4.3 | Genetic diversity of C. faberi and
conservation implication
There have been efforts made to understand the impact of habitat
fragmentation on genetic diversity of plant species, and genetic
diversity of populations located in fragmented landscape was lower
compared to those in continuous ones (Aguilar, Quesada, Ashworth,
Herrerias-Diego, & Lobo, 2008; Dixo, Metzger, Morgante, & Zamudio,
2009), which can be explained by the increased genetic drift and
inbreeding (Suárez-Montes, Chávez-Pesqueira, & Núñez-Farfán, 2016).
For orchid family, it is usually considered that it has high genetic
diversity due to outcrossing and long-live, but fragmentation can modify
this diversity. A previous study of terrestrial orchid Cymbidium
goeringii found higher genetic diversity in continuous forests compared
to fragment ones (Chung et al., 2014). Genetic diversity of Phaius
australis in fragmented habitat was low across all populations
(Simmons, Mathieson, Lamont, & Shapcott, 2018). Similarly, the genetic
diversity analysis in our study of C. faberi also indicated that
levels of population genetic diversity of fragmented populations was low
(Hd was 0.500 and 0.661, respectively), but higher compared to an
epiphytic orchid, Epidendrum firmum , which located in isolated
bands of Neotropical mountain (mean Hd was 0.454) (Kartzinel,
Shefferson, & Trapnell, 2013). Similar values for genetic diversity
were also reported for orchid Cypripedium calceolus in a
fragmented landscape where haplotype diversity was from 0 to 0.689
(Minasiewicz, Znaniecka, Górniak, & Kawiński, 2018).
Given the declined genetic diversity in fragmented populations, we
recommend effective measures should be developed to the genetic
conservation of the C. faberi . Primarily, selling of wild orchids
is strictly prohibited without the trade permits. Additionally, raise
local residents’ awareness on the importance of biodiversity
conservation through various activities is necessary to enhance species
population persistence and evolutionary potential. Such information is
essential for the proper design of conservation strategies in the
Qingling Mountains.