Assessing orchid diversity and conservation needs in the southern Pacific of Costa Rica
Gorde:
| Egileak: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Argitaratze data: | 2026 |
| Deskribapena: | Orchidaceae are among the most species-rich families of flowering plants and occur in nearly all terrestrial ecosystems. Despite their ecological importance and exceptional diversity, orchids face multiple global threats, including habitat loss and degradation, unsustainable extraction from the wild, and climate change. Conservation efforts for orchids remain limited in many biodiversity hotspots. This study evaluates orchid diversity and the current state of orchid conservation in southern Pacific Costa Rica, a recognized global biodiversity hotspot. To achieve this, we compiled a database of 1,454 georeferenced records integrating data from field surveys, herbarium specimens, and citizen science platforms. From this dataset, we produced a curated and vouchered species checklist and analyzed patterns of species richness and distribution. We conducted a hotspot analysis, quantified the proportion of orchid records occurring within protected areas, and assessed conservation priorities for all recorded species using a vulnerability scoring matrix. A total of 206 native orchid species were documented and four orchid diversity hotspots identified. Most orchid records (87%) were collected within protected areas, encompassing five distinct conservation categories. Based on the vulnerability assessment, we propose priorities for conservation action and recommend the improvement of ex situ collections and the online sharing of collections data. Overall, our findings provide a robust baseline for guiding orchid conservation strategies in southern Pacific Costa Rica and demonstrate the importance of protected areas and targeted conservation measures for vulnerable species in mitigating ongoing threats and preserving regional orchid diversity. |
| Herria: | Kérwá |
| Erakundea: | Universidad de Costa Rica |
| Repositorio: | Kérwá |
| Hizkuntza: | Inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:kerwa.ucr.ac.cr:10669/105248 |
| Sarrera elektronikoa: | https://hdl.handle.net/10669/105248 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2026.127407 |
| Gako-hitza: | Biodiversity hotspot Conservation Species checklist Neotropics Vulnerability assessment Osa Peninsula |