Conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial orchids in Turkey

Project country: Turkey

Summary of project activities implemented
In Turkey, terrestrial orchid bulbs have been harvested and used since antiquity to produce salep (dried and ground orchid bulbs) which is used as medicine, in drinks and as a binder for ice cream. It is estimated that in Turkey up to 30-50 million wild orchid bulbs are collected annually. The high rate of salep production has caused an unsustainable exploitation of bulbs which could lead to orchid extinction, if no alternative solution can be found. A preliminary study shows possible solutions and measures that can be taken to counter the disappearance of these orchids.
During a 5 year project, methods for natural propagation and sustainable harvesting of wild orchid bulbs will be tested in two selected villages in eastern and western Turkey. In addition, management procedures will be developed to provide sustainable revenues for the families harvesting the orchid bulbs.
For the long term protection of these orchids, conservation measures will be combined with social and economic aspects. The solutions are based on three levels: propagation of plants; development of revenue alternatives for the bulb harvesters and support and funding for local interest groups; knowledge transfer and long term production and marketing strategies.

Results of Phase 1
The essential parts of the first project phase have been completed: the initial investigations into the areas of distribution have been carried out, observation areas defined and propagation experiments set up in Switzerland and in local Turkish universities and companies.

The measures originally planned to ensure the transfer of knowledge from Turkey to Switzerland and vice-versa have also been carried out.

Outlook
The results now available show the high degree of topicality and relevance of the project. The latest estimates suggest that approximately 50-80 million orchid bulbs are removed from natural locations annually for salep production. In the preliminary studies (technical report by D. Lagnaz for the attention of DEZA/Swisscontact 2003) we assumed that the number was about 30 million bulbs.

The open air tests, involving observation areas in natural locations, will provide the first concrete results from the further steps we have planned. Moreover, contacts already made with collectors, farmers and traders will provide an additional basis for the planned pilot projects in villages from 2008. The management of the project has potential for improvement, however. Through increased personal contacts, including regular exchanges between lecturers and students, we expect that the continuity of information flow in Phases 2 and 3 of the project will be guaranteed and that working rhythms will be harmonised. In addition, we anticipate that there will be an increased commitment to honouring deadlines.

The second project phase is designed to define a detailed methodology for propagation so that specific working instructions can be issued to farmers and nurseries, together with recommendations for collection in uncultivated locations.
Moreover, options for the development of alternative cultures, such as geophytes that can be used for seasoning and medicine, will be investigated in order to reduce the pressure on orchid populations.

Project duration: October 2006 – April 2008