Reptile and Orchid Conservation at the CSS Wilhelma: From Assessments to Global Impact

In response to the global biodiversity crisis, the CSS Wilhelma was formed in 2025 through a strategic partnership between the Wilhelma Zoological and Botanical Garden in Stuttgart and the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC). As one of the few specialized conservation centers in the world, the center aims to combine regional scientific expertise with global conservation frameworks for two taxonomic groups: reptiles and orchids. Strictly adhering to the IUCN's core 'Assess, Plan, Act' philosophy, this presentation introduces the center and the conservation gaps of these taxonomic groups, outlines the four-year work plan and explains how CSS Wilhelma promotes targeted field actions, resource allocation and habitat safeguarding.

About the speakers:

Dr. Tobias Machts has been holding the position as IUCN CSS Officer for Reptiles since April 2026. He studied biology at the University of Bonn and Tübingen, and has extensive experience in the implementation of nature conservation measures and in situ conservation projects.

Dr. Jacopo Calevo is the Orchid Officer at the CSS Wilhelma. He studied biology at the University of Genoa, Italy, and obtained a PhD at the University of Turin, Italy, in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK) on orchid conservation and ecology.

With the event series “Talking about Taxonomy,” the Centre for Biodiversity and Integrative Taxonomy (KomBioTa) coordinates talks from both theory and practice that address current topics in species identification and taxonomic knowledge.