Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo (Orchidaceae) is a critically endangered high-value medicinal plant collected from wild and extensively used against diabetes, cuts/wound healing, gastric disorders, chronic fever, seminal weakness/dysfunctions, and bone fractures. The tuber of the species yields high quality “Salep” having astringent and aphrodisiac properties, with high economic value. This results in high demand and illegal collection of the species from wild, thus making this species one of the most exploited species in the Indian Himalaya. The populations of D. hatagirea are restricted to small isolated pockets and are subject to destructive harvesting, therefore, need urgent in situ as well as ex situ conservation interventions. In view of this, the present study is an attempt to understand population status, its distribution, threats, and vulnerability of the species. A total of 14 sites in different habitat types along the altitudinal gradient (2500–4500 m) were selected for intensive field study in the Indian Western Himalaya. The results of the study reveal that D. hatagirea prefers moist laden undulating habitats in alpine meadows. The population density of the species ranges between 0.70 and 2.43 individuals/m² in alpine meadows of the studied sites. Population density and species abundance increased significantly along the altitude within its range of occurrence. The relationship between altitude and total density was curvilinear and significant (r²=0.666, p<0.002), whereas non-linear and non-significant (r²=0.224, p>0.247) between slope and total density. The results of the study also indicate that the vegetation in alpine ecosystem were more diverse in species composition at mid-altitudes (3400 to 3700 m) than high altitudes. Destructive harvesting of underground tuber and irregular grazing were observed as critical threats to the species. D. hatagirea share habitats with few expanding species (i.e., Polygonum polystachyum) and highly traded species (i.e., Ophiocordyceps sinensis) in the alpine meadows, which affects its population density. The study concluded that short life cycle, poor seed germination rate, specific microhabitat requirement, low population density, and high commercial value limit the widespread distribution of the species in the region. The findings of the study suggest an urgent need for developing conservation and management plan for the species in the region for sustaining traditional health care system and pharmaceutical demand.

Dactylorhiza hatagirea（D. Don）Soo（兰科）是一种极濒临灭绝的高价值药用植物，从野生植物中收集并广泛用于抗糖尿病，伤口/伤口愈合，胃部疾病，慢性发烧，精液衰弱/功能障碍和骨折。该种的块茎产生具有收敛和壮阳特性的高质量“ Salep”，具有很高的经济价值。这导致对野生物种的高需求和非法收集，从而使该物种成为印度喜马拉雅山中利用最多的物种之一。哈达木藻的人口由于被限制在较小的孤立口袋中，并且遭受破坏性收割，因此，需要紧急的原位和非原生境保护措施。有鉴于此，本研究试图了解种群的状况，分布，威胁和物种的脆弱性。在印度西部喜马拉雅山，共选择了沿着海拔梯度（2500-4500 m）的不同栖息地类型的14个地点进行深入的实地研究。研究结果表明，D。hatagirea偏爱高山草甸潮湿，起伏不平的生境。该物种的种群密度在0.70和2.43个个体/ m ^2之间在研究地点的高山草甸上。沿其发生范围内的海拔高度，种群密度和物种丰富度显着增加。海拔高度与总密度之间的关系是曲线且显着的（r ² = 0.666，p <0.002），而坡度与总密度之间的非线性且无显着性（r ² = 0.224，p > 0.247）。研究结果还表明，与高海拔相比，中海拔（3400至3700 m）的高山生态系统中植被的物种组成更加多样化。观察到地下块茎的破坏性收获和不规则放牧是对该物种的严重威胁。D. hatagirea在高寒草甸中，它们的栖息地几乎没有正在扩张的物种（即Poly属）和高度交易的物种（即中华phi），从而影响了其种群密度。研究得出的结论是，生命周期短，种子发芽率低，特定的微生境需求，低种群密度和高商业价值限制了该物种在该地区的广泛分布。该研究的结果表明，迫切需要为该地区的物种制定保护和管理计划，以维持传统的卫生保健系统和药品需求。