• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.90-109
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• 2016

This study aims to investigate the flora of Mt. Cheonma (Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea), including Korean endemic, rare and endangered plants. To support the biodiversity and usefulness of this investigation, we checked the red list plants, floristic regional indicator plants, climate change adaptation target plants and naturalized plants, and compared composition of plant species in Mt. Cheonma with nearby mountains. Totally, we performed 22 field investigations from April 2012 to October 2014. The number of vascular plants in this region is 433 taxa and comprised of 94 families, 266 genera, 378 species, 2 subspecies, 46 varieties, and 7 forms. Among them, there are 13 endemic plants designated by Korean Forest Service, whereas only 10 taxa are endemic species by Korean Ministry of Environment (KME). According to the IUCN criteria, there are 12 rare and endangered plants composed of 9 Least Concerned (LC), 2 Vulnerable species (VU), and one Endangered species (EN) found by Korea National Arboretum (KNA). Meanwhile, 8 taxa including 7 Least Concerned (LC) were found in Red List of KME. The floristic regional indicator plants designated by KME were 49 taxa. In addition, there are 14 taxa in The Adaptable to Climate Change Plant List designated by KNA, while only 19 taxa are naturalized plants. Generally, there are 190 common taxa in Gwangju Mountains area, and only 51 taxa are distributed in Mt. Cheonma.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.558-570
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• 2009

The vascular plants in Jeju composed of 21 families 62 genera, 190 species, 7 varieties with 197 taxa in Pteridophyta, 3 families 5 genera, 7 species, 3 forma with 10 taxa in gymnosperm (Coniferophyta) and 143 families 703 genera, 1,622 species, 114 varieties and 47 forma with 1,783 taxa in Endospermae. The total number of taxa was 1,990 consisting 167 families, 770 genera, 1,818 species, 121 varieties and 50 forma. Three families, 4 genera 4 species and 1 variety in Pteridophyta and 1 family, 1 genus I species, 1 forma of Coniferophyta were endemic to Jeju. Five families, 8 genera and 8 species in the Monocotyledonae of Endospermae and 23 families, 32 genera, 21 species, 16 varieties and 7 forma and 44 taxa in Cholipetalae, and 9 families, 24 genera, 12 species, 13 varieties and 7 forma, total 32 taxa in Sympetalae were endemic to Jeju. Total 90 taxa with 41 families, 69 genera, 46 species, 29 varieties and 15 forma were drawn up as endemic plants in Jeju. As the numbers show on, Jeju has more biodiversity especially plant diversity than any other places in Korea. It was an important region in regard to geographical position. The rarity on plants from Jeju has been assessed based on the IUCN red list categories and criteria at both regional and global levels. There was one species in each extinct (EX) and extinct in the Wild (EW). The EX and EW species were Rhododendron saisiuense Nakai (Ericaceae) and Asplenium antiquum Makino (Aspleniaceae), respectively. Three taxa, Rhododendron dauricum L. (Ericaceae), Lycopodium sieboldii Miq., and Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Serm (Lycopodiaceae) were species that is extinct in the region (RE). Sixty-one taxa were critically endangered (CR), 13 were endangered (EN), and 83 were vulnerable (VU) at regional level. The taxa listed on a Red List corresponds 26.9% of total taxa in Jeju. At global level, there were 19 taxa in CR, 4 in EN, and 1 in VU (Vulnerable) as the category of threat. The rest taxa (133 taxa) were classified as Least Concern (LC). According to the results of the assessment, conservation measures must be taken for total of 157 species that were categorized in threaten including one of EX, one of EW and three extinct in the region immediately. Of 157 species, 61 were CR, 13 are EN and 83 were VU.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.548-557
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• 2021

Cypripedium japonicum Thunb. is an endemic plant in East Asia, distributed only in Korea, China, and Japan. At the global level, the IUCN Red List evaluates it as "Endangered Species (EN)," and at the national level in Korea, it is evaluated as "Critically Endangered Species (CR)." In this study, we investigated the characteristics of the age structure and the sustainability of the population based on the data obtained by demographic monitoring conducted for seven years in the natural habitat. C. japonicum habitats were observed in 7 regions of Korea (Pochoen, Gapyeong, Hwacheon, Chuncheon, Yeongdong, Muju, Gwangyang), and 4,356 individuals in 15 subpopulations were identified. The population size and structure differed from region to region, and artificial management had a very important effect on the size and structural change of the population. Population viability analysis (PVA) based on changes in the number of individuals of C. japonicum showed a very diverse tendency by region. And the probability of population extinction in the next 100 years was 0.00% for Pocheon, 10.90% for Gwangyang, 24.05% for Chuncheon, and 79.50% for Hwacheon. Since the above monitored study sites were located within the conservation shelters, which restricted access by humans, unauthorized collection of C. japonicum, the biggest threat to the species, was not reflected in the individual viability. So, the risk of extinction in Korea is expected to be significantly higher than that estimated in this study. Therefore, it is necessary to reflect population information in several regions that may represent various threats to determine the extinction risk of the C. japonicum population objectively. In the future, we should expand the demographic monitoring of the C. japonicum population known in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.220-256
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• 2022

