• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.819-827
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• 2011

Climate change is recognised as the best serious environmental problem in recent time, and high alpine or high latitudinal organisms especially endangered by its change. Leontice microrhyncha is recorded one of the endangered species by the Ministry of Environment Korea. We surveyed ten L. microrhyncha populations distributed at Taebaek Mountains, high mountain area in Kangwon province. L. microrhyncha is distributed 940m~1350m high altitude which equivalent of Warmth Index $53^{\circ}C{\cdot}month$ to $75^{\circ}C{\cdot}month$, the range of conspicuous cool temperate forest zone. The plant species distributed at slope of $5^{\circ}{\sim}23^{\circ}$ on northeast slopes. The vegetation structure at tree layer of L. microrhyncha distribution area is dominated by Quercus mongolica, Betula costata, Cornus controversa, Acer mono in tree layer, and by Staphylea bumalda, Deutzia glabrata, Stephanandra incisa in shrub layer. The species diversity of herb layer of each L. microrhyncha population showed from 0.21 to 0.98, and the importance value of L. microrhyncha in each population was the highest at blooming time of L. microrhyncha. These results will provide the basic information for the development of conservation strategies for this endangered species.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.226-233
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• 2010

An intensive study of the embryology of Gymnospermium microrrhynchum was conducted to provide information regarding a discussion of the phylogenetic relationships of the genus, which is yet unstudied. Our results indicated that Gymnospermium is similar to other genera of Berberidaceae in terms of its embryological features. Nevertheless, newly reported and unique features are the well-developed endothelium and the undifferentiated seed coat type. Until the study of Gymnospermium, it may have been considered to be closer to Caulophyllum and Leontice in the tribe Leonticeae. These three genera share many morphological features as well as molecular similarities, by which they are kept in the same tribe, Leonticeae. However, very little detailed embryological data regarding these genera have been published thus far. Gymnospermium was characterized according to the basic type of anther wall formation as well as its glandular tapetum, successive cytokinesis in the microspore mother cell, two-celled mature pollen grains, anatropous and crassinucellate ovules with a nucellar cap, well-developed endothelium, its Polygonum type of embryo sac formation, its nuclear type of endosperm formation, and its undifferentiated seed coat type. In comparison with Nandina, there are many differences, such as the dehiscence of the anther, the cytokinesis in the microspore mother cells, the shape of the megaspore dyad, and the seed characteristics. Although we had no available detailed embryological information regarding Caulophyllum and Leontice, which are genera that are more closely related to Gymnospermium, we could deduce from the phylogenetic relationship that Gymnospermium, Caulophyllum, and Leontice are more closely related to each other than other genera of Berberidaceae on the basis of the seed characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 1998

The rare and endangered plants in Naesorak area were investigated for four months during May to August in 1997, and the results were summarized as 35 taxa which is classified as 19 families, 32 species, and 3 varieties. At the level of families, 19 families such as Pinaceae(1 species), Taxaceae(1 species), Cupressaceae(1 species and 1 variety), Liliaceae(5 species and 1 variety), Aristolochiaceae(2 species), Ranunculaceae(4 species), Berberidaceae(1 species), Saxifragaceae(2 species), Rosaceae(1 species), Oleaceae(2 species and 1 variety), Solanaceae(1 species), Scrophulariaceae(1 species), Valerianaceae(1 species), Campanulaceae(1species), and Compositae(1 species) were recorded. The most of the habitats of the species was easily found along the major mountain trails, and a kind of destructions of these plants by human interferences is due to the fact that the illegal collections for food and medicine are occurred. Those species of Taxus caespitosa, Rhododendron aureum, Vaccinium bracteatum, Allium victoralis var. platyphullum and Leontice microryncha has a few individuals in habitats and also shows the unfavorable growing state, so the intensive and continuous habitat management of the habitats were inevitably dimanded.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.84-93
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• 2010

This study was carried out to analyze the vegetation properties, soil characteristics and ordination of Leontice microrhyncha population in South Korea. The Leontice microrhyncha population was classified into Quercus mongolica dominant population, Morus bombycis dominant population, Fraxinus mandshurica population and Leontice microrhyncha typical dominant. The Leontice microrhyncha population was located at an elevation of 633m to 1,336m in Korea. In the study sites, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphate, exchangeable potassium, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium, cation exchange capacity and soil pH were 8.40~10.58%, 0.42~0.61%, 14.15~25.07mg/kg, 0.44~0.59cmol$^+$/kg, 2.35~6.33cmol$^+$/kg, 0.35~0.98cmol$^+$/kg, 26.04~33.48cmol$^+$/kg and 4.69~5.32 respectively. Morus bombycis dominant population was found in the low elevation and gentle sloped area that has high percentage of phosphoric acid and less percentage of total nitrogen, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium than other dominant population. Fraxinus mandshurica dominant population and Leontice microrhyncha typical population were found in the comparatively high elevation area that has low percentage of phosphoric acid and high percentage of total nitrogen, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium. Quercus mongolica dominant population was found in the medium elevation area that has medium percentage of total nitrogen, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.415-432
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• 1998

