Assess

Understanding the conservation status of orchids

 

The "Assess" component focuses on improving knowledge of orchid diversity, distribution, threats, and conservation status. This is a critical foundation for all orchid conservation work, especially because many orchid species remain under-assessed, poorly documented, or lacking recent field information.

The In Situ Subgroup supports efforts to identify knowledge gaps, gather field-based information, and contribute to conservation assessments, including the IUCN Red List process. This may include compiling occurrence data, documenting habitat and population information, identifying threats, supporting expert review, and highlighting species that require urgent attention.

Assessment work is not only about assigning a category of extinction risk. It also helps clarify what is known, what remains uncertain, and what actions may be needed. For orchids, this can include information on habitat loss, trade pressure, climate change, pollinator or mycorrhizal dependence, population decline, restricted distributions, and protection within or outside conserved areas.

By strengthening the orchid conservation knowledge base, the Assess component helps guide priorities, inform planning, support policy, and enable more effective conservation action.