Forest & Bird Manawatu - November 2020 Monthly Meeting

Talk: The science behind the conservation of New Zealand orchids
Speaker: Carlos Lehnebach, Curator Botany, Te Papa

There are more than a 100 species of orchids in New Zealand and although several species are widespread across the country, a few are restricted to a single locality. Conservation of uncommon and threatened orchids requires an integrated approach that includes resolving taxonomic uncertainty and documenting their interactions with other organisms.

In this talk I will provide an insight into my current projects at Te Papa to describe NZ orchid diversity, understand their reliance on pollinators for sexual reproduction and fungal partners for seed germination, and establish methods to propagate threatened orchids for restoration purposes.

All welcome.
Gold coin donation appreciated.