• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.79-101
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• 2023

Following recent taxonomic, distributional, and nomenclatural revisions, an updated checklist of endemic plants on the Korean Peninsula is needed. This study provides an updated checklist of vascular plants endemic to the Korean Peninsula and describes their distribution within administrative provinces. The revised checklist includes 373 endemic taxa (304 species, six subspecies, 49 varieties, and 14 nothospecies) from 179 genera and 64 families, representing 9.5% of the total native flora of the Korean Peninsula. Asteraceae (41 taxa), Ranunculaceae (29 taxa), Liliaceae s.l. (24 taxa), and Rosaceae (22 taxa) were the most widely represented families. Compared with the most recent checklist published in 2017, 39 taxa were excluded from the checklist; one taxon was excluded because it did not have a valid published name, seven taxa were excluded because their natural habitats extended to neighboring countries, four taxa were excluded because they were treated as a rank form, and 27 taxa were excluded because they had been identified as heterotypic synonyms of taxa distributed outside of the Korean Peninsula. Fifty-two new taxa were included based on the literature. This checklist will help to focus conservation efforts and provide a framework for research, protection, and policy implementation related to these endemic taxa.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.67-89
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• 2022

This study aimed to elucidate the distribution of vascular plants on the Deok mountain in Ganghwa-gun, Korea. The results of 10 field surveys from March to October of 2019 identified 532 taxa in total, representing 482 species, 9 subspecies, 39 varieties, 1 form, and 1 hybrid in 318 genera and 105 families. The plant formation of Deok mountain is the deciduous broad-leaved and conifer mixed forest, which is the common one in the middle region of the Korean Peninsula. Among them, 301 taxa were newly recorded in this study, 7 taxa were endemic plants to Korea, 3 taxa were red list plants. The floristic target plants amounted to 41 taxa, specifically 1 taxon of grade V, 2 taxa of grade IV, 7 taxa of grade III, 9 taxa of grade II, and 22 taxa of grade I. Alien plants were recorded a total of 73 taxa with a naturalized index of 13.7%, the urbanization index was calculated to be 11.8% and 4 taxa were ecosystem disturbance plants.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.264-288
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• 2017

In order to organize a new checklist for endemic vascular plants of the Korean Peninsula, 358 taxa of the Korea Forest Service and 375 taxa of the National Institute of Biological Resources were reviewed. In addition, the names of previously published endemic plants above the rank of variety were checked up to 2016. From the two lists, a total of 444 taxa were identified. Among them, 289 taxa were common on the two lists, but 69 and 86 taxa were listed only by the Korea Forest Service and by the National Institute of Biological Resources, respectively. Taxonomic documents including journal papers and dissertations were examined with regard to the 444 taxa. In some cases, opinions of Korean experts in this field were also reflected. From the results, 312 taxa in total were recognized as plants endemic to the Korean Peninsula, while 132 taxa could not be included on the endemic list. On the other hand, 48 taxa, none of which existed on the two lists, were newly listed. In conclusion, the new checklist of vascular plants endemic to Korea was confirmed, with a total of 360 taxa consisting of 64 families, 172 genera, 297 species, 4 subspecies, 51 varieties and 8 hybrids. The new common name Halla-seol-aeng-cho is given to Primula farinosa L. subsp. modesta (Bisset & S. Moore) Pax var. hannasanensis (T. Yamaz.) T. Yamaz. Sillaphyton Pimenov (Deok-u-gi-reum-na-mul-sok) is newly identified as a genus endemic to Korea. However, Pentactina Nakai could not be included on the list of Korean vascular endemic genera.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.453-474
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• 2020

Here, we present an updated checklist based on voucher specimens of vascular plants for Gasan Mt. which is located in Chilgok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. The list includes 322 taxa in 212 genera and 81 families of vascular plants, of which 14 are endemic, six are rare plants, 48 are floristic target species, and 14 are considered naturalized in Korea. Based on voucher specimens, Gasan Mt. was the southern limit of Cimicifuga heracleifolia var. bifida Nakai and Iris odaesanensis Y. N. Lee on the Korean peninsula. Moreover, we confirmed a hybrid plant deriving from two Iris parents, I. minutoaurea Makino and I. odaesanensis, in a mountain fortress of Gasan Mt. We also present online databases including 325 voucher specimens deposited at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM; http://oasis.kiom.re.kr/herblib). This study has great significance as the first floristic study of Korean plants sharing virtual specimens online.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

