Species Richness, Ecology, and Prediction of Orchids in Central Europe: Local-Scale Study

Matúš Hrivnák,Dušan Senko,Veronika Rízová,Dobromil Galvánek,Eva Belanová,Richard Hrivnák,Jaroslav Vlčko,Michal Slezák

doi:10.3390/d12040154

Abstract

Orchids are one of the most species-rich families in the world, and many species are under threat in numerous countries. Biodiversity research focusing on the relationship between the richness of orchid species and ecological factors was performed across the Cerová vrchovina Mts (Western Carpathians) testing impact of 26 explanatory variables. We aimed to determine the main ecological predictors controlling species richness and to predict potential species richness patterns. Altogether, 19 orchid species were found in the studied area, with Cephalanthera damasonium and Epipactis microphylla being the most common. Four environmental predictors (minimal longitude, carbonate-containing sediments, maximal yearly solar irradiation, and agricultural land) had statistically significant effects on orchid richness following regression analysis. Predictive models for the nine most frequent species using MaxEnt software showed (i) that land cover and geological substrate had the highest contribution to the explained variance in the models and (ii) strong potential for occurrence of given orchids in several poorly mapped parts of the studied area.

Highlights

The family Orchidaceae, covering epiphytic and terrestrial species, is one of the most species-rich flowering plant families in the world
19 orchid species were found in the studied area (Appendix A)
~7% showed high species richness (9–12), and no orchid species was found in the rest of the polygons (10%; Figure 1B)

Summary

Introduction

The family Orchidaceae, covering epiphytic and terrestrial species, is one of the most species-rich flowering plant families in the world. Terrestrial orchids occur across almost all continents, with. Many orchid species are categorized as endangered. Many species are listed in national plant red lists and protected by national legislations in numerous countries. Their high biodiversity and conservation values are closely coupled with unique life strategies and ecological conditions. The most commonly published threats for orchids are direct destruction of habitats or other negative human and global impacts such as climate change, pollution, tourism, and recreation activities [7]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion