the impacts from overharvest. There are 26 threatened orchids subject to wild harvest for underground domestic trade but were not protected in situ or ex situ. In addition, policies to protect threatened plants are inadequate in comparison to their animal counterparts. Finally, CITES import and export records combined with evidence provided by Taiwanese importers indicated that there was some laundering of wild-sourced orchids in Southeast Asia. A combination of monitoring and capacity augmentation in CITES implementation as well as promotion of sustainable measures are needed to better orchid conservation in Taiwan and beyond. Our analytical approach can be applied to other taxa as well as other countries to assess conservation gaps and to monitor progress towards the CBD goals.