Cephalanthera epipactoides

As a mycoheterotrophic semi-forestal species it is effectively vulnerable to litter and humus erosion by overgrazing. Conversely, land abandonment is presumed favourable to the development of new localities. Forest fires, as a consequence of land abandonment, are probably not really impacting the dynamics of this species. Plant collection is not quantified, but the species is obviously not impacted by salep collection because of the lack of tubercles (rhizomatous species). Deforestation and road construction are the more severe threats but seem to remain localized at this stage. A recent example is nevertheless documented in Chios (Alibertis 2015). In some part of Turkey, e.g. western-central Anatolia, climatic oscillations (Touchan et al. 2007) and/or overgrazing and/or overexploitation (Curebal et al. 2015) could be a threat and also explain the historical regression of the species and its semi-arid forest habitats.

It is present in protected areas such as the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park, and the Voreia Chios Natura 2000 site (IUCN and UNEP-WCMC 2018). The orchid is included under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and Annex B of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations (CITES 2018). 

In Bulgaria, the species is protected by the Biodiversity Act, and part of the population at the Likana locality is a protected site (Natura 2000 site). In Greece, the species has been assessed as Near Threatened as a result of numerous new populations being found in recent years (Tsiftsis and Tsiripidis 2016).

The species can be protected also through:

• Forest protection throughout its range, including control of overgrazing and forest cutting (Curebal et al. 2015).
• Ex situ conservation: artificial propagation, re-introduction, seed/rhizome/mycorrhize collection.
• Monitoring existing populations and sites.
• Estimate the population size and study their dynamics (Phitos et al. 1995).