Orchid Obscurity: Understanding Domestic Trade in Wild-Harvested Orchids in Viet Nam.
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fevo-09-631795.pdf
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715.6 KB
Format
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Resource type
Journal article
Date published
June 25, 2021
Abstract
Unsustainable and illegal wildlife trade is a well-known conservation issue, but there are still large gaps in our understanding of how trade chains operate for the majority of over-exploited wildlife products. In particular, the large-scale global plant trade is under-reported and under-researched, and this is even more pronounced when the trade takes place within a country’s borders. A clear example is the trade in orchids, all species of which are listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Although countries such as Viet Nam are known hotspots for the large-scale collection of wild orchids for the international horticultural trade, little is known about how plants move from the wild to the end-consumer, what role is played by domestic markets and the sustainability of this trade. We use a mixed-methods approach to determine the structure of trade chains for orchids in key trading areas of Northern Viet Nam, and use a thematic framework to identify five groups of actors trading wild-harvested orchids. Trade occurs both domestically and internationally, underpinned by demand for rare, wild plants. An important first step to address the illegal and unsustainable plant trade is to recognise it as a major and growing conservation issue, and develop diverse approaches that consider the complexity of the supply chains involved. It is imperative that the scale and process of domestic trade is understood, and its impact on long term conservation of these species assessed to make more informed decisions about effective interventions that take into account the full supply chain.
Funder
| Funder name | Awards |
Royal Horticultural Society, United Kingdom | Coke Trust Bursary Fund 2018 |
University of Oxford, United Kingdom | Oxford Martin Programme on Wildlife Trade |
Worcester College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom | Kadas Fellowship |
Journal title
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Volume
9
Article number
631795
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Place of publication
Lausanne, Switzerland
eISSN
2296-701X
Date accepted
April 27, 2021
Official URL
Rights statement
In Copyright