BACKGROUND Given the exceptional diversity of orchids (26,000+ species), improving strategies for the conservation of orchids will benefit a vast number of taxa. Furthermore, with rapidly increasing numbers of endangered orchids, and low success rates in orchid conservation translocation programs worldwide, it is evident that our progress in understanding the biology of orchids is not yet translating into widespread effective conservation. SCOPE We highlight unusual aspects of the reproductive biology of orchids that can have important consequences for conservation programs such as specialisation of pollination systems, low fruit set but high seed production, and the potential for long-distance seed dispersal. Further, we discuss the importance of their reliance on mycorrhizal fungi for germination, including quantifying the incidence of specialised versus generalised mycorrhizal associations in orchids. In light of leading conservation theory and the biology of orchids, we provide recommendations for improving population management and translocation programs. CONCLUSIONS Major gains in orchid conservation can be achieved by incorporating knowledge of ecological interactions, for both generalist and specialist species. For example, habitat management can be tailored to maintain pollinator populations, and conservation translocation sites selected based on confirmed availability of pollinators. Similarly, use of efficacious mycorrhizal fungi in propagation will increase the value of ex-situ collections, and likely increase the success of conservation translocations. Given the low genetic differentiation between populations of many orchids, experimental genetic mixing is an option to increase fitness of small populations, although caution is needed where cytotypes or floral ecotypes are present. Combining demographic data and field experiments will provide knowledge to enhance management and translocation success. Finally, high per-fruit fecundity means that orchids offer powerful but overlooked opportunities to propagate plants for experiments aimed at improving conservation outcomes. Given the uncertainty of future environmental change, experimental approaches also offer powerful ways to build more resilient populations.

中文翻译：

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兰花保护：从理论到实践


背景 鉴于兰花的特殊多样性（26,000 多种），改进兰花保护策略将使大量的分类单元受益。此外，随着濒临灭绝的兰花数量迅速增加，以及全球兰花保护易地计划的成功率较低，很明显，我们在了解兰花生物学方面的进展尚未转化为广泛的有效保护。范围我们强调兰花生殖生物学的不寻常方面，这些方面可能对保护计划产生重要影响，例如授粉系统的专业化、坐果率低但种子产量高以及长距离种子传播的潜力。此外，我们讨论了它们依赖菌根真菌发芽的重要性，包括量化兰花中特殊菌根关联与广义菌根关联的发生率。根据领先的保护理论和兰花生物学，我们为改善兰花种群管理和易地计划提供建议。结论 对于普通物种和特殊物种来说，通过纳入生态相互作用的知识，可以在兰花保护方面取得重大成果。例如，可以调整栖息地管理以维持传粉媒介的数量，并根据确认的传粉媒介的可用性选择保护易地地点。同样，在繁殖中使用有效的菌根真菌将增加异地收集的价值，并可能增加保护易地的成功率。 鉴于许多兰花种群之间的遗传分化较低，实验性遗传混合是提高小种群适应性的一种选择，但在存在细胞型或花卉生态型的情况下需要谨慎。结合人口统计数据和实地实验将为加强管理和易地成功提供知识。最后，每个果实的高繁殖力意味着兰花为繁殖植物提供了强大但被忽视的机会，以进行旨在改善保护结果的实验​​。考虑到未来环境变化的不确定性，实验方法也提供了建立更具复原力的种群的有力方法。