Naples Orchid Society International Internship SW
Transcription
Naples Orchid Society International Internship SW
Naples Orchid Society International Internship SW Florida Orchid Conservation Cyrtopodium punctatum; Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve Supervisor: Matt Richards ([email protected]) Internship student: Danielle Lopes Ferreira ([email protected]) Through a network of institutions involved in a project for the conservation of orchid seeds (OSSSU) we established a new link between Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR – Brazil) and Atlanta Botanical Garden and this exchange could become a reality. As a Master degree student at UFPR I performed a study/work involving many aspects of plant conservation at the ABG (Atlanta Botanical Garden), specifically with orchids. With advanced knowledge acquired in my Biology degree and my current Master degree (Botany), I could collaborate with the daily tasks of the laboratory of plant tissue culture. Among the main tasks, we can point out the preparation of culture media with different compositions, the sowing of seeds in different culture media in accordance with the requirements of the species, the subculturing of orchids to keep them in the in vitro collection or to prepare them for acclimatization (Figure 1). Activities related to the organization of the data obtained in the laboratory were also part of my responsibilities. An inventory of the quantity of seeds stored at -20˚C, from 2003 to 2010 was assessed, and storage of new samples of orchid seeds collected from native and non-native plants, and the update of information into the laboratory database, were also made by me. (Figure 2) Figure 1: Danielle working on subculturing germinating seedlings of Cyrtopodium punctatum. Figure 2: -20C freezer unit containing collections of seed inventory. In addition to working in the tissue culture lab, I performed many horticultural activities within the Fuqua Orchid Center and collection greenhouses of the Atlanta Botanical Garden. These duties involved many activities such as daily care of orchid collections, watering, spraying, fertilizing, and prunning. I also helped to maintain and organize the exhibits landscape of the Fuqua Orchid Center. I also contributed to other important conservation projects like; Xyris tennesseensis (Tennessee Yellow-eyed grass) - part of a project (NFWF 5-Star) to augment populations of the federally endangered species in Georgia (Figure 3). After four weeks of learning in the facilities of ABG, the conservation and reintroduction for one federally endangered species had reached its zenith in the field. Once all the preparation of seedlings were successful, we went to recovered sites in Northwest Georgia, to scout for and prepare outplanting microsites, for Xyris tennesseensis. Later, we would establish a new population of nearly 100 plants of this federally endangered species into a restored habitat (Figure 4). This entire process allowed me to better understand the rare flora of the southeastern U.S. and the importance of these types of conservation projects. Figure 3: Newly planted seedlings of Xyris tennesseensis propagated at ABG, shown in recovered habitat. Figure 4: Danielle pointing at microsite and newly planted Xyris seedlings. In addition to Xyris work, I was also involved in surveying and protecting a site in NW Georgia for Platanthera integrilabia (Monkey Face Orchid), I was able to meet with several agencies (Georgia Power, and Georgia DOT) to work toward the protection of this sensitive habitat. This type of work allowed me to see conservation work at many important stages and the importance of collaborated efforts towards conservation (Figure 5). Figure 5: Monkey Face (Platanthera integrilabia) site, plants were known to exist in this stretch of roadside under constant anthropogenic alteration. Negotiations persuaded the designation as a Sensitive Natural Area by both GA Power and GA DOT. However, the main focus of my work was to assist in the conservation and recovery efforts with the Cigar orchid, Cyrtopodium punctatum. The project was developed in partnership with personnel Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve of, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and ABG. This species was the main focus of my work with both the Conservatory and Conservation Departments at ABG. In the tissue culture lab I initiated the germination tests for four different breeding groups of Cyrtopodium punctatum, the result of cross-pollinations made in 2009 and 2010. The aim was to develop a more efficient protocol to micro-propagate this species, aiming a high rate of successful germination and improved growth rate. The experiment involved different culture conditions, such as 16/8 hours light/dark or complete darkness, and two types of germination media (Figure 6). I also completed the preparation of replate media for the species and transferred thousands of Cigar orchid seedlings that were germinated in vitro (Figure 7). Following the full development of seedlings raised in vitro, I was heavily involved of the transfer of hundreds of seedlings from the laboratory to the production greenhouse. Daily horticultural duties included the care of these collections (Figure 8). Figure 7: Transfers of hundreds of cigar orchids. Figure 8: Greenhouse production of cigar orchid seedlings for the recovery project. Finally after four weeks of background preparation for on the ground consveration work involving Cyrtopodium punctatum, we traveled to the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve in Copeland, Florida. We spent four days collecting fruits pollinated in the previous year (2010), sowing seed in situ at appropriate microsites (to induce natural germination) and also collecting some seed for future ex situ production at ABG. I performed the cross-pollination of many different individuals to increase genetic diversity (Figure 9). We extracted in situ seed packets (deposited earlier) to examine for in situ germination. We also surveyed for and observed the development of new seedlings from natural seed germination (dispersion conducted in the year 2010) (Figure 10). Figure 9: Danielle cross pollinating Cyrtopodium punctatum. Figure 10: Seedling recruits as a result of 2009 in situ seed sowing efforts. We carefully scouted for and selected microsites that presented conditions as close as possible to those thought to be required by Cyrtopodium punctatum. Over a four day period, much work was completed in the conservation of the Cigar orchids. A new height in a 3 year project was reached as 88 robust seedlings were introduced back into their natural environments of the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve (Figure 11). This act alone would more than quadruple the known number of individuals within the park prior to the start of this important project. Figure 10: Dennis Giardina (FFWC) secures a seedling of Cyrtopodium punctatum to the host tree. At the end of the internship we had a positive balance in the exchange of experiences and knowledge. Hopefully next year we will be able to evaluate the success of the 2011 work, and achieve even more impressive numbers for the year 2012. I would like to sincerely thank the Naples Orchid Society for their gracious support of this internship. The process was both enriching and fulfilling from an experience standpoint, and important from a conservation standpoint. I would also like to thank The Atlanta Botanical Garden for their matching financial contributions, and the Friends of the Fakahatchee Strand for providing additional financial support of this conservation project. This project has involved many agencies and partners including FDEP (Florida Deparment of Environmental Protection), FFWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Commision), Naples Orchid Sociey, Friends of the Fakahatchee Strand, OSSSU (Orchid Seed Stores for Sustainable Usage), UFPR – Brazil (Universidade Federal do Paraná) and ABG (Atlanta Botanical Garden). Collaborations such as these are important to foster and continue as the future conservations problems that will arise may not be addressed alone. Danielle Lopes Ferreira Botany Master Degree Student Botany Post- Graduation Program – UFPR (Brazil)