Um panorama das orquídeas exóticas invasoras no Brasil

Abstract

Exotic species are becoming invasive in natural habitats. This has been a recurring theme due to it is interaction with native species, changing different traits of the biodiversity. Orchids occupy awfully specific niches, facing threats as to the interference of man in their habitat, however some of them have great invasive potential. From databases, we list 125 potentially invasive species in the world. Of this total, only 16 species had valid records in Brazil, however Vanilla planifolia, V. pampona, Cytropodium polyphyllum, C. flavum, C. paranaense and Polystachya concreta are native, and were not consider, leaving only 10 exotic and invasive species in the country. The higher number of records was found for Oeceoclades maculata, an African orchid with highest success as invasive in the world. It most expressive distribution was in the most anthropized regions of the country (Northeast and Southeast), proving their preference for disturbed environments. The evolutionary patterns of species have conditioned their establishment in certain locations, and the interference in ecosystems has caused several changes in their distribution patterns, such characteristics may not be beneficial in the long run, and even more studies and measures are needed to try to measure these impacts.