Background: Available publications (e.g., theses, scientific reports, books and papers) about the elements of the Egyptian biodiversity during 2000-2018 were collected in a progress scientific report. The publications reported in this bibliography were collected from various sources including: site of the Egyptian Universities Libraries Consortium Portal, accounts of the biodiversity specialists on Research gate, direct contact with the national experts of the Egyptian biodiversity, libraries of some universities and research centers and others. The elements of the Egyptian biodiversity are classified into different categories. Results: Up till now, a total of 20,521 species were recorded in Egypt, of which insects have the highest contribution (48.7%), followed by fungi (12.1%) and vascular plants (11.5%). In a descending order, each of amphibians, viruses, reptiles, mammals, cyanobacteria, bryophytes, and bacteria have a minor contribution (< 1%). Based on the available data, Egyptian biodiversity contributes 1.3% of the world biota, although its area contributes only 0.7% of the world area. At a global scale, the most represented groups are algae (12.22% of the world figure), followed by cyanobacteria (6.08%) and birds (4.70%). On the other hand, the less represented are amphibians (0.14% of the world figure), flora (0.84%) and insects (1.00%). Conclusions: Some suggestions are recommended for preparing a phytoplankton checklist based on the rich available publications; further studies should be carried out on the lichen biodiversity in order to prepare acceptable verified checklist for this important group. In addition, paleo-biologists should work together to publish a book dealing with the Egyptian paleo-biology, such studies will lead to high ranking the Egyptian biodiversity.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.171-202
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• 2024

If the plant genetic resources and information-sharing systems held by arboretums worldwide are effectively utilized, it is believed that a conservation system for plant diversity in the currently inaccessible North Korean region could be established. This study was conducted to review the scientific names of plants native to North Korea but not to South Korea and to assess the status of genetic resources held in domestic and international arboretums. To compile a list and status of North Korean plant's genetic resources, updated checklists of vascular plants in Korean Peninsula and online plant information databases were consulted to compile synonym, distribution range, and other related information. A total of 486 taxa (449 species, 13 subspecies, 21 varieties, 1 forma and 2 hybrids) from 236 genera and 64 families, representing 12.34% of the total native flora of the Korean Peninsular were presented in the North Korea plant list, and the presence of rare, endemic and northern lineage species was confirmed. It was found that 384 taxa from 190 genera, 53 families of North Korean plants are held as genetic resources in 333 arboretums and plant research institutions across 46 countries and 5 continents worldwide. This study is expected to contribute to the construction and application of a species list for plants native to the Korean Peninsula.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.250-293
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• 2021

Limestone areas are sedimentary rock outcrops consisting of calcium carbonate created several hundreds of millions of years ago by calcium-secreting marine organisms and subsequently lifted above sea level by tectonic movement. Limestone areas support very high levels of endemic species of plants and are recognized as biodiversity areas with much biological information. The purpose of this study is to devise a strategy for the comprehensive conservation of the vegetation of limestone areas through analyses of the floristics and plant species compositions in ten limestone areas on the Korean Peninsula. The results of 153 field surveys from April of 2010 to October of 2016 identified 1,202 taxa in total, representing 1,096 species, 18 subspecies, 84 varieties, 2 forms, and 2 hybrids in 530 genera and 133 families. Among them, 55 taxa were endemic plants to Korea, and 38 taxa were red data plants. The floristic target plants amounted to 102 taxa, specifically 27 taxa of grade V and 75 taxa of grade IV. In all, 121 alien plants were recorded in the investigated area. Calciphilous plants amounted to 102 taxa, specifically 14 taxa of calciphilous indicator plants, 30 taxa of superlative most calciphilous plants, and 58 taxa of comparative more calciphilous plants. A cluster analysis showed a high degree of similarity between sites that are geographically adjacent with similar habitat environments. Limestone areas also supported groups distinct from those in non-limestone areas, demonstrating the specificity of limestone flora. Plant geography approaches therefore appear to be crucial to gain a better understanding of the level of biodiversity in limestone areas, not only at the interspecific but also at the intraspecific level. These results highlight the importance of protecting limestone habitats to preserve not only their interspecific but also the intraspecific diversity, which is highly threatened.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.102 no.1
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• pp.38-58
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• 2013

The existence of endemism in many parts of the world is an important factor for conservationists. Conservation can only be carried out under national legislation, and national endemics, which have very limited ranges, fully depend on the effort and success of conservation. A total of 523 vascular plant taxa were listed in the latest national checklist by Ministry of Environment in 2005, while the 'Creation and Furtherance of Arboretums Act' including a national endemic list (appendix 4-1) was established by Korea Forest Service and was legislated as a law in late 2011. This legislation by Korea Forest Service on endemism of Korean vascular plants have required much attention because of discrepancies of nomenclature, taxonomic bias and inflation. Examining data for both lists proposed by Ministry of Environment and Korea Forest Service, of the total of 360 legislated taxa, around 286 taxa are shared with the list of Ministry of Environment, of which about 80% have been found as common taxa. Around 67(18.7%) are typographic errors, and 14 taxa (3.9%) are recorded as illegitimate and invalidly published names. Through this analysis 12 taxa (3.4%) were found in China as well as in Korea and these are thought to be non Korean endemic taxa. Taken together, the legislated list displayed 1/4 (24.9%) errors out of the total list. Only 59 taxa (16.5%) are identified as national endemic species. The remainder are either unresolved candidates (73 taxa, 20.4%) or synonyms (196 taxa, 54.7%) status. It must be noted, that the concept of endemism very much depends on the knowledge of the species concept, taxonomic bias and geographical range of a species. Also, the most major nomenclatural problem tend to be more stable if the information on database about Korea Plant Name, which is managed by Korea National Arboretum are well updated year to year. These exaggerated numbers underscore the urgency for regional conservation planning and implementing effective strategies to preserve these real endemic taxa into the future.