Chamorchis des Alpes

The populations and the biotopes of Chamorchis alpina are locally under numerous anthropogenic threats especially from tourism and the establishment of ski lifts, new ski paths and  recreational activities and mountain sports. Plant collection poses a further threat. (Bournérias and Prat 2005, Delforge 1995, GIROS 2009, Pignatti 1982, Rossi 2002, Vakhrameeva et al. 2008).  

All orchid species are included under Annex B of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This orchid is listed as Endangered in Finland (Rassi et al. 2010) and Vulnerable in France (UICN France et al. 2010), but as Least Concern in Germany (Ludwig and Schnittler 1996), Norway (Artsdatabanken 2010) and Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002).

The following actions are recommended to protect Chamorchis alpina;

• Protection of the habitat from ski lifts, new ski paths, recreational activities and mountain sports by fencing the vulnerable sites.
• Raise public awareness.
• Protection of the living individuals through legislation that bans the species from being picked or dug up.
• Ex situ conservation: Artificial propagation, re-introduction, seed collections.
• Monitoring and surveillance of the existing populations and sites.
• Estimate the population size and study their dynamics