7 Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis Studia Naturae, 1: 7–23, 2016, ISSN 2543-8832 Raúl Alvarez-Mora1, William Cetzal-Ix2*, Saikat Kumar Basu3, Eliana Noguera-Savelli4, Noel A. González-Valdivia2, Jesús F. Martínez-Puc2, Peiman Zandi5, Katarzyna Możdżeń6 1 Jardín Botánico Xoxoctic, Cuetzalan del Progreso, Puebla 2 Instituto Tecnológico de Chiná, Calle 11 entre 22 y 28, Colonia Centro Chiná 24050, Campeche, México, *rolito22@hotmail.com 3 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB Canada T1K 3M4 4 Catedrática Conacyt, Colegio de Postgraduados Campus Campeche. Carretera Haltunchén-Edzná Km. 17.5, Sichochac, Champotón, Campeche. Mexico. C.P. 24450 5 Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China 6 Department of Plant Physiology, Pedagogical University of Kraków, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Kraków, Poland Orchid diversity at Cuetzalan del Progreso, Puebla, Mexico – anthropogenic threats and potential for organic production for conservation purposes Introduction �e Puebla State, Mexico has not performed a comprehensive survey of the local or- chid �ora for a considerably long period. �ere are still fragments of tropical montane cloud forest and tropical rain forest in Puebla between the biogeographical provinces of the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Gulf of Mexico (Veracruz State border) which have not been totally explored. �e current orchid species reported for the State can be attributed to random studies conducted in the past two decades. Soto-Arenas (1988) recorded 127 species of orchids for Puebla and a decade lat- er Espejo-Serna and López-Ferrari (1998a, 1998b) recorded 146 species. Recently, Pérez-Bravo et al. (2010) conducted collection of orchids in the pine-oak forest in the north-east part of Puebla in the Xochiapulco and Zacapoaxtla municipalities, re- cording 12 species that increased the total number of orchid members for the state to 158. Additionally, various taxonomic (e.g. Solano-Gómez, 1993; Soto-Arenas et al., 2007; Hágsater, Soto-Arenas, 2003, 2008) and �oristic studies (e.g. Romero-Giordano, 2000) recorded through photographs and herbarium material another 14 species for the state, increasing the current number of species to 172. �e largest number of the species reported for Puebla is distributed mostly in the north-east and south-east parts of the state (Conabio, 2008), where the diversity of R aú l A lv ar ez -M or a, W ill ia m C et za l-I x, S ai ka t K um ar B as u, E lia na N og ue ra -S av el li N oe l A . G on zá le z- V al di vi a, J es ús F . M ar tín ez -P uc , P ei m an Z an di , K at ar zy na M oż dż eń R aú l A lv ar ez -M or a, W ill ia m C et za l-I x, S ai ka t K um ar B as u, E lia na N og ue ra -S av el li N oe l A . G on zá le z- V al di vi a, J es ús F . M ar tín ez -P uc , P ei m an Z an di , K at ar zy na M oż dż eń 8 the vegetation types of the Gulf of Mexico lowlands and the mountainous parts of the Sierra Madre Oriental makes these municipalities ecologically rich with high or- chid diversity. �is area is also considered as priority in conservation for its tropi- cal montane cloud forest and tropical rain forest by the Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y el Uso de la Biodiversidad of Mexico (Conabio, 2008). However, no comprehensive study of the orchid �ora of the region has been previously conducted to assess the number of orchid species and their conservation status in Cuetzalan del Progreso municipality. Our objective has been to explore this habitat, collect and record with photo- graphs di�erent species of Orchidaceae and also to identify any anthropogenic factors impacting the survival and existence of the local orchids in this fragile and highly fragmented ecosystem. Furthermore, we were to establish a model for the sustainable management and to promote conservation action of species at some level of threat and in the restoration of areas with fragmented forests. A viable approach will be to allow the introduction of in vitro orchid germination program and organic production of orchids by local residents and forest fringe communities; that will improve the local economy, reduce their dependence on the scarce forest resources and prevent illegal harvesting and tra�cking of wild orchids, and at the same time provide economic development for the local communities. Materials and methods Study area Cuetzalan del Progreso is one of the municipalities of the State of Puebla in Mexi- co, that still has conserved fragments of tropical montane cloud forest (Fig. 1B) and tropical rain forest (Fig. 1C). �is municipality is located in the north-eastern Pueb- la between the limits of the Eastern Sierra Madre and the Gulf of Mexico Provinces (Veracruz border) (Morrone, 2001, Fig. 2). �is ecosystem is located at an altitude ranging between 180–1600 m, with semi-warm to warm humid climate and rainfall throughout the year (Instituto Nacional de Estadística…, 1987, 2009). �e ecosystem also constitutes the pine-oak and tropical deciduous forests. However, these forests have been severely fragmented, unfortunately reducing them to minor fragments of vegetation due to drastic changes in land use pattern for cash rich co�ee production and for establishing grazing areas for the local livestock and dairy herds (Instituto Nacional de Estadística..., 1985). Botanical collections As part of our study of the orchid �ora of Mexico and as an e�ort to contribute to the knowledge of the �ora of the Puebla and Cuetzalan del Progreso, photographic O rchid diversity at C uetzalan del P rogreso, P uebla, M exico – anthropogenic threats and potential for organic production for conservation purposes 9 documentations were made between December 2010 and November 2013. �e spec- imens were photographed in their natural habitats. We have included the photos of the new records only (Appendix 1, Fig. 3–4). Some species were collected vegetatively and cultured in the Xoxoctic Botanical Garden in Cuetzalan del Progreso (20°2’22.63” N, 97°30’32.16” W) and when the plants later �owered, they were photographed and identi�ed. �e identi�cation of specimens was made based on the digital catalog of the Orchids of Mexico (Soto-Arenas et al., 2007). �e map of the study area was down- loaded from the Free Relief Layers for Google Maps (2013) and edited with the Adobe Photoshop 6.0.1. (Adobe Systems Inc, San Jose, California). �e line that divides the municipality into two biogeographic provinces is based on Morrone (2001) (Fig. 2). Data collection of species of plants illegally traded in tianguis of Cuetzalan del Progreso �e “tianguis” in Cuetzalan del Progreso are informal markets that are established on the major streets of the town on Saturdays and Sundays between 7 am to 5 pm. �roughout 2013 we conducted weekly visits to record and identify species of orchids that are being sold there. Results and discussion Floristic inventory, new records of orchids for Puebla, conservation status and illegally trade A total of 93 species were recorded in Cuetzalan del Progreso and it is quite exciting to report that 25 of these species are new reports for the Puebla �ora (Appendix 1, Fig. 3–4). With our latest �ndings the number of orchid species in this speci�c hab- itat has now increased to 197. It is noteworthy that about half (47%) of the species present in Puebla (3 430 600 ha) are in the Cuetzalan del Progreso (13 522 ha), which demonstrates the wide diversity of Orchidaceae of this municipality. Nine species are listed in the NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 (Semarnat, 2010) and one in documents of International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red list, 2016) (Appendix 1). Of the new records, two species are listed as subject to special protection and one as threatened. �e habitats where those species were photographed are quite close (ca. 500–1000 m of distance) to the surrounding human settlements and have been found to be severely deforested for indiscriminate agricultural activities and/or illegal timber collection of �rewood by the local settlers. While the survey identi�ed 25 new records from the region, it also identi�ed po- tential pitfalls in the e�orts for the conservation of the rich biodiversity of the region, including the spectacular orchid species biodiversity for the �rst time. �e species are extremely vulnerable to exploitation by local and indigenous populations. Irregular and R aú l A lv ar ez -M or a, W ill ia m C et za l-I x, S ai ka t K um ar B as u, E lia na N og ue ra -S av el li N oe l A . G on zá le z- V al di vi a, J es ús F . M ar tín ez -P uc , P ei m an Z an di , K at ar zy na M oż dż eń 10 Fig. 1. Cuetzalan del Progreso, Puebla, Mexico. a – Mountains of the Eastern Sierra Madre, B – Tropical montane cloud forest, C – Tropical rain forest (Photo. R. Alvarez-Mora) repeated harvesting of the species by local populations for illegal nursery trade could result in serious depletion of several species in the long term if careful attention is not paid immediately (Cetzal-Ix et al., 2014). �e other threats for the orchid species are: lack of monitoring and increased encroachments in the forested areas over the decades O rchid diversity at C uetzalan del P rogreso, P uebla, M exico – anthropogenic threats and potential for organic production for conservation purposes 11 Fig. 2. Study area and distribution of new records in Cuetzalan del Progreso, Puebla, Mexico. 1 – Acianthera angustifolia, 2 – Anathallis abbreviata, 3 – Aspydogyne querceticola, 4 – Campylocen- trum micranthum, 5 – Chysis bractescens, 6 – Corymborchis forcipigera, 7 – Dichaea trichocarpa, 8 – Encyclia gravida, 9 – Epidendrum di�usum, 10 – Erycina pusilla, 11 – Gongora truncata, 12 – Habe- naria �oribunda, 13 – Heterotaxis maleolens, 14 – Jacquiniella equitantifolia, 15 – Leochilus labiatus, 16 – Lophiaris lurida, 17 – Ornithocephalus in�exus, 18 – Polystachya lineata, 19 – Prescottia stachyodes, 20 – Sacoila lanceolata, 21 – Scaphyglottis fasciculata, 22 – Scaphyglottis lindeniana, 23 – Specklinia alata, 24 – Stelis rubens, 25 – Vanilla planifolia R aú l A lv ar ez -M or a, W ill ia m C et za l-I x, S ai ka t K um ar B as u, E lia na N og ue ra -S av el li N oe l A . G on zá le z- V al di vi a, J es ús F . M ar tín ez -P uc , P ei m an Z an di , K at ar zy na M oż dż eń 12 Fig. 3. Study area and locations of new records of Orchidaceae species in Cuetzalan del Progreso, Puebla, Mexico; a  – Acianthera angustifolia, b – Anathallis abbreviata, c – Aspydogyne querceticola, d – Cam- pylocentrum micranthum, e – Chysis bractescens, f – Corymborchis forcipigera, g – Dichaea trichocarpa, h – Encyclia gravida, i – Epidendrum di�usum, j – Erycina pusilla, k – Gongora truncata, l – Habenaria �oribunda, m – Heterotaxis maleolens, n – Jacquiniella equitantifolia, o – Leochilus labiatus, p – Lophiaris lurida (Photo. R. Alvarez-Mora) O rchid diversity at C uetzalan del P rogreso, P uebla, M exico – anthropogenic threats and potential for organic production for conservation purposes 13 Fig. 4. Study area and locations of new records of Orchidaceae species in Cuetzalan del Progreso, Puebla, Mexico; a – Ornithocephalus in�exus, b – Polystachya lineata, c – Prescottia stachyodes, d – Sacoila lan- ceolata, e – Scaphyglottis fasciculata, f – Scaphyglottis lindeniana, g – Specklinia alata, h – Stelis rubens, i – Vanilla planifolia (Photo. R. Alvarez-Mora) by local populations; cattle and livestock grazing in sensitive habitats; collection of food, fuel, fodder and fertiliser resources from the forests are adding serious anthropogenic interferences within the sensitive and extremely fragile ecosystem due to absence of any legal restrictions and comprehensive forest management policy. Many species of orchids present in Puebla state are con�scated from tianguis and private collections by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PRO- FEPA – Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente) (UN1ÓN, 2013). In 2013, species rescued by PROFEPA from illegal trade estimated to over 1000 specimens R aú l A lv ar ez -M or a, W ill ia m C et za l-I x, S ai ka t K um ar B as u, E lia na N og ue ra -S av el li N oe l A . G on zá le z- V al di vi a, J es ús F . M ar tín ez -P uc , P ei m an Z an di , K at ar zy na M oż dż eń 14 of orchids in Puebla alone (Islas, 2014). In this sense, 37 out of 93 species present in Cuetzalan del Progreso were recorded from tianguis of this municipality, involved in illegal trade of wild orchids (Appendix 1). Surprisingly, four new records presented here were observed on sale in di�erent tianguis of Cuetzalan del Progreso (Chysis bractescens, Dichaea trichocarpa, Encyclia gravida and Epidendrum di�usum). Also, �ve taxa under the category of “threatened” (Camaridium densum, Chysis bract- escens, Mormodes maculata var. unicolor, Oncidium incurvum, Stanhopea oculata and Stanhopea tigrina) and two species subject to “special protection” (Prosthechea vitellina and Vanilla planifolia) were also recorded from there (Appendix 1). �ose species were sold for between 250–280 pesos (approximately US$ 18.85–21.11) (Barragán, 2013). Organic production of local orchids Based on our study, the risks of commercial exploitation of the local orchid species, as well as illegal harvesting and trade on them by the local human populations have been substantial. �e average annual income of the majority of the family groups living around those biodiversity hotspots has been quite minimal in economic terms, barely su�cient to support them and to respond to their daily needs. As a consequence such remote rural residents and fringe forest dwellers have become increasingly dependent on whatever local forest resources are available for their sustenance. Slowly and steadi- ly they have been encroaching illegally into the protected forested zones out of poverty and due to absence of any viable alternative sources of income. �ey are also getting involved in illegal trade and the� of forest resources (with local orchids becoming a primary target for ruthless exploitation) and slowly turning into an impending dan- ger towards the destruction of the orchid biodiversity of this region. We sincerely believe that the situation will not improve unless a  sustainable ap- proach is adapted to cater for the economic needs of the local resident populations in the region from a humanitarian perspective. If alternative sources of income, educa- tion, and health care are introduced in a timely fashion for those helpless communi- ties, the bene�ts would come directly in the form of e�ective conservation of the local orchids and other �oral and faunal biodiversity of the Puebla ecoregion. We humbly suggest the introduction of in vitro orchid germination program and organic produc- tion of local orchids in the small community run cooperative nurseries and devel- opment of small in vitro and plant tissue culture laboratories in the region. �e local administration, the forest, and social services departments must cooperate to train enthusiastic residents into in vitro germination programme and organic production of orchids in those proposed cooperatives. Some interested and enthusiastic local and international non-government organizations (NGOs) dedicated to the cause of bio- diversity conservation and helping remote rural communities in becoming self-suf- O rchid diversity at C uetzalan del P rogreso, P uebla, M exico – anthropogenic threats and potential for organic production for conservation purposes 15 �cient and economically sustainable could be included as important stakeholders for further facilitating of the process. �e plants, cut �owers and seeds generated in those government and/or NGO mon- itored cooperatives could be bought back by the forest department and they could be easily sold to bigger commercial nurseries in the nearby cities that have high demand for orchids. �e plants and the seeds could be used in replenishing the reduced stocks of several populations of threatened orchid species in the local forests, thereby supporting the e�ort towards conservation of the local orchid biodiversity. Because there is a high demand for the local orchids, the factor can be rather explored to provide alternative employment for the needy local communities, as well as useful for conservation and biodiversity management too. If successful, the project could be extended to other local �oral groups available in the local forests, for which there is high demand. Furthermore, as local communities are traditionally and predominantly agrarian societies, it would be easier to teach them the practices of organic production of orchids rather than trades of modern agriculture heavily tilted towards over application of agro-chemicals. Commercial organic productions are suggested to avoid using excessive agro-chem- icals in the production system that may in turn cause contamination and pollution of the locality, and hence indirectly impact the local forests, as well as to keep the pro- duction costs under control. �e bene�ts of sustainable organic production will be higher economic returns for the community cooperatives, as well as reduced chances of undesirable pollution of the local environment. Another important concern and factor favoring the use of organic production of orchids by local cooperatives in this proposed model is that the adult plants and seedlings used as stocking and replen- ishment populations for conservation purposes in the remote forests are completely free of any external chemicals. �e precaution is essential to avoid contaminating the local forest ecosystem as less as possible. All cares must be taken so that it does not transmit to other �oral and faunal communities in the forest via food chains and food webs thorough the process of biomagni�cation, particularly by means of any biolog- ical pollinators. Although the initial cost of establishing training centers, nurseries, greenhouses, and o�ces will be covered, in the end, if the project runs successfully, it could well turn out into a  successful model that can be extended to other parts of Mexico and Latin America with similar and related anthropogenic threats for both economic ben- e�ts of the local communities, as well as conservation of local biodiversity. It will be extremely important to note that in the initial or founding years complete monitoring and surveillance of the production system will be absolutely essential. Strong govern- ment support, initiatives, training, funding, as well as political willingness and deter- mination at the beginning to carry the project forward would be important in making the organic production of local orchids sustainable, viable and successful. R aú l A lv ar ez -M or a, W ill ia m C et za l-I x, S ai ka t K um ar B as u, E lia na N og ue ra -S av el li N oe l A . G on zá le z- V al di vi a, J es ús F . M ar tín ez -P uc , P ei m an Z an di , K at ar zy na M oż dż eń 16 According to our humble evaluation, the �rst step in establishing this proposed model and platform will be to reach the local residents with empathy and patience, communicate with them through friendly dialogues, explain them the issues in sim- ple terms and in the next stage slowly make them participants and stakeholders in the entire process. As they will realize and understand the bene�ts of the project, they will also reciprocally become respectful towards their local environment and they are expected to become partners in the conservation process in the long term. Based on this proposed model we sincerely believe that the promotion of commer- cial production of local orchids in the cooperative nurseries developed for the local rural communities and fringe dwellers could make signi�cant sustainable changes both in the life of the resident communities and in the conservation of local orchid biodiversity. Conclusions We anticipate that if proper measures are not adopted by the local administration and by the forest department, several of the majestic species of orchids existing in the re- gion will soon be threatened with extinction. Since we consider orchids to be �agship plant species highlighting the rich biodiversity of this unique ecosystem, the loss of the orchids from the region will also indicate indirect loss of several other key species from this sensitive and fragile ecosystem. Climate change and global warming are causing widespread impact on the survival of several plant species including orchids and their primary and secondary pollinators (Hegland et al., 2009). Similar impacts are also possibly a�ecting the orchid species at Puebla. In addition, the excessive an- thropogenic stress in the region could have severe long-term impact on the survival and natural propagation of the orchid species of this region. �e majority of the new records reported here are also found to be distributed in Veracruz and in some cases in other states of south-eastern Mexico, such as Oax- aca and Chiapas. However, they represent an important contribution to the knowl- edge of the biodiversity of Puebla and even more when you consider the degree of fragmentation the forests of the State are now exposed too. It also suggests the importance of botanical explorations in this municipality and in other boundaries of the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Gulf of Mexico to the north-western portion of Puebla. �is will possibly help to increase the existing number of taxa for orchids, as well as other plant groups present within this area and should be considered a con- servation priority for its tropical montane cloud forest and tropical rain forest by the Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y el Uso de la Biodiversidad (Arriaga et al., 2009). O rchid diversity at C uetzalan del P rogreso, P uebla, M exico – anthropogenic threats and potential for organic production for conservation purposes 17 Acknowledgements �e senior author would like to thank Justo Alvarez and Flora Mora Galicia for funding the �eld work. Special thanks to Cristina García Juárez, owner of the Jardín Botánico Xoxoctic for the facilities provided for growing the orchids and Miguel Alvarez Soto for providing excellent assistance during the �eld work. References Arriaga, L., Espinoza, J.M., Aguilar, C., Martínez, E., Gómez, L., Loa, E. (2000). Regiones terrestres priori- tarias de México. Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y uso de la Biodiversidad. Conabio, Méx- ico. http://www.conabio.gob.mx/conocimiento/regionalizacion/doctos/Tmapa.html. [In Spanish] Barragán, S. (2013). Mercado negro hace negocio con las orquídeas. http://www.unionpuebla.mx/articu- lo/2013/10/04/empresas/puebla/mercado-negro-hace-negocio-con-las-orquideas. [In Spanish] Conabio. (2008). Red Mundial de información sobre biodiversidad (Remib). http://www.conabio.gob. mx/remib/doctos/remibnodosdb.html?. [In Spanish] Cetzal-Ix, W., Alvarez-Mora, R., Basu, S.K., Cosme-Pérez, J., Noguera-Savelli, E. (2014). Orchid fruit di- versity at Puebla México: a new insight into the biodiversity of a fragmented ecosystem with need for conservation and potential for horticultural exploitations in future. In: D. Nandwani (ed.), Sustain- able Horticultural Systems, Sustainable Development and Biodiversity 2. Switzerland: Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-06904-3_9 Espejo-Serna, A., López-Ferrari, A.R. (1998a). Las monocotiledóneas mexicanas, una sinopsis �orística. 1. Lista de Referencia. Parte VII. Orchidaceae I. México, D.F., México: Consejo Nacional de la Flora de México, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana y Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad. [In Spanish] Espejo-Serna, A., López-Ferrari, A.R. (1998b). Las monocotiledóneas mexicanas, una sinopsis �orística. 1. Lista de Referencia. Parte VIII. Orchidaceae II. México, D.F., México: Consejo Nacional de la Flora de México, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana y Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad. [In Spanish] Free Relief Layers for Google Maps. (2013). Shaded relief mashup of the world for google maps. http:// www.maps-for-free.com Hágsater, E., Soto-Arenas, M.A. (2003). Icones Orchidacearum Fascicle 5 & 6, Orchids of México Part 2 & 3. México, D.F., México: Herbario AMO. http://www.herbarioamo.org/index_archivos/Fasci- cles5&6.pdf Hágsater, E., Soto-Arenas, M.A. (2008). Icones Orchidacearum Fascicle 10, Orchids of México Part 4. Méx- ico, D.F., México: Herbario AMO. http://www.herbarioamo.org/index_archivos/Fascicle10.pdf Hegland, S.J., Nielsen, A., Lazaro, A., Bjerknes, A.L., Totland, Ø. (2009). How does climate warming a�ect plant-pollinator interactions? Ecology Letters, 12, 184–195. DOI: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01269.x Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática. (1985). Cuetzalan del Progreso, estado de Puebla: cuaderno estadístico municipal. Aguascalientes, México: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geo- grafía. [In Spanish] Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática. (1987). Síntesis geográ�ca, nomenclátor y anexo cartográ�co. Aguascalientes, México: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía. [In Spanish] Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática. (2009). Prontuario de información geográ�ca municipal de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos. Cuetzalan del Progreso, Puebla. Clave geoestadística 21043. http://www.inegi.org.mx/default.aspx. [In Spanish] Islas, L. (2014). Ma�a de las orquídeas “azota” Puebla. http://www.unionpuebla.mx/articulo/2014/03/24/ medio-ambiente/ma�a-de-las-orquideas-azota-puebla. [In Spanish] R aú l A lv ar ez -M or a, W ill ia m C et za l-I x, S ai ka t K um ar B as u, E lia na N og ue ra -S av el li N oe l A . G on zá le z- V al di vi a, J es ús F . M ar tín ez -P uc , P ei m an Z an di , K at ar zy na M oż dż eń 18 IUCN Red List. (2016). Guidelines for using the IUCN Red List categories and criteria: Version 10. Prepared by the Standards and Petitions Subcommittee in February 2016. http://intranet. iucn.org/web�les/doc/SSC/RedList/RedListGuidelines.pdf Morrone, J.J. (2001). Biogeografía de América Latina y el Caribe. M&T-Manuales & Tesis SEA, 3. Zaragoza, Spain: Gor�sa. http://www.bio-nica.info/biblioteca/Morrone2001Caribe.pdf. [In Spanish] Pérez-Bravo, R., Salazar, G.A., Mora-Guzmán, E. (2010). Orquídeas de Las Lomas-La Manzanil- la, Sierra Madre Oriental, Puebla, México. Boletín de la Sociedad Botánica de México, 87, 125–129. [In Spanish] Romero-Giordano, C. (2000). Orquídeas de la Sierra Norte de Puebla. In: M. Sarmiento-Fradera, C. Romero-Giordano (eds.), Orquídeas mexicanas. México, D.F.: Editorial Porrúa, 129–144. [In Spanish] Semarnat. (2010). Norma O�cial Mexicana NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, Protección ambiental – Especies nativas de México de �ora y fauna silvestres – Categorías de riesgo y especi�ca- ciones para su inclusión, exclusión o cambio. – Lista de especies en riesgo. Diario O�cial de la Federación, 2ª Sección, 30 de diciembre de 2010. Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recur- sos Naturales, México. http://www.profepa.gob.mx/innovaportal/�le/435/1/NOM_059_SE- MARNAT_2010.pdf. [In Spanish] Solano-Gómez, R. (1993). El género Stelis Sw. (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) en México. Orquídea (México City), 13, 1–112. [In Spanish] Soto-Arenas, M.A. (1988). Listado actualizado de las orquídeas de México. Orquídea (México City), 11, 233–277. [In Spanish] Soto-Arenas, M.A., Hágsater, E., Jiménez, R., Salazar, G.A., Solano, R., Flores, R., Contreras, I. (2007). Las Orquídeas de México: Catálogo Digital. Instituto Chinoín, A.C., México, D.F. http://www.herbarioamo.org/index_archivos/Page492.htm. [In Spanish] UN1ÓN. (2013). Puebla, quinto en decomiso de especies protegidas. http://www.unionpuebla. mx/articulo/2013/10/02/medio-ambiente/puebla-quinto-en-decomiso-de-especies-protegi- das. [In Spanish] O rchid diversity at C uetzalan del P rogreso, P uebla, M exico – anthropogenic threats and potential for organic production for conservation purposes 19 Appendix 1 List of Orchidaceae species of Cuetzalan del Progreso, Puebla State, Mexico. Growth form: E – epiphytic, T – terrestrial, L – litophytic. Vegetation type: TMCF – tropical montane cloud forests, TRF – tropical rain forest, POF – pine–oak forest. Photographer: RAM: Raúl Alvarez-Mora; Conservation sta- tus: according to Nom-059-SEMARNAT-2010: a – threatened, Pr – subject to special protection; IUCN Red List (2016): LC – least concern. New records for the state (*). Species plants illegally traded in “tiangui” of Cuetzalan del Pro- greso, Puebla (†) No. Species Characteristics 1. Acianthera angustifolia (Lindl.) Luer (E; TRF; 272 m; RAM 2 Photo) (*) 2. Anathallis abbreviata (Schltr.) Pridgeon & M.W. Chase (E; TMCF; 886 m; RAM 3 Photo) Pr (*) 3. A. sertularioides (Sw.) Pridgeon & M.W. Chase (E; TRF; 272 m; RAM 93 Photo) 4. Aspydogyne querceticola (Lindl.) Meneguzzo (T; TRF; 1600 m; J. Santana et al. 10 UAMIZ)(*) 5. Bletia purpurea (Lam.) DC. (T; TMCF; 1381 m; RAM 26 Photo) (†) 6. Brassia verrucosa Bateman ex Lindl. (E; TRF; 690 m; RAM 27 Photo) LC 7. Camaridium cucullatum (Lindl.) M.A. Blan- co (E; TRF; 557 m; RAM 28 Photo) (†) 8. C. densum (Lindl.) M.A. Blanco (E; TRF; 713 m; RAM 29 Photo) a (†) 9. C. meleagris (Lindl.) M.A. Blanco (E; TMCF; 1187 m; RAM 30 Photo) 10. Campylocentrum micranthum (Lindl.) Rolfe (E; TRF; 389 m; RAM 4 Photo) (*) 11. Catasetum integerrimum Hook. (E; TRF; 466 m; RAM 31 Photo) (†) 12. Chysis bractescens Lindl. (E; TRF; 256 m; RAM 1 Photo) a (*) (†) 13. C. laevis Lindl. (E; TMCF; 1377 m; RAM 32 Photo) (†) 14. Coelia macrosthachya Lindl. (L; POF; 1429 m; RAM 33 Photo) (†) 15. C. triptera (Sm.) G. Don ex Steud. (L; TMCF; 901 m; RAM 34 Photo) (†) 16. Corymborchis forcipigera (Rchb.f. & Warsz.) L.O. Williams (E; TRF; 379 m; RAM 5 Photo) (*) 17. Cyclopogon comosus (Rchb.f.) Burns-Bal. & E.W. Greenw. (T; POF; 1533 m; RAM 35 Photo) 18. C. luteo-albus (A. Rich. & Galeotti) Schltr. (T; POF; 1552 m; RAM 36 Photo) 19. Dichaea glauca (Sw.) Lindl. (E; TRF; 594 m; RAM 37 Photo) (†) 20. D. intermedia Ames & Corell (E; TMCF; 1029 m; RAM 38 Photo) 21. D. muricatoides Hamer & Garay (E; TRF; 688 m; RAM 39 Photo) (†) 22. D. trichocarpa (Sw.) Lindl. (E; TMCF; 1068 m; RAM 6 Photo) (*) (†) 23. Dinema polybulbon (Sw.) Lindl. (E; TRF; 929 m; RAM 40 Photo) 24. Elleanthus cynarocephalus (Rchb.f.) Rchb.f. (E, L; TMCF; 1079 m; RAM 41 Photo) 25. Encyclia candollei (Lindl.) Schltr. (E; TMCF; 1385 m; RAM 42 Photo) (†) R aú l A lv ar ez -M or a, W ill ia m C et za l-I x, S ai ka t K um ar B as u, E lia na N og ue ra -S av el li N oe l A . G on zá le z- V al di vi a, J es ús F . M ar tín ez -P uc , P ei m an Z an di , K at ar zy na M oż dż eń 20 26. E. gravida (Lindl.) Schltr. (E; TMCF; 948 m; RAM 7 Photo) (*) 27. Epidendrum atroscriptum Hágsater (L; TMCF; 1028 m; RAM 44 Photo) (†) 28. E. cardiophorum Schltr. (E; TRF; 549 m; RAM 43 Photo) 29. E. di�usum Sw. (E; TRF; 663 m; RAM 8 Photo) (*) (†) 30. E. eustirum Ames, F.T. Hubb. & C. Schweinf. (E; TRF; 1034 m; RAM 46 Photo) 31. E. longipetalum A. Rich. & Galeotti (E; TMCF; 1390 m; RAM 47 Photo) (†) 32. E. melistagum Hágster (E; TRF; 732 m; RAM 48 Photo) 33. E. polyanthum Lindl. (E; TMCF; 1073 m; RAM 49 Photo) (†) 34. E. ramosum Jacq. (E; TRF; 735 m; RAM 50 Photo) 35. E. tuxtlense Hágsater, García-Cruz & L. Sánchez (L; TMCF; 616 m; RAM 51 Photo) (†) 36. E. veroscriptum Hágsater (E; TRF; 1092 m; RAM 52 Photo) (†) 37. Erycina pusilla (L.) N.H. Williams & M.W. Chase (E; TRF; 377 m; RAM 9 Photo) (*) 38. Eulophia alta (L.) Fawc. & Rendl (T; TRF; 330 m; RAM 53 Photo) 39. Gongora galeata (Lindl.) Rchb. f. (E; TRF; 738 m; RAM 54 Photo) 40. G. truncata Lindl. (E; TMCF; 1065 m; RAM 10 Photo) (*) 41. Habenaria �oribunda Lindl. (T; TMCF; 1429 m; RAM 11 Photo) (*) 42. Heterotaxis maleolens (Schltr.) Ojeda & Car- nevali (E; TMCF; 1199 m; RAM 12 Photo) (*) 43. H. sessilis (Sw.) F. Barros (E; TMCF; 1199 m; RAM 56 Photo) 44. Isochilus latibracteatus A. Rich. & Galeotti (E; TRF; 726 m; RAM 57 Photo) (†) 45. I. major Schltdl. & Cham. (E; TMCF; 991 m; RAM 58 Photo) (†) 46. Jacquiniella equitantifolia (Ames) Dressler (E; TRF; 814 m; RAM 13 Photo) (*) 47. J. teretifolia (Sw.) Britton & P. Wilson (E; TMCF; 949 m; RAM 59 Photo) 48. Leochilus labiatus (Sw.) Kuntze (E; TRF; 417 m; RAM 14 Photo) (*) 49. Lophiaris lurida (Lindl.) Braem (E; TRF; 211 m; RAM 15 Photo) (*) 50. Lycaste aromatica (Graham) Lindl. (E; TRF; 846 m; RAM 60 Photo) (†) 51. L. deppei (Lodd.) Lindl. (E; TMCF; 1435 m; RAM 61 Photo) (†) 52. Malaxis excavata (Lindl.) Kuntze (T; POF; 1517 m; RAM 62 Photo) 53. Masdevallia �oribunda Lindl. (E; TRF; 592 m; RAM 63 Photo) 54. Maxillariella tenuifolia (Lindl.) M.A.Blanco & Carnevali (E; TRF; 731 m; RAM 64 Photo) 55. M. variabilis (Bateman ex Lindl.) M.A. Blan- co & Carnevali (E; TMCF; 1080 m; RAM 65 Photo) (†) 56. Mormodes maculata var. unicolor (Hook.) L.O. Williams (E; TMCF; 1205 m; RAM 66 Photo) a (†) 57. Nidema boothii (Lindl.) Schltr. (E; TRF; 864 m; RAM 67 Photo) (†) 58. Notylia barkeri Lindl. (E; TRF; 903 m; RAM 68, 16 Photo) 59. Oncidium incurvum Barker ex Lindl. (E; TMCF; 1222 m; RAM 69 Photo) a (†) 60. O. sphacelatum Lindl. (E; TRF; 489 m; RAM 70 Photo) (†) 61. Ornithocephalus in�exus Lindl. (E; TRF; 545 m; RAM 17 Photo) (*) 62. O. iridifolius Rchb.f. (E; TRF; 386 m; RAM 94 Photo) 63. Platystele stenostachya (Rchb.f.) Garay (E; TRF; 735 m; RAM 71 Photo) 64. Pleurothallis cardiothallis Rchb.f. (E; TRF; 763 m; RAM 72 Photo) O rchid diversity at C uetzalan del P rogreso, P uebla, M exico – anthropogenic threats and potential for organic production for conservation purposes 21 65. Polystachya lineata Rchb.f. (E; TRF; 365 m; RAM 18 Photo) (*) 66. Ponera juncifolia Lindl. (E; POF; 1434 m; RAM 73 Photo) 67. Prescottia stachyodes (Sw.) Lindl. (T; TMCF; 1069 m; RAM 19 Photo) (*) 68. Prosthechea cochleata (L.) W.E. Higgins (E, L; TRF; 963 m; RAM 74 Photo) (†) 69. P. ochracea (Lindl.) W.E. Higgins (E; TRF; 706 m; RAM 75 Photo) 70. P. pseudopygmaea (Finet) W.E. Higgins (E; TRF; 1050 m; RAM 76 Photo) 71. P. pygmaea (Hook.) W.E. Higgins (E; TMCF; 816 m; RAM 77 Photo) 72. P. radiata (Lindl.) W.E. Higgins (E; TRF; 777 m; RAM 78 Photo) (†) 73. P. rhynchophora (A. Rich. & Galeotti) W.E. Higgins (E; TRF; 611 m; RAM 79 Photo) 74. P. vitellina (Lindl.) W.E. Higgins (E; TMCF; 1340 m; RAM 80 Photo) Pr (†) 75. Sacoila lanceolata (Aubl.) Garay (T; TRF; 385 m; RAM 20 Photo) (*) 76. Scaphyglottis fasciculata Hook. (E; TRF; 886 m; RAM 21 Photo) (*) 77. S. lindeniana (A. Rich. & Galeotti) L.O. Wil- liams (E; TRF; 517 m; RAM 22 Photo) (*) 78. Sobralia macrantha Lindl. (E, L; TMCF; 1077 m; RAM 81 Photo) (†) 79. Specklinia alata (A. Rich. & Galeotti) Soto Arenas (E; TRF; 753 m; RAM 23 Photo) (*) 80. Stanhopea oculata (G. Lodd.) Lindl. (E; TMCF; 1419 m; RAM 82 Photo) a (†) 81. S. ruckeri Lindl. (E; TMCF; 997 m; RAM 83 Photo) (†) 82. S. tigrina Bateman ex Lindl. (E; TMCF; 909 m; RAM 84 Photo) a (†) 83. Stelis emarginata (Lindl.) Soto Arenas & R. Solano (E; TRF; 736 m; RAM 85 Photo) (†) 84. S. nagelii Solano (E; TRF; 882 m; A. Espejo 7173 UAM- IZ) 85. S. ornata (Rchb.f.) Pridgeon & M.W. Chase (E; TMCF; 1476 m; RAM 86 Photo) 86. S. pachyglossa (Lindl.) Pridgeon & M.W. Chase (E; TMCF; 961 m; RAM 87 Photo) 87. S. platystylis (Schltr.) Solano & Soto Arenas (E; TMCF; 961 m; RAM 88 Photo) 88. S. rubens Schltr. (E; TMCF; 1002 m; RAM 24 Photo) (*) 89. S. veracrucensis Solano (E; TRF; 667 m; RAM 89 Photo) (†) 90. Stenorrhynchos speciosum (Jacq.) Rich. ex Spreng. (E; POF; 1431 m; RAM 90 Photo) 91. Trichocentrum candidum Lindl. (E; TRF; 582 m; RAM 91 Photo) 92. Trichosalpinx ciliaris (Lindl.) Luer (E; TRF; 882 m; RAM 92 Photo) 93. Vanilla planifolia Andrews (H; TRF; 277 m; RAM 25 Photo) Pr (*) (†) R aú l A lv ar ez -M or a, W ill ia m C et za l-I x, S ai ka t K um ar B as u, E lia na N og ue ra -S av el li N oe l A . G on zá le z- V al di vi a, J es ús F . M ar tín ez -P uc , P ei m an Z an di , K at ar zy na M oż dż eń 22 Abstract �e orchid �ora of Puebla State represents 16% of the total species present in Mexico demonstrating rich bi- odiversity. However, several municipalities in the north-east of Puebla area are located within a conservation priority area for its tropical montane cloud forest and tropical rain forest due to decision of the Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y el Uso de la Biodiversidad of Mexico. We have recorded 93 species from Cuetzalan del Progreso with 25 new records of the �ora of the state. �ese new additions thereby currently increase the orchid �ora of Puebla to 197 species. Of these, six species are classi�ed as threatened, three as subject to special protection by the NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 and one classi�ed as least concern by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Moreover, we recorded 37 species illegally traded in “tianguis” (informal markets) of Cuetzalan del Progreso. �e orchid diversity in the fragmented forests can be harnessed in establishing a model for the sustainable management and to promote conservation action of species at some level of threat and in the restoration of areas with fragmented forests. Unfortunately, the orchid diversity has been seriously endangered by several anthropogenic factors. We have also recorded sig- ni�cant anthropogenic threats in this municipality for the long-term existence of the local orchid members and species with potential for commercial production. A viable approach will be to allow the introduction of in vitro germination program and organic production of orchids by local and fringe communities; this will reduce inhabitants’ dependence on the scarce forest resources, lessen illegal harvesting and tra�cking of wild orchids, and at the same time provide economic development for the local communities. Key words: anthropogenic factors, biodiversity, conservation, Cuetzalan del Progreso, Mexico, orchids Received: [2016.07.18] Accepted: [2016.10.26] Różnorodność storczyków w Cuetzalan del Progreso, Puebla, Meksyk – antropogeniczne zagrożenia i potencjał do produkcji ekologicznej w celach ochronnych Streszczenie Flora storczyków stanu Puebla charakteryzuje się dużą różnorodnością i stanowi 16% ogólnej liczby gatun- ków występujących w  Meksyku. Kilka gmin w  północno-wschodniej części Puebla, położonych w  obrę- bie górskiego tropikalnego lasu mglistego i lasów tropikalnych deszczowych, jest szczególnie chronionych przez Krajową Komisję ds. Wiedzy i Użytkowania Różnorodności Biologicznej Meksyku. W Cuetzalan del Progreso odnotowano 93 gatunki storczyków, wśród których 25 było nowych dla �ory tego stanu. Powięk- szyło to liczebność �ory storczykowej Puebla do 197 gatunków. Spośród nich, 6 gatunków zaliczono do zagrożonych, 3 do podlegających szczególnej ochronie przez NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 oraz 1 sklasy�- kowano jako gatunek najmniejszej troski wg Międzynarodowej Unii Ochrony Przyrody. Ponadto odnoto- wano 37 gatunków w nielegalnym handlu „tianguis” (na nieformalnym rynku) w Cuetzalan del Progreso. Różnorodność storczyków we fragmentarycznych lasach można wykorzystać w tworzeniu modelu zrów- noważonego zarządzania i  promocji działań ochronnych gatunków na tym samym poziomie zagrożenia oraz w odtwarzaniu tych obszarów. Niestety, różnorodność storczyków jest poważnie zagrożona przez kilka czynników antropogenicznych. W badanych gminach stwierdzono istotne zagrożenia antropogeniczne dla długoterminowej lokalnej egzystencji przedstawicieli storczykowatych oraz gatunków z  potencjałem dla produkcji komercyjnej. Stosownym rozwiązaniem będzie możliwość wprowadzenia programu in vitro do kiełkowania i produkcji ekologicznej storczyków przez lokalne społeczności, co przyczyni się do poprawy miejscowej gospodarki, zmniejszenia jej zależności od ograniczonych zasobów leśnych oraz nielegalnego pozyskiwania i handlu dzikimi storczykami. Słowa kluczowe: czynniki antropogeniczne, bioróżnorodność, ochrona, Cuetzalan del Progreso, Mek- syk, storczyki O rchid diversity at C uetzalan del P rogreso, P uebla, M exico – anthropogenic threats and potential for organic production for conservation purposes 23 Information on the authors Raúl Alvarez-Mora Interested in taxonomy and conservation of orchids of Puebla, México. Currently involved in designing botanical gardens with a focus on growing di�erent orchid species. William Cetzal-Ix Interested in systematics, taxonomy and conservation of Neotropical orchids and ferns. Also, in �oristic studies of indicator species (epiphytes) conservation of forests of south-eastern Mexico, as well as know- ledge and conservation of plants with potential uses (melliferous, medicinal and ornamental). Saikat Kumar Basu Traditionally trained in botany (plant sciences) and specializing in microbiology, works actively in va- rious areas of plant sciences and environmental conservation. �e author works extensively on forage crops with particular reference to annual forage legume and medicinal herb and spice, fenugreek. Cur- rently he is working in biomolecular sciences dealing with plant biotechnology and genetic engineering application in small grain cereals like wheat. Eliana Noguera-Savelli Interested mainly in systematics, taxonomy, �oristic and anatomy of neotropical vascular plants, deve- loping research to generate knowledge on biodiversity, exploration of timber and non-timber forest re- sources and training of human resources to support knowledge, the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Noel A. González-Valdivia Professor and researcher at the Instituto Tecnológico Nacional, SNI Level 1; an agronomist specializing in the rescue, assessment and management of native germplasms adapted to the tropics. Also interested in ethnobiology studies, ecology and sustainable development, which have recently resulted in innovative applications of traditional knowledge in obtaining human products such as biopesticides, medicinal and food products based on �torrecursos utility. Participated in the training of human resources; and in the development of initiatives and projects with positive impacts on the rural environment. Jesús F. Martínez-Puc Extensionist, researcher, and professor interested in the tropical apiculture. Currently developing projects on pest control bees, nutritional quality of nectar and mellifera �ora. Peiman Zandi Deeply trained in agronomy (crop science) and specializing in stress physiology, biotic/abiotic stresses and agroecology. He is also interested in working in di�erent areas of plant developmental biology, agro- ecology, plant nutrition, botany, plant breeding and genetics. Katarzyna Możdżeń Her scienti�c interests concentrate on the e�ects of di�erent environmental factors (light, ozone, heavy metals, allelopathic extracts) on the morphology and physiology of plants cultivated, protected and in- vasive species.