Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Population status, threats, and conservation options of the orchid Dactylorhiza hatagirea in Indian Western Himalaya

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Regional Environmental Change Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo (Orchidaceae) is a critically endangered high-value medicinal plant collected from wild and extensively used against diabetes, cuts/wound healing, gastric disorders, chronic fever, seminal weakness/dysfunctions, and bone fractures. The tuber of the species yields high quality “Salep” having astringent and aphrodisiac properties, with high economic value. This results in high demand and illegal collection of the species from wild, thus making this species one of the most exploited species in the Indian Himalaya. The populations of D. hatagirea are restricted to small isolated pockets and are subject to destructive harvesting, therefore, need urgent in situ as well as ex situ conservation interventions. In view of this, the present study is an attempt to understand population status, its distribution, threats, and vulnerability of the species. A total of 14 sites in different habitat types along the altitudinal gradient (2500–4500 m) were selected for intensive field study in the Indian Western Himalaya. The results of the study reveal that D. hatagirea prefers moist laden undulating habitats in alpine meadows. The population density of the species ranges between 0.70 and 2.43 individuals/m2 in alpine meadows of the studied sites. Population density and species abundance increased significantly along the altitude within its range of occurrence. The relationship between altitude and total density was curvilinear and significant (r2=0.666, p<0.002), whereas non-linear and non-significant (r2=0.224, p>0.247) between slope and total density. The results of the study also indicate that the vegetation in alpine ecosystem were more diverse in species composition at mid-altitudes (3400 to 3700 m) than high altitudes. Destructive harvesting of underground tuber and irregular grazing were observed as critical threats to the species. D. hatagirea share habitats with few expanding species (i.e., Polygonum polystachyum) and highly traded species (i.e., Ophiocordyceps sinensis) in the alpine meadows, which affects its population density. The study concluded that short life cycle, poor seed germination rate, specific microhabitat requirement, low population density, and high commercial value limit the widespread distribution of the species in the region. The findings of the study suggest an urgent need for developing conservation and management plan for the species in the region for sustaining traditional health care system and pharmaceutical demand.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agarwal A, Purwar JP, Khokhar D, Kumar R (2015) Microscopic studies of in vitro seed germination and protocorm development in Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo: a critically endangered medicinal orchid of Northwestern Himalaya. Vegetos- Int J plant Sci 28(2):166–170. https://doi.org/10.5958/2229-4473.2015.00052.X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed MJ, Murtaza G, Shaheen H, Habib T (2020) Distribution pattern and associated flora of Jurinea dolomiaea in the western Himalayan highlands of Kashmir: an indicator endemic plant of alpine phytodiversity. Ecol Indic 116:106461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson ET (1980) Flora of the Himalayas, with special reference to Kumaon, Garhwal, Nepal, and Tibet. Cosmo publications, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Badola HK, Aitken S (2003) The Himalayas of India: a treasury of medicinal plants under siege. Biodivers 4(3):3–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/14888386.2003.9712694

  • Baskin CC, Baskin JM (1998) Seeds: ecology, biogeography, and, evolution of dormancy and germination. Academic press, USA

  • Bhatt A, Joshi SK, Gairola S (2005) Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo – a west Himalayan orchid in peril. Curr Sci 89(4):610–612. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24111155

  • Boscutti F, Casolo V, Beraldo P, Braidot E, Zancani M, Rixen C (2018) Shrub growth and plant diversity along an elevation gradient: evidence of indirect effects of climate on alpine ecosystems. PlosOne 13(4):e0196653. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196653

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Broxton PD, Troch PA, Lyon SW (2009) On the role of aspect to quantify water transit times in small mountainous catchments. Water Resour Res 45(8):1–15. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008WR007438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burnett BN, Meyer GA, McFadden LD (2008) Aspect-related microclimatic influences on slope forms and processes, northeastern Arizona. J Geophys Res Earth Surf 113:1–18. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JF000789

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chauhan HK, Bisht AK, Bhatt ID, Bhatt A, Gallacher D, Santo A (2018) Population change of Trillium govanianum (Melanthiaceae) amid altered indigenous harvesting practices in the Indian Himalayas. J Ethnopharmcol 213:302–310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2017.11.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham AB (1996) People, park and plant use: recommendations for multiple-use zones and development alternatives around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. People, park and plant use: recommendations for multiple-use zones and development alternatives around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

  • Curtis JT, McIntosh RP (1950) The interrelations of certain analytic and synthetic phytosociological characters. Ecology 31:434–455. https://doi.org/10.2307/1931497