The most important thing for conserving plant diversity in an area is to make an overall inventory of the plant species inhabiting the area. In particular, limestone areas are known for their high plant diversity and distribution of specific plants. Despite that, only a few have been designated as protected areas. This study investigated the vascular plants distributed in Goyangsan Mtn. and Munraesan Mtn., located in limestone areas of the central part of the Korean Peninsula. A field survey was conducted eight times from April to October 2021. As a result, we identified a total of 654 taxa comprising 113 families, 357 genera, 592 species, 15 subspecies, 44 varieties, and 3 formulas. They included four endangered wild plant species: Astilboides tabularis, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Cypripedium macranthos, and Epilobium hirsutum. Endemic plants in Korea were identified as 32 taxa. Floristic target plants were identified as 168 taxa, specifically 5 taxa of grade V, 41 taxa of grade IV, and 36 taxa of grade III. The red data plants included 2 taxa as "Endangered (EN)", 7 taxa as "Vulnerable (VU)", and 7 taxa as "Near threatened (NT)". A total of 41 taxa of naturalized plants were identified, and 4 of them were invasive alien plants. The surveyed vicinity of Goyangsan Mtn. and Munraesan Mtn. showed high plant diversity and contained core habitats for distribution of an endangered wild plant, Astilboides tabularis,in the limestone area. Moreover, both mountains contained a small population of Cotoneaster integerrimus. These findings confirm that the area has conservation values. Therefore, we propose to identify areas with high plant diversity and designate them as special protected areas.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 2013

We investigated the flora of Mt. Namdeogyu, southern regions of Deogyusan National Park, from April of 2011 to September of 2012. The number of vascular plants in this area were summarized as 507 taxa, including 102 families, 296 genera, 444 species, 8 subspecies, 49 varieties, 6 forms. Among the recorded taxa, Korean endemic plants were 9 species and the floristic regional indicator plants were 80 taxa including 3 taxa in grade V, 3 taxa in grade IV, 19 taxa in grade III category. The rare and endangered plants which was designated by Korea Forest Service were 15 taxa comprising 1 endangered species (EN) of Rhododendron tschonoskii, 5 taxa of vulnerable (VU) such as Cynanchum inamoenum, Lilium cernuum, Gastrodia elata, Bupleurum euphorbioides, Paeonia japonica, and 9 least concerned (LC). In addition, the subalpine plants of the region were summarized as 24 taxa, and Mt. Deogyu area inclunding the Mt. Namdeogyu was suggested as the north most limits line of the distribution for 2 taxa, Abies koreana and Rhododendron tschonoskii, and as the south most limit of the distribution for Bupleurum euphorbioides.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.121-153
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• 2013

We investigated the flora of Mudeung-san (Mt.) located in Gwangju-gwangyeoksi, Hwasun-gun and Damyang-gun and discussed the vascular plants found there. 22 days separate fild trips were completed from March of 2009 to November 2011. As a result, we identified the distribution of 816 taxa in Mudeung-san (Mt.), comprising 123 families, 441 genera, 668 species, 5 subspecies, 121 varieties and 18 forms. There are a total 111 taxa of floristic regional indicator plants. The floristic regional indicator plants are as follows; nine taxa of level V such as Gastrodia elata Blume, six taxa of level IV such as Hylomecon hylomeconoides T. Lee, 21 taxa of level III such as Stewartia korena Nakai, 18 taxa of level II, and 66 taxa of level I. In addition, two critically endangered species (CR), Galeola septentrionalis Rchb.f. and Paeonia obovata Maxim., two endangered species (EN), Dryopteris cycadina (Franch. & Sav.) C.Chr. and Jeffersonia dubia Benth., and eight vulnerable species (VU), such as Lilium callosum Siebold & Zucc, were found in the investigated area. Also, 14 endermic plants of Korea, such as Salix koriyanagi Kimura and Aconitium chiisanense Nakai, were found.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.128-138
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• 2013