The flora of Nasorak in the Soraksan National Park were botanically surveyed. This area has very rich and diverse flora; 656 taxa with 94 families, 320 genera, 552 species, 1 subspecies, 96 varieties and 7 forms in the region of Oesorak. The population of Asarum maculatum of Aristolochiaceae was recorded for the first time in this region. In the view of phytogeograghy, the 18 taxa such as Pinus pumila of Pinaceae, Leontopodium coreanum of Compositae, Leontice micoryncha of Berberidaceae and Rhododendron aureum of Ericaceae, etc. were recorded as northern elements, while the taxa such as Asarum maculatum of Aristolochiaceae, Styrax japonica of Styracaceae and Carex siderosticta of Cyperaceae as southern elements.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.347-372
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to provide the basic data for management of the ecosystem of Baekdudaegan Mountains by surveying and analysing the vascular plants distributed from Hyangrobong area to Guryongryeong area. The numbers of vascular plants in the whole survey areas were summarized as 633 taxa including 95 families, 321 genera, 549 species, 4 subspecies, 70 varieties, and 10 forms. There were 285 taxa in Hyangrobong area, 256 taxa in Masanbong area, 318 taxa in Mt. Seoraksan area, 281 taxa in Mt. Jeombongsan area, 173 taxa in Bukamryeong and Ohsaekcheon valley area, 197 taxa in Soenadeuri area, 203 taxa in Yeongarigol area, and 168 taxa in Guryongryeong area. The endangered species were 2 taxa including Leontice microrrhyncha and Smilacina bicolor. The rare plants were 39 taxa including Pinus pumila, Halenia corniculata, Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii, and so forth. In IUCN Red List categories, there were 2 taxa of CR, 7 taxa of EN, 10 taxa of VU, 18 taxa of LC, and 2 taxa of DD. The Korean endemic plants were 23 taxa including Salix koriyanagi, Anemone koraiensis, Lespedeza maritima, Cirsium setidens, Saussurea seoulensis, Carex okamotoi, and so forth. The plants adaptable to climate change were 48 taxa including 17 taxa of endemic plants, 1 taxon of southern plant, and 30 taxa of northern plants. The naturalized plants were 32 taxa including Fallopia dumetorum, Cerastium glomeratum, Papaverrhoeas, Bidensfrondosa, Lolium perenne, and so forth. The invasive alien plants were 3 taxa including Rumex acetocella, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, and Ambrosia trifida.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.1
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• pp.7-19
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• 2012

After having announced legislation for threatened or endangered species on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants in 2005, the Korea Ministry of Environment proposed (in June 2011) amending the list, thereby delisting or reclassifying endangered species using new quantitative criteria for two levels (I and II), as well as status reviews. The new legislation included 40 species remained in their original endangered status, but 19 species were delisted, 5 species were proposed as candidates for delisting, 29 species were given a new endangered listing, and 3 species were proposed for an endangered listing in Korea. We assessed the threatened status of 98 plants using the IUCN Red List Criteria (version 3.1) at the global level, and compared the Ministry's revised criteria with the IUCN Red List Criteria and ESA criteria used in the USA. Most species proposed by the Ministry do not qualify as threatened and one of the major difficulties found in applying IUCN Red List Criteria at the global scale was a lack of knowledge on the status of species at broader geographic scales and the perceived difficulty this causes. Under the current classification process, many endangered species, such as Abeliophyllum distichum, Leontice microrhyncha, Echinosophora koreensis, Leontopodium coreanum, Iris odaesanensis, and Corylopsis coreana at global level were excluded here. Knowledge gaps and uncertainties mean that the number of taxa at high risk of extinction may be substantially greater than is currently understood. Due to a lack of information on its taxonomic status, currently there is controversy over the Red List status of Physocarpus insularis. Also, Caragana koreana, which was an invalidly published name, should be excluded here. Although the Korea Ministry of Environment insisted this procedure was conducted by applying the modified IUCN threat categories and definitions, this evaluation has been carried out based only on subjective views and misapplication of the IUCN Red List Criteria. The current listings by the Korea Ministry of Environment should be challenged. We suggest that broad species concepts on endemic species are applied and also criteria that adequately address the proper quantitative knowledge should be used. It is suggested that the highest priorities for the Red List should be given to endemic species at least in the Korean peninsula first at global scale.