I'd say the larger cause of the problem is global human overpopulation. :-)
Many of us are not in the best position to take on the developers. However,
CP hobbyists are primary consumers of rare CP, and so we have a role in
the economic success or failure of poachers. Several people have commented
here that plants tend to be in higher demand proportional to their rarity.
I think the psychology of this is worth exploring. After many years of plant
growing I have become disgusted with the near hysteria over cool & rare
plants like Nepenthes rajah, Aztekium spp., exotic orchids, etc... and I
now reject the gross attraction of these plants. If that means I've been
turned away from the hobby, so be it. I don't want to be part of the swarm
lusting over N. rajah and N. villosa and frustrated over over the inability
to own one of these over-sought plants. I'd much rather be an individual
going my own way and exploring the wonders of aquatic Utricularia! Oh, and
has anyone noticed how fascinating common grass flowers can be when observed
under a microscope?
Michael Chamberland