Climate Change has already had a huge effect on orchid species in many places including Wicomico Country. Because orchids have fragile and specialized pollination processes, they have a harder time dealing with temperature rises. Prof Hutchings, Emeritus Professor in Ecology, states, "the climate is changing so rapidly that the early spider orchid cannot respond effectively, leaving this species, and probably many other plants with highly specialized pollination mechanisms, facing the threat of severe decline and possible extinction" [1]. Research is carefully mapping out species by species what the detrimental effects may start to look like; Wicomico County only has several hidden locations where you can find wild orchids (the orchids you see in the store are all genetically altered into being uniform and not unique).
Although the chance of a Wicomico County resident spotting an orchid in their travels is slim, there are native species of orchid hiding in the hardwood swamps. Orchids are flowering plants that are dated back to roughly 100 million years require specialized habitats, pollinators and fungi in order to go through a successful life cycle. The plant can be an indicator of the health of an environment. The health of their environment is very important due to their vulnerable when the cycle is disrupted.
According to the North American Orchid Conservation Center, a large majority of orchids native to the area are extirpated (locally extinct) in Wicomico County. In December of 2016, Maryland revised their list of endangered and extinct orchids. Of the 33 orchid species in Maryland, 9 are extinct and many of the 33 are in danger.
Maryland Biodiversity Project has compiled a list of every orchid species in Maryland to date. The Showy Lady's Slipper orchid is threatened and endangered in northeastern states where it can still be found. There are records that state that the orchid once grew in western Maryland but has not been seen since the year 2000. The Dragon's Mouth (featured on the right) is one of the earliest orchids to be found in Maryland dating back to the British Museum of Natural History dating back to early 1700s [1].
To view an extensive list of the species alive in Maryland follow the link below:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewChecklist.php?category=Orchids
Although the chance of a Wicomico County resident spotting an orchid in their travels is slim, there are native species of orchid hiding in the hardwood swamps. Orchids are flowering plants that are dated back to roughly 100 million years require specialized habitats, pollinators and fungi in order to go through a successful life cycle. The plant can be an indicator of the health of an environment. The health of their environment is very important due to their vulnerable when the cycle is disrupted.
According to the North American Orchid Conservation Center, a large majority of orchids native to the area are extirpated (locally extinct) in Wicomico County. In December of 2016, Maryland revised their list of endangered and extinct orchids. Of the 33 orchid species in Maryland, 9 are extinct and many of the 33 are in danger.
Maryland Biodiversity Project has compiled a list of every orchid species in Maryland to date. The Showy Lady's Slipper orchid is threatened and endangered in northeastern states where it can still be found. There are records that state that the orchid once grew in western Maryland but has not been seen since the year 2000. The Dragon's Mouth (featured on the right) is one of the earliest orchids to be found in Maryland dating back to the British Museum of Natural History dating back to early 1700s [1].
To view an extensive list of the species alive in Maryland follow the link below:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewChecklist.php?category=Orchids
Click to return to Hardwood Swamps or learn more about its species!
References
- University of Sussex. (2018). Climate change is wreaking havoc on delicate relationship between orchids and bees.
- “Featured - Lost Orchids of Maryland -.” North American Orchid Conservation Center, northamericanorchidcenter.org/lost-orchids-of-maryland/
Photo used under Creative Commons from USFWS/Southeast