• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.314-340
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• 2023

Vascular plants of Yeonhwasan Mt., located in Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do, were investigated. Field surveys were conducted fourteen times between April and September of 2022. A total of 505 taxa were found consisting of 87 families, 282 genera, 441 species, 15 subspecies, 41 varieties, and 8 forma. Among them, the endemic plants of Korea were 22 taxa. The number of threatened and near threatened Red List plants designated by the Korean National Arboretum was four, comprising each one of critically endangered (CN), endangered (EN), vulnerable (VU), and near threatened (NT) species. The number of floristic target plants designated by the Ministry of Environment was 102, including one taxon of level V, 9 taxa of level IV, and 34 taxa of level III. Invasive alien plants were 34 taxa, and three taxa were ecosystem disturbance plants. The urbanization index of investigated site was 12.8%, and the naturalization index was 6.7%. To wisely manage Yeonhwasan, measures for preserving biodiversity and preventing invasive plants are needed.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.83-116
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• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate the flora and vegetation of Yokjido Island in Tongyeong-si, Korea. Vascular plants collected six times (from March of 2015 to January of 2016) were identified as 547 taxa in total, including 113 families, 354 genera, 487 species, four subspecies, 50 varieties, four forms and two hybrids. The first records from this region contained 314 taxa. In the flora of this area, endemic Korean species numbered eight taxa, and the red list of vascular plants according to the IUCN valuation basis numbered six taxa. In addition, 86 taxa of floristic regional indicator plants specially designated by the Ministry of Environment are included. Among the species investigated in this survey, 99 taxa were identified as specific species bio-geographically as compared floras of other terrestrial regions; 97 taxa of plants in southern areas and two taxa of limited distribution plants on the Korean Peninsula. In all, 74 naturalized plants were recorded in the investigated area. Samples of the forest vegetation of Yokjido Island were mainly classified as Pinus thunbergii community and the Alus firma community. Vertical structures of the communities were stable, and a DBH-class analysis showed that the dominant tree species would be maintained. If disturbance factors such as thinning could be halted, the composition of woody species and herbaceous species would change.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.404-416
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• 2020

Studies on the preservation and propagation of tropical and subtropical plants are required, but the studies are insufficient in Korea. Since 2013, the Tropical Plant Resources Research Center has been collaborating on field research and publication to preserve plant diversity in Myanmar protected areas and Sagging areas in cooperation with Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Conservation and the Myanmar Forest Research Institute. This study is to provide information on cooperative projects. As a result of the joint research between the Korea National Arboretum and Myanmar, in December 2018, the Korea National Arboretum Tropical Plant Resources Research Center is on display for conservation and education purposes with the 65 Myanmar useful materials and specimens of 326 kinds of plants and specimens that Myanmar Forest Research Institute donated. This donation is the first case of Myanmar's export of plant organisms to a foreign country, and as for the Korea National Arboretum, it is the second official case of introducing a mass plant from foreign governments. The study will also accelerate preservation biodiversity and propagation methods of tropical and subtropical plants as well as research on biodiversity conservation and industrial use.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.205-249
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• 2021

This study was carried out to survey the flora of Hongdo Island in Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea. Specimens collected from previous Hongdo flora studies were reexamined using a relevant biodiversity database, and field surveys were carried out 22 times from April of 2003 to October of 2020. Based on the specimens collected during both previous studies and this study, the identified vascular plants of Hongdo consisted of 472 taxa comprising 102 families, 296 genera, 425 species, 6 subspecies, and 41 varieties. Among them, 111 taxa are newly recorded in this study, and 6 taxa are described in detail in terms of their morphological characteristics and habitat. Also, 29 taxa were reviewed or re-identified with corresponding taxonomic annotations. In Korea, Hongdo represents the northern distributional limit of the 4 taxa of Goodyera biflora, Damnacanthus major, Calanthe aristulifera, and Hemerocallis hongdoensis. Moreover, Hosta yingeri and Saussurea polylepis are endemic to Hongdo and nearby islands in Korea. Distribution maps of these species were prepared. Protected species designated by the Ministry of Environment were 7 taxa consisting of 2 taxa of level I, specifically Sedirea japonica and Neofinetia falcata, and 5 taxa of level II, which were Cymbidium macrorhizon, Woodwardia japonica, Dendrobium moniliforme, Calanthe aristulifera, and Bulbophyllum inconspicuum. Red list plants as designated by the National Institute of Biological Resources numbered 11 taxