Exploring the Forest Community Ecology of the Imperiled Orchid, Isotria medeoloides

Small-whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides (Pursh) Raf.) is diminutive terrestrial orchid and one of the rarest in North America, with a disjunct distribution from Maine and Georgia. This orchid is associated with mid-successional forests and it is believed that late successional forests are too shady to support this species. Experiments conducted in northern US states concur – canopy thinning results in short-term increases in orchid numbers. But it is still unclear whether canopy thinning will be effective as a long-term management approach, especially for southern populations. Furthermore, the characteristics of optimal SWP forest habitat have not been quantified, so there is no clear and measurable goal for forest habitat management. We conducted simple but detailed forest composition-structure surveys in the southern range limit of small whorled pogonia and found interesting relationships with orchid population size. I will share our preliminary findings in this presentation.