Hong Kong Orchid Conservation Priorities Using EDGE2 Framework

138 native orchid taxa from Hong Kong are assessed for conservation priority using the EDGE2 metric, which integrates evolutionary distinctiveness with local and national Red List extinction risk. The dataset, created by Jihong Li and last updated in April 2026, includes phylogenetic data and trait correlations for 134 taxa. It identifies Vanilla shenzhenica and four other species as the highest conservation priorities.

Use Cases

• Prioritizing conservation actions for orchids based on evolutionary distinctiveness and threat status.
• Analyzing correlations between threat status and ecological traits like habit and habitat specificity.
• Comparing local versus national extinction risk assessments for the same species.
• Modeling regional conservation strategies for other biodiversity hotspots using the applied EDGE2 framework.

Strengths

• Includes 138 native orchid taxa with detailed phylogenetic analysis for 134 of them.
• Applies the EDGE2 metric, integrating evolutionary distinctiveness with two levels of Red List data.
• Identifies specific priority species like Vanilla shenzhenica and Nervilia plicata.
• Examines correlations between threat status and four key ecological and trade-related traits.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The dataset is small (203.2 KB), indicating limited scope, likely a summary table.

Provenance

Source

Jihong Li via figshare.

Collection Method

Compiled from a checklist and constructed a time-calibrated phylogeny using nuclear and plastid sequence data.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-28 05:28:30; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Hong Kong, part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot.