• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.109 no.4
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• pp.371-381
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• 2020

The Ministry of Environment (ME) is planning to adopt in 2020 the IUCN regional Red List for "Guidelines for listing and delisting rare & endangered species and management of endangered Species System". The ME designated 377 species of vascular plants on the regional Red List. In a previous study it had been suggested that 103 species from this list are candidates for the regional Red List. With respect to a possible Red List, we assessed 59 species (after excluding 34 additional NA species and ten endemic species). These assessments indicated that 16 species are at the "threatened" level. Of those, one species is Critically Endangered, ten are Endangered, and five are Vulnerable. A further four species are classified as Near Threatened, 30 as Of Least Concern, and nine as Data Deficient. We found that most of the assessments proposed by the Ministry of Environment were not supported by scientific data, including quantitative geographic data (over 70%) in Criteria B. In order to determine the endangered species belonging to the orchid family, it is necessary to obtain records of illegal activities or data on overcollection. The current problem with the Ministry of Environment Red List has been the lack of management of scientific data on species showing a trend in decreasing population in the mid- to long-term; thus, there is a lack of critical resources for policy-makers. The ME legally designated categories and assessment, and the lack of expertise in failing to comply with the legal law by itself. The key to presenting an accurate overview of the state of Korean flora is to fill the information gaps with respect to significant geographical and taxonomical biases in the quality and quantity of data. By regularly updating the qualified data, we will be able to track the changes in the conservation status of the flora and inform the necessary conservation policies.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.301-306
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• 2012

Determination of the minimum population size is an important component for the ex situ conservation of an endangered species. Here, we present the identification of collection strategies that most efficiently captured the genetic diversity of Brasenia schreberi J.F. Gmelin (water-shield) in natural populations from the mainland (MGC) and Jeju Island (JNS) of South Korea, using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. A total of 313 and 383 polymorphic bands were detected in the MGC and JNS populations, respectively. All of the 140 sampled ramets were distinguishable by the presence of distinct AFLP phenotypes. According to the simulation of the individual sampling by maximization sampling, 25 and 28 individuals captured all of the genetic diversity in the MGC population (mainland of South Korea) and the JNS population (Jeju Island), respectively. The level of genetic diversity of the core collections was similar to the entire collection, indicating that the core collections very well represent the diversity of the entire collection. We therefore suggest a management unit of B. schreberi based on the genetic information for assessing the minimum population size for its ex situ conservation.

• 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 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 Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2016

Cymbidium kanran Makino is being threatened in its own habitats due illegal collecting and habitat changes by vegetation growth along historical landuse change. In this study, we established habitat restoration model for conservation of C. kanran based on ecological diagnosis. Through exploration to Jeju Island in 2014 and 2015, we identified 27 unknown habitats of C. kanran and in there, abiotic variables and vegetation structure and composition were quantified. Altitudinal distribution of C. kanran was between 200 m~700 m a.s.l. and compared to distribution in 2004, Area of Occupation (AOO) decreased at 82%. Specific habitat affinity was not observed by evenly found in mountain slope and valley and summergreen and evergreen broadleaved forests, but likely more abundant in valley habitats with higher soil and ambient moisture. Total of 96 individual of C. kanran was observed with an average density of $942.6individuals\;ha^{-1}$. The plants showed relatively short leaf length (average=$10.7cm{\pm}1.1cm$) and small number of pseudo bulbs ($1.2{\pm}0.2$). Flowering and fruiting individuals were not observed in field. C. kanran was classified into endangered plant species as CR (Critically Endangered) category by IUCN criteria. Phenotypic plasticity of C. kanran was likely support to sustain in more shaded habitat environment and recent habatat changes to closed canopy and low light availability may exhibit negatively effects to C. kanran's life history. Restoring C. kanran habitat should create open environment as grassland and low woody species density.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2011

Various aneuploidy and polyploidy have been reported in the genus Aconitum L. (ca. 300 species worldwide, Ranunculaceae), and there is a demonstrated association between major lineage diversification and polyploidy. This study reports chromosome counts of eight Aconitum from Korea, including the first counts for A. japonicum Thunb. subsp. napiforme ($H. L{\acute{e}}v.$ & Vaniot) Kadota (2n = 32) and A. longecassidatum Nakai (2n = 16). The study also includes chromosome numbers for two taxa on the Critically Endangered species list in Korea. Among Korean native species, chromosome numbers in Aconitum subgenus Aconitum range from 2n = 16 to 2n = 64 with diverse levels of polyploidy (2x, 4x, and 8x), whereas Aconitum subg. Lycoctonum exhibits only diploids (2n = 16). Greater chromosome number diversity in subg. Aconitum than subg. Lycoctonum might explain higher species diversity within the former subgenus (more than 250 species worldwide). Investigating chromosome number diversity of Aconitum in a phylogenetic framework will be a critical step to understand species richness of the genus.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.8-12
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• 2019

Although Myanmar is a biodiversity hotspot, little is known about its flora, particularly lycophytes and ferns, due to a lack of intensive inventories. In 2017, work on a total of 299 species of lycophytes and ferns found throughout the country, including 84 species from Natma Taung National Park in the Chin State, was published. However, a comparison of the flora of Myanmar with those of adjacent countries suggests that many more species are likely also to be distributed in this country. In the present study, two field surveys conducted in Natma Taung National Park during 2015 to make a checklist of lycophytes and ferns resulted in the discovery of three fern species not previously recorded in the flora of Myanmar. All occur in other countries in Southeast Asia as well as in other tropical areas. These species are Pteris bella (Pteridaceae), Dryopteris lepidopoda (Dryopteridaceae), and Loxogramme duclouxii (Polypodiaceae). The results will provide valuable information for the Myanmar fern checklist that is currently being prepared.

• 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.27 no.5
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• pp.501-517
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• 2014

This study was carried out to elucidate the distribution of vascular plants and their usefulness of Mt. Myeonsan (1,245 m) and Myobong (1,168 m) in Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do. The vascular plants that were collected 15 times from April 2012 to October 2013 consisted a total of 551 taxa; 96 families, 314 genera, 489 species, 3 subspecies, 54 varieties and 6 forms. The plants that are specially noteworthy are 17 taxa of Korean endemic plants, 2 taxa of Critical Endangered Species (CR), 3 taxa of Endangered Species (EN) and 12 taxa of Vulnerable Species (VU) in rare plants as categorized by the Korean Forest Service. Furthermore, V, IV, III degrees of floristic regional indicator plants as categorized by the Korean Ministry of Environment included 2 taxa, 22 taxa and 26 taxa, respectively. Among them, edible, pasture, medicinal, ornamental, timber, dye, fiber, industrial and unknown usefulness plants included 215 taxa, 184 taxa, 163 taxa, 59 taxa, 17 taxa, 6 taxa, 5 taxa, 5 taxa and 138 taxa, respectively. In addition, 25 taxa of naturalized plants were observed.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.96-107
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• 2015

This study presents a comprehensive account of the flora of hydrophytes and hygrophytes on Jeju Island. This approach aims to contribute to fundamental information about the conservation of plant diversity in wetlands. Field surveys were carried out from May of 2010 to September of 2014 in various types of wetlands on Jeju Island. A total of 189 taxa, including 52 families, 98 genera, 181 species, 6 varieties, 2 forma and 189 taxa, were found. Among them, 99 taxa (38 families, 60 genera, 96 species and 3 varieties) were hydrophytes and 90 taxa (23 families, 45 genera, 85 species, 3 varieties and 2 forma) were hygrophytes. In addition, Eleocharis${\times}$yezoensis H. Hara (Cyperaceae) was newly added to the flora of Korea. The protected wild plants designated by the Ministry of the Environment were 5 taxa, including Brasenia schreberi J. F. Gmel. and Dysophylla yatabeana Makino. The endangered species found included one Critically Endangered Species (i.e., Mankyua chejuense B.-Y. Sun, M. H. Kim & C. H. Kim), 5 Endangered Species (e.g., Lysimachia leucantha Miq.) and 7 Vulnerable Species (e.g., Tillaea aquatica L.). The floristic regional indicator plants found in this area were 44 taxa comprising 10 taxa of grade V, 7 taxa grade IV, 15 taxa of grade III, 5 taxa of grade II, and 7 taxa of grade I. The identified naturalized plants were 10 taxa; 8 families, 8 genera, 9 species and 1 variety. In the wetlands on Jeju Island, high plant species diversity was shown, and a number of rare plants and phytogeographically important plants were found. For these reasons, we consider that the wetlands on Jeju Island are very important areas from a botanical point of view. It is necessary to establish specific protection and maintenance policies in an effort to conserve these wetlands and species.