Bulbophyllum artostigma

The drivers of forest change in Papua New Guinea's forests were identified as subsistence agriculture, logging, forest fires, clearance for plantations and mine-related forest clearance (Shearman et al. 2008). However, the locality and habitat type for this orchid are unknown and any specific threats are also unknown. Species of the genus Bulbophyllum can be in demand for cultivation and may be targeted by orchid collectors, particularly as improvements in air transport have allowed other orchids from remote areas, such as the Highlands of New Guinea, to reach nurseries, for example in the U.S.A. within a few days of their collection from the wild (Cribb 1983) and collection from the wild is a potential threat to this species.

It is not known whether this species is conserved within any protected area, but one ex situ conservation site is known (BGCI 2017). Surveys and further research are needed to provide information about the current distribution, population and habitat status for this species. Further studies are needed to understand its life history, ecology and specific threats in order to determine if any targeted conservation measures or monitoring are required.