  • Dar GH, Naqshi AR (2002) Plant resources of Kashmir: diversity, utilization and conservation. Natural Resources of Western Himalaya. Valley Book House, Srinagar, Kashmir

    Google Scholar 

  • Deva S, Naithani HB (1986) Orchids of the north-western Himalaya. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun, Dehradun

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhar U, Rawal RS, Upreti J (2000) Setting priorities for conservation of medicinal plants- a case study in the Indian Himalaya. Biol Conserv 95:57–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3207(00)00010-0

  • Dhiman N, Sharma NK, Thapa P, Sharma I, Swarnkar MK, Chawla A, Shankar R, Bhattacharya A (2019) De novo transcriptome provides insights into the growth behavior and resveratrol and trans-stilbenes biosynthesis in Dactylorhiza hatagirea- an endangered alpine terrestrial orchid of western Himalaya. Sci Report 9:13133. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-49446-w

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dhyani PP, Kala CP (2005) Current research on medicinal plants: five lesser-known but valuable aspects. Curr Sci 88(3):335

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuentes-Castillo T, Hernández HJ, Patricio Pliscoff P (2020) Hotspots and ecoregion vulnerability driven by climate change velocity in Southern South America. Reg Environ Chang 20:27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-020-01595-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ganie AH, Tali BA, Khuroo AA, Reshi ZA, Nawchoo IA (2019) Impact assessment of anthropogenic threats to high-valued medicinal plants of Kashmir Himalaya, India. J Nat Conserv 50:125715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2019.125715

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garbyal SS, Aggarwal KK, Babu CR (2005) Return of biodiversity in Darma valley, Dharchula Himalayas, Uttaranchal, North India following fortuitous changes in traditional lifestyle of the local inhabitants. Curr Sci 88(5):722–725. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24111256

  • Giri D, Tamta S (2012) Propagation and conservation of Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo, an endangered alpine orchid. Afr J Biotechnol 11(62):12586–12594. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB11.3287

  • Goraya GS, Ved DK (2017) Medicinal plants in India: an assessment of their demand and supply. National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, New Delhi and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammer O, Harper DA, Ryan PD (2001) PAST paleontological statistics, software package for education and data analysis. Palaeontol Electron 4:4–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Kala CP (2005) Indigenous uses, population density and conservation of threatened medicinal plants in protected areas of the Indian Himalayas. Conserv Biol 19(2):368–378. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3591249

  • Kershaw KA (1973) Quantitative and Dynamic Plant Ecology. Elbsd and Edward Arnold, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Kizu H, Kaneko E, Tomimori T (1999) Studies on Nepalese Crude Drugs. XXVI. Chemical constituents of PanchAunle, the roots of Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo. Chem Pharm Bull 47(11):1618–1625. https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.47.1618

  • Kumar M, Pandit MJ (2019) Identifying conservation priorities for plant species in the Himalaya in current and future climates: a case study from Sikkim Himalaya, India. Biol Conserv 233:176–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.02.036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kutiel P, Lavee H (1999) Efffect of slope aspect on soil and vegetation properties along an aridity transect. Isr J Plant Sci 47:169. https://doi.org/10.1080/07929978.1999.10676770

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maira L, Ridleya FA, Fleming VL, Philip JK, McGowan PJK (2019) A risk assessment framework to improve the efficiency of CITES. Biol Conserv 239:108260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malik ZA, Bhat JA, Ballabha R, Bussmann RW, Bhatt AB (2015) Ethnomedicinal plants traditionally used in health care practices by inhabitants of Western Himalaya. J Ethnopharmcol 172:133–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.06.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehta P, Sekar KC, Bhatt D, Tewari A, Bisht K, Upadhyay S, Negi VS, Soragi B (2020) Conservation and prioritization of threatened plants in Indian Himalayan Region. Biodivers Conserv 29(6):1723–1745. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-020-01959-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra R (1968) Ecology field book. Oxford and IBH, Delhi, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Murti SK (2001) Flora of cold deserts of western Himalaya. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta

    Google Scholar 

  • Naithani BD (1984) Flora of Chamoli. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah

    Google Scholar 

  • Nautiyal S, Kaechele H (2007) Adverse impacts of pasture abandonment in Himalayan protected areas: testing the efficiency of a Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP). Environ Impact Assess Rev 27:109–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2006.10.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nautiyal MC, Nautiyal BP, Prakash V (2004) Effect of grazing and climatic changes on alpine vegetation of Tungnath, Garhwal Himalaya, India. Environmentalist 24(2):125–134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-004-4803-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Negi CS, Pant M, Joshi P, Bohra S (2014) Yartsa Gunbu [Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J. M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora]: the issue of its sustainability. Curr Sci 107(5):882–887. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24105594

  • Negi VS, Maikhuri RK, Maletha A (2017) Polygonum polystachyum: peril to biodiversity of the alpine ecosystem, Western Himalaya, India. Curr Sci 113(12):2249–2251. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26493529

  • Negi VS, Kewlani P, Pathak R, Bhatt D, Bhatt ID et al (2018a) Criteria and indicators for promoting cultivation and conservation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Western Himalaya, India. Ecol Indic 93:434–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.03.032

  • Negi VS, Giri L, Sekar KC (2018b) Floristic diversity, community composition and structure in Nanda Devi National Park after prohibition of human activities, Western Himalaya. India Curr Sci 115(6):1056–1064. https://doi.org/10.18520/cs/v115/i6/1056-1064

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Negi VS, Rana SK, Giri L, Rawal RS (2020) Caterpillar fungus in the Himalaya, current understanding and future possibilities. G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora , Uttarakhand, India

  • Noroozi J, Moser D, Essl F (2015) Diversity, distribution, ecology and description rates of alpine endemic plant species from Iranian mountains. Alp Bot 126(1):1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00035-015-0160-4

  • Odum EP, Barrett GW (1971) Fundamentals of ecology. Saunders, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Pandey N, Nautiyal BP, Bhatt AB (2000) Studies on vegetation analysis, plant form and biological spectrum of an alpine zone of north-west Himalaya. Trop Ecol 40:163–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Pandey A, Sekar KC, Joshi B, Rawal RS (2018) Threat assessment of high-value medicinal plants of cold desert areas in Johar valley, Kailash Sacred Landscape, India. Plant Biosyst 153(1):39–47. https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2018.1448010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paudel S, Vetaas OR (2014) Effects of topography and land use on woody plant species composition and beta diversity in an arid Trans-Himalayan landscape, Nepal. J Mt Sci 11:1112–1122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-013-2858-3

  • Rajasekaran C, Maikhuri RK, Kuseum C, Kandari LS, Kalaivanil T, Rao KS (2009) Multiplication and conservation of Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo–endangered medicinal orchid of higher Himalaya. MIOS J 10(1):7–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen HN (2002) Recent developments in the study of orchids mycorrhizal. Plant Soil 244:149–163. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020246715436

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rawat GS, Uniyal VK (1993) Pastoralism and plant conservation: the Valley of Flowers dilemma. Environ Conserv 20(2):164–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rinchen T, Pant S, Anwar M (2012) Population census of critically endangered Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo in Suru valley, (cold desert region, Jammu and Kashmir, India). Intern J Biodiver Conserv 4(9):332–335. https://doi.org/10.5897/IJBC11.250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samant SS (1996) Conservation of rare endangered plants: the context of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. In: Ramakrishnan PS, Purohit AN, Saxena KG, Rao KS, Maikhuri RK (eds) Conservation and management of biological resources in Himalaya. Oxford and IHB publishing company, New Delhi, pp 521–545

    Google Scholar 

  • Samant SS, Dhar U, Palni LMS (1998) Medicinal plants of Himalaya: diversity, distribution potential values. Gyanodaya Prakashan, Nainital

    Google Scholar 

  • Semwal DP, Saradhi PP, Nautiyal BP, Bhatt AB (2007) Current status, distribution and conservation of rare and endangered medicinal plants of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. Central Himalayas India. Curr Sci 92(12):1733–1738. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24107624

  • Shapoo GA, Kaloo ZA, Singh S, Ganie AH, Padder BM (2013) In vitro seed germination and development of protocorm like bodies (PLBs) in two orchid plant species Epipactis royleana Lindl. and Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D.Don) Soo growing in Kashmir Himalaya. Int J Adv Res 1(10):291–295

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon JW, Balick MJ, Laris SA (1997) Medicinal plants: can utilization and conservation coexist? Adv Econ Bot 12:1–104. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43931401

  • Shrestha N, Shrestha KK (2012) Vulnerability assessment of high-valued medicinal plants in Langtang National Park, Central. Nepal Biodivers 13(1):24–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/14888386.2012.666715

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh AP, Singh R (2012) Potent natural aphrodisiacs for the management of erectile dysfunction and male sexual debilities. Front Biosci 1(4):167–180. https://doi.org/10.2741/259

  • Singh L, Tariq M, Sekar KC, Bhatt ID, Nandi SK (2017) Ecological niche modelling: an important tool for predicting suitable habitat and conservation of the Himalayan medicinal herbs. ENVIS Bulletin 27:154–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Tali BA, Ganie AH, Nawchoo IA, Wani AA, Reshi ZA (2014) Assessment of threat status of selected endemic medicinal plants using IUCN regional guidelines: a case study from Kashmir Himalaya. J Nat Conserv 23:80–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2014.06.004

  • Thakur M, Dixit VK (2007) Aphrodisiac activity of Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo in male albino rats. Evid Based Complementary Altern Med 4(S1):29–31. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nem111

  • Thakur M, Loeppert R, Praznik W, Dixit VK (2008) Effect of some Ayurvedic Vajikaran Rasayana herbs on heat induced testicular damage in male albino rats. J Complem Integrat Med 5(1). https://doi.org/10.2202/1553-3840.1112

  • Thakur M, Thompson D, Connellan P, Deseo MA, Morris C, Dixit VK (2013) Improvement of penile erection, sperm count and seminal fructose levels in vivo and nitric oxide release in vitro by Ayurvedic herbs. Andrologia 43:273–277. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0272.2010.01068.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thakur D, Rathore N, Sharma MK, Chawla A (2018) Enhanced reproductive success revealed key strategy for persistence of devastated populations in Himalayan food deceptive orchid, Dactylorhiza hatagirea. Plant Species Biol 33(3):191–202. https://doi.org/10.1111/1442-1984.12205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uniyal SK, Awasthi A, Rawat GS (2002) Current status and distribution of commercially exploited medicinal and aromatic plants in upper Gori valley, Kumaon Himalaya, Uttaranchal. Curr Sci 82(10):1246–1252. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24107047

  • Uniyal A, Uniyal SK, Rawat GS (2011) Commercial extraction of Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth. in the Western Himalaya. Mt Res Dev 3(3):201–208. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-10-00125.1

  • Vij SP (2002) Orchids and tissue culture: current status: In: S. K. Nandi., L. M. S. Palni & A. Kumar (eds.), Role of tissue culture in biodiversity conservation and economic development. Gyanodaya Pralashan, Nainital

  • Vij SP, Srivastav RC, Mainra AK (1992) On the occurrence of Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D.Don) Soo in Sikkim. Orchid News 8-9:14–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang L, Wei S, Horton R, Shao MA (2011) Effects of vegetation and slope aspect on water budget in the hill and gully region of the Loess Plateau of China. CATENA 87:90–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2011.05.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warghat AR, Bajpai PK, Srivastava RB, Chaurasia OP, Sood H (2013) Population genetic structure and conservation of small fragmented locations of Dactylorhiza hatagirea in Ladakh region of India. Sci Hortic 164:448–454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2013.09.044

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Warren RJ (2008) Mechanisms driving understory evergreen herb distributions across slope aspects: as derived from landscape position. Plant Ecol 198:297–308. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-008-9406-1

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Director, G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, for encouragement and providing necessary facilities. We are highly thankful to Dr. Shashi Upadhyay for input in statistical analysis. Ms. Nidhi Kanwar, Senior Research Fellow, Center for Environment Assessment and Climate Change, is acknowledged for preparation of the study area map.

Funding

Partial financial support from Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India (R&D grant no. BT/Env./BC/01/2010 dated 23.03.2012), National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, Task Force-3 “Forest Resources and Plant Biodiversity” [DST/SPLICE/CCP/NMSHE/TF/GBPIHED/2014 (G) dated 2/0914], and Uttarakhand Council for Science and Technology, Dehradun (R&D grant no. UCS&T/R&D-05/19-20/17531), is gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Biodiversity Conservation and Management, G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand, 263643, India

    Laxman Singh, Indra D. Bhatt, Vikram S. Negi, Shyamal K. Nandi & Ranbeer S. Rawal

  2. Department of Botany, D. S. B Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India

    Anil K. Bisht

Authors
  1. Laxman Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Indra D. Bhatt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Vikram S. Negi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shyamal K. Nandi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ranbeer S. Rawal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Anil K. Bisht
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Indra D. Bhatt.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Communicated by Anne Bousquet-Melou

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Singh, L., Bhatt, I.D., Negi, V.S. et al. Population status, threats, and conservation options of the orchid Dactylorhiza hatagirea in Indian Western Himalaya. Reg Environ Change 21, 40 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-021-01762-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-021-01762-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation