Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Sylviusweg 72, P,O, Box 9517, Leiden, The Netherlands.
J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2013 Aug 31;9(1):64. doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-9-64.
Wild orchids are illegally harvested and traded in Nepal for use in local traditional medicine, horticulture, and international trade. This study aims to: 1) identify the diversity of species of wild orchids in trade in Nepal; 2) study the chain of commercialization from collector to client and/or export; 3) map traditional knowledge and medicinal use of orchids; and 4) integrate the collected data to propose a more sustainable approach to orchid conservation in Nepal.
Trade, species diversity, and traditional use of wild-harvested orchids were documented during field surveys of markets and through interviews. Trade volumes and approximate income were estimated based on surveys and current market prices. Orchid material samples were identified to species level using a combination of morphology and DNA barcoding.
Orchid trade is a long tradition, and illegal export to China, India and Hong Kong is rife. Estimates show that 9.4 tons of wild orchids were illegally traded from the study sites during 2008/2009. A total of 60 species of wild orchids were reported to be used in traditional medicinal practices to cure at least 38 different ailments, including energizers, aphrodisiacs and treatments of burnt skin, fractured or dislocated bones, headaches, fever and wounds. DNA barcoding successfully identified orchid material to species level that remained sterile after culturing.
Collection of wild orchids was found to be widespread in Nepal, but illegal trade is threatening many species in the wild. Establishment of small-scale sustainable orchid breeding enterprises could be a valuable alternative for the production of medicinal orchids for local communities. Critically endangered species should be placed on CITES Appendix I to provide extra protection to those species. DNA barcoding is an effective method for species identification and monitoring of illegal cross-border trade.
在尼泊尔，野生兰花被非法采集并交易，用于当地传统医学、园艺和国际贸易。本研究旨在：1）确定尼泊尔贸易中野生兰花物种的多样性；2）研究从采集者到客户和/或出口的商业化链条；3）绘制兰花的传统知识和药用用途图谱；4）整合收集的数据，提出尼泊尔兰花保护的更可持续方法。
通过对市场的实地调查和访谈，记录野生兰花的贸易、物种多样性和传统用途。根据调查和当前市场价格估算贸易量和估计收入。利用形态学和 DNA 条形码相结合的方法，对兰花材料样本进行鉴定到种的水平。
兰花贸易是一个悠久的传统，非法出口到中国、印度和香港非常猖獗。估计 2008/2009 年从研究地点非法交易了 9.4 吨野生兰花。共有 60 种野生兰花被报告用于传统医学实践，以治疗至少 38 种不同的疾病，包括兴奋剂、壮阳药和治疗烧伤皮肤、骨折或脱臼的骨骼、头痛、发烧和伤口。DNA 条形码成功地将兰花材料鉴定到种的水平，经过培养后仍然是不育的。
在尼泊尔，采集野生兰花的情况很普遍，但非法贸易对许多野生物种构成威胁。建立小规模可持续的兰花养殖企业，可能是为当地社区生产药用兰花的一种有价值的替代方法。极危物种应列入《濒危野生动植物种国际贸易公约》附录 I，为这些物种提供额外保护。DNA 条形码是物种鉴定和监测非法越境贸易的有效方法。