The conservation status of an endemic perennial herb, Hanabusaya asiatica (Nakai) Nakai (Campanulaceae) was determined by applying the IUCN risk assessment criteria from our field study and available specimen data. Also, the GIS technology was used to develop a species distribution map to calculate the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) for the taxon. After two years of continuous field studies, 269 mature individuals were found in four localities in 2011, while 216 mature individuals were confirmed in three localities in 2012. Based on the following data, such as EOO (2,742 $km^2$), AOO (76 $km^2$) and estimated population size of mature individuals, the taxon, which is known as 20 localities in Korean peninsula, is evaluated as the category of Endangered (EN). A major difficulty in application of IUCN criteria to Korean rare plants were the lack of essential biological information and understanding the correct knowledge of the IUCN criteria in previous Korean studies. Sound conclusions regarding the conservation status of individual species require more intensive population studies, observations, and applying IUCN assessment procedures correctly.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.429-439
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• 2011

We investigated the flora of Imja-do(Isl.), an island of the Shinan archipelago, located in Imja-myeon, Shinan-gun, Jollanamo-do and discussed the vascular plants found there. Twenty-four separate field trips (100days) were completed from August of 1997 to October of 2009. As a result, we identified the distribution of 526 taxa in Imja-do(Isl.), comprising 112 families, 331 genera, 463 species, 1 subspecies, 60 varieties, and 2 forms. There are a total of 78 taxa of floristic regional indicator plants and one taxon of level II endangered species, Millettia japonica, as designated by the Korean Ministry of the Environment. The floristic regional indicator plants are as follows; four taxa of level V such as Utricularia bifida, two taxa of level IV such as Cladium chinense, 14 taxa of level III such as Aletris spicata, three taxa of level II, and 55 taxa of level I. In addition, one endangered species (EN), Nymphoides coreana, five vulnerable species (VU),such as Ilex cornuta, and three near-threatened species (NT) such as Utricula riaracemosa, were found in the investigated area. The plants of Imja-do(Isl.) are classified into four types based on the plant geographical origin, as follows: 1) boreal plants advancing southward in a glacial period, 2) temperate plants spreading eastward from the Himalayas and China to Japan passing through the south coast of Korea, 3) subtropical plants, and 4) indigenously developed endemic species of the warm-temperate region of East Asia.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.410-426
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• 2017

To identify the flora of the vascular plants in the Anmyeon Island, field surveys were conducted from June, 2015 to August, 2016. Based on the collected specimens, the vascular plants of the Anmyeon Island were summarized as 717 taxa: 119 families, 400 genera, 632 species, 5 subspecies, 73 varieties and 7 formas. Among the 717 identified taxa, 17 rare plants designated by the Koren Forest Service according to the IUCN valuation species were described: 3 taxa of critically endangered species (CR), 1 taxa of endangered species (EN), 6 taxa of least concerned species (LC), 7 taxa of vulnerable species (VU). 99 taxa of floristic regional indicator plants specially designated by Ministry of Environment also were identified. In addition, 6 Korean endemic species such as Forsythia koreana Nakai and Hemerocallis taeanensis S.S.Kang & M.G.Chung, and 91 naturalized plants such as Rumex acetocella L., Amaranthus lividus L. and Diodia teres Walter etc. were described.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.470-477
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• 2021

Amsonia ellipotica (Thumb.) Roem. & Schult. has less than 10 native places nationwide and is evaluated as an endangered species (EN) on the Korean Red List, so systematic breeding and cultivation methods are required. This study was carried out to establish an effective method for seedling production in A. elliopotica that can be developed as a genetic resource conservation and new ornamental material. This experiment was performed by varying the seedling production container (72, 105 and 128 cell trays), number of seeds sown in a cell (1, 2, and 4 per cell), soil type [horticultural soil and neutralized peat-moss: perlite mixed in 3:1, 4:1 (v:v)], additional fertilizer concentrations (0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/L) and shading degrees (0, 55 and 75%). As a result of the study, growth increased with the increased in measuring capacity per cell of sowing container. According to number of seeding growth, sowing one seed per cell was the best. Seedling growth increased as the treatment concentrations increased, higher growth was in 1000 mg/L. On the other hand, during the shading treatment, growth significantly decreased regardless of shading degrees.