Conservation of rare and threatened plants
Te Papa researcher: Carlos Lehnebach
Understanding interactions between threatened plants and their pollinators and symbiotic partners is fundamental to secure their long-term survival either in their natural habitat or ex-situ collections.
This research aims at documenting the pollination biology of threatened plants and trees, identify orchid mycorrhizal partners and implement methods to propagate orchids from seed for conservation purposes.
Pollination of Bartlett’s Rata (Metrosideros bartlettii). Photo by Rewi Elliot, Otari Wilton’s Bush
Orchid seedling (Drymoanthus adversus) on branch. Photo by Karin van der Walt, Otari Wilton’s Bush
Main collaborators: Karin van der Walt, Ōtari Native Botanic Gardens, Wellington; Andrew Munkacsi, Victoria University of Wellington; Jennifer Tate, Massey University; Bruce Burns, The University of Auckland; Mahajabeen Padamsee, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research.
Funding: Department of Conservation; Australian Orchid Foundation; NZ Native Orchid Group; Australia & Pacific Science Foundation; NZ Lottery Grants; Te Papa Foundation
Representative publications:
Alderton-Moss, J., Munkacsi, A. B., van der Walt, K., & Lehnebach, C. A. (2023). Identification of fungal associates of the swamp helmet orchid (Corybas carsei), a threatened (nationally critical) species. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 62(4), 595–608.
van der Walt, K., Lehnebach, C. A., & Alderton-Moss, J. (2024). Asymbiotic germination, seedling establishment and fungal uptake of Pterostylis montana and P. paludosa, two orchid species endemic to New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 1–8.
Nadarajan, J., van der Walt, K., Lehnebach, C. A., Saeiahagh, H., & Pathirana, R. (2020). Integrated ex situ conservation strategies for endangered New Zealand Myrtaceae species. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 59(1), 72–89.