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.