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Orchid diversity: Spatial and climatic patterns from herbarium records
Anne C Gaskett1, Rachael V Gallagher2
1School of Biological Sciences The University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand.
Ecology and Evolution
|December 7, 2018
Summary
Orchid diversity globally does not correlate with land area. Australian orchid distribution is influenced by environmental factors, not range or climate expansion, suggesting diversification relies on symbiotic relationships.
Area of Science:
- Botany and Ecology
- Biodiversity Studies
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- The Orchidaceae family is known for its high species diversity and rarity.
- Understanding spatial and climatic patterns of diversification is crucial for conservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate global and Australian spatial and climatic patterns of orchid diversification.
- To determine if orchid diversity correlates with land area, herbarium collecting effort, range size, or climate niche breadth.
- To map the spatial distribution of Australian orchids within protected areas and climate space.
Main Methods:
- Global comparison of orchid diversity with land area.
- Analysis of Australian herbarium records to assess collecting effort, species diversity, range sizes, and niche breadths.
- Spatial and climate mapping of Australian orchid distributions.
Main Results:
- Global orchid diversity does not correlate with land area.
- Australian orchid diversity, range sizes, and niche breadths generally align with herbarium records and collecting effort.
- Orchids occupy 13% of Australia, with 211 species outside protected areas; richness is highest in Temperate, Tropical, and Subtropical biomes.
- Orchids avoid arid environments; they have narrower range sizes and, for diverse genera, narrower rainfall breadths than non-orchid species.
Conclusions:
- Herbarium data are sufficient for studying Australian orchids.
- Environmental factors likely drive orchid distribution.
- Diversification is not linked to increased range or climate breadth, suggesting speciation relies on mycorrhizal and pollinator symbioses rather than habitat invasion.
Keywords:
Australian Virtual HerbariumOrchidaceaebiogeographycollecting effortnatural history collectionsniche breadthprotected areasspecies richnessMore Related Videos
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