Population viability of the orchid Gymnadenia conopsea increases with population size but is not related to genetic diversity

Population size is a main indicator of conservation potential, thought to predict both current and long-term population viability. However, few studies have directly examined the links between the size and the genetic and demographic properties of populations, using metrics that integrate effects across the whole life cycle. In this study, we combined six years of demographic data with SNP-based estimates of genetic diversity from 18 Swedish populations of the orchid Gymnadenia conopsea. We assessed whether stochastic growth rate increases with population size and genetic diversity, and used stochastic LTRE analysis to evaluate how underlying vital rates contribute to among-population variation in growth rate. For each population, we also estimated the probability of quasi-extinction (shrinking below a threshold size) and of a severe (90%) decline in population size, within the next 30 years. Estimates of stochastic growth rate indicated that ten populations are declining, seven increas..., The dataset contains six years of demographic data (2017-2022) from each of 18 populations of Gymnadenia conopsea on the island of Öland in Sweden, and the code to run integral projection models in R., , # Population viability of the orchid Gymnadenia conopsea increases with population size but is not related to genetic diversity

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.j6q573nqn](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.j6q573nqn)

## Description of the data and file structure

Demographic data was collected during six years in 18 populations of the perennial orchid *Gymnadenia conopsea*. Populations are located in Öland, Sweden, and vary in census size from 11 to >30000 flowering individuals.

### Files and variables

#### File: Data\_long\_surv\_with\_2021\_no\_prev\_dormancy\_LA\_clean v4.xlsx

**Description:** Demographic data collected during six years in 18 populations of *Gymnadenia conopsea*. Each row in the dataset corresponds to one individual in one year. Empty cells in the dataset indicate missing values in a given year, such as leaf length and width, or number of flowers in vegetative individuals.

##### Variables:

| ID | Individual identity ...