brainstorming controversial/debatable statements about orchids

[camille1585]

I have a bit of an odd request.... I’m writing up my PhD thesis (hope to submit it by end of september—on molecular & ecological aspects of plant-insect interactions, if you are curious) and one of the typically Dutch aspects of the thesis is to include is a list of 6-8 propositions. These are short, 1 sentence statements which must be very debatable/controversial/”itchy” (and I will get at least one question on the propositions during the defense) on different topics, aiming to show your ability to scientifically defend ideas in fields far away from your own. Now I have thought up a good list of them and have enough, but I would really like one of my ‘other science fields’ ones to be about orchids!!

I will formulate it myself of course, but am turning to you knowledgeable, perhaps scientifically oriented orchid folks for some ideas. I’ll research them further of course, since I have to be able to defend it as being either true or false.

So for instance I was thinking of something along the lines of “orchid conservation efforts must strongly focus on maintaining specimens in private collections in order to conserve species diversity”.

I was also thinking about trying to come up with a proposition about lumping/splitting of genera, but haven’t found a context to frame it in.

I’m not expecting much in terms of replies, but thought it was worth posting anyway...

[orchidsarefun]

Very interesting thesis. Good Luck !
My contribution -

Evolution in orchid species is not survival of the fittest but a man-made engineering of subjective desirable traits which has left many species incapable of independently surviving in their natural habitat.

Does the widespread creation of man-made Orchid intergeneric hybrids assist or detract from genetic diversity ?

[AussieVanda]

“orchid conservation efforts must strongly focus on maintaining specimens in private collections in order to conserve species diversity”. That's an easy one...commercialisation of species to ensure their survival. i think someone else on OB raised the same point as well on another post somewhere.

A flow on consideration would be introduction of orchids and their pollinators to areas outside of their natural ranges/habitats to ensure their survival. Given past failures/mistakes of intoduced species/pests in all parts of the world, you'll probably get plenty of debate!

As for splitting and lumping, Fair Orchids (kim) will have something to say about that i imagine!

[Subrosa]

If you like I can supply an extensive list of species which have been extirpated but continue to exist mostly because of being commercialized.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I have a bit of an odd request.... I’m writing up my PhD thesis (hope to submit it by end of september—on molecular & ecological aspects of plant-insect interactions, if you are curious) ...

My hat is off to you, m'dear.

Originally Posted by camille1585

So for instance I was thinking of something along the lines of “orchid conservation efforts must strongly focus on maintaining specimens in private collections in order to conserve species diversity”.

A good debatable proposition that is. Have heard similar statements made regarding zoos, and exotic animal husbandry (hobbist/pet trade).

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

Evolution in orchid species is not (I would suggest substituting "no longer" for "not") survival of the fittest but a man-made engineering of subjective desirable traits which has left many species incapable of independently surviving in their natural habitat.

But does this holds true for wild populations as opposed to those in commercial production?

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

Does the widespread creation of man-made Orchid intergeneric hybrids assist or detract from genetic diversity ?

Interesting topic. Piggybacking on that:
"The widespread creation of man-made orchid intergeneric hybrids increases the likelihood of pathogens evolving to cross previous species or genera barriers."

Originally Posted by AussieVanda

A flow on consideration would be introduction of orchids and their pollinators to areas outside of their natural ranges/habitats to ensure their survival. Given past failures/mistakes of intoduced species/pests in all parts of the world, you'll probably get plenty of debate!

Debate indeed! This brings to mind a thread from back in December wherein a member opined that introduction of a hybrid(s) would somehow save the ghost orchid from extinction. Aroused some very strong reactions/debate:

A Different Way To Protect The Ghost Orchid

Originally Posted by AussieVanda

As for splitting and lumping, Fair Orchids (kim) will have something to say about that i imagine!

Many would and have. But the question would be how to phrase the topic proposition in a debatable format and just what the focus would be...

Just a couple random differently focused ideas:
"In examining orchid (or "organism" for a more general topic) relatedness, it most beneficial to subdivide taxa as completely as possible."
or
"Outside of academia, the widespread sweeping changes involving orchid taxonomy have little value or merit."

[camille1585]

I prepared a long answer, only to have it eaten by the forum when the submit button failed to post...

To sum up, thank you all for your help, it's much appreciated! And I really like the original idea of cultivation as a means to save species diversity. I also like the suggestion about the evolution of orchid species no longer being survival of the fittest. They could form the same idea though, that cultivation is the best conservation policy, but that the way the plants 'evolve' in captivity means that they may not be suited to life in the wild. I like the idea also of drawing parallel with animals.

Originally Posted by Subrosa

If you like I can supply an extensive list of species which have been extirpated but continue to exist mostly because of being commercialized.

If you can give me some examples that would be great! I was thinking of Phrag kovachii as one, which is getting obliterated in the wild, but is more and more common in cultivation (it's desireability in cultivation being the cause for it's rapid demise in the wild is a totally different debate...)

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by AussieVanda

“orchid conservation efforts must strongly focus on maintaining specimens in private collections in order to conserve species diversity”. That's an easy one...commercialisation of species to ensure their survival. i think someone else on OB raised the same point as well on another post somewhere.

A flow on consideration would be introduction of orchids and their pollinators to areas outside of their natural ranges/habitats to ensure their survival. Given past failures/mistakes of intoduced species/pests in all parts of the world, you'll probably get plenty of debate!

As for splitting and lumping, Fair Orchids (kim) will have something to say about that i imagine!

Don't get me started.

However, I do have an interesting propositon. About 95 years ago, my grandfather planted several Oncidium varicosum on a mountain in Sri Lanka (and duly notified the RHS, so that these plants would not cause turmoil later on). I don't know which mountain, but I suggest that we need to mount a series of field trips to search for any survivors and possible offspring. And, if there are offspring, have they become inbred?

Considering how easily intergeneric hybrids are created, there could easily be something out there, which nobody has predicted yet.