Naples Orchid Society International Internship SW

Naples Orchid Society International Internship SW Florida Orchid Conservation Cyrtopodium punctatum; Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve Supervisor: Matt Richards (mrichards@atlantabotanicalgarden.org) Internship student: Danielle Lopes Ferreira (danicabio@yahoo.com.br)
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)