Hong Kong Orchid Conservation Priorities Using Phylogenetic 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 correlates threat status with ecological traits like habit and trade. It identifies Vanilla shenzhenica and Nervilia plicata among the highest-priority species for targeted protection.

Use Cases

• Prioritizing conservation actions for evolutionarily distinct species based on EDGE2 scores.
• Analyzing correlations between threat status and ecological traits like habitat specificity and trade.
• Comparing local versus national extinction risk assessments for the same orchid taxa.
• Informing trade mitigation and population rescue plans for specific high-priority orchid species.

Strengths

• Includes 138 native orchid taxa with associated local and national Red List statuses.
• Phylogenetic analysis is based on sequence data from four genetic markers (ITS, trnL-F, matK, trnH-psbA).
• Applies the latest EDGE2 conservation prioritization framework, which balances evolutionary history with extinction risk.

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation are unknown, requiring manual inspection after download.
• The dataset is very small at 18.4 KB, indicating limited scope or summary-level data.
• Freshness should be verified as the last update date is in the future (2026-04-28).

Provenance

Source

figshare

Collection Method

Compiled from a comprehensive checklist and constructed a time-calibrated phylogeny using genetic sequence data.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-28 05:28:28

Geography

Hong Kong, part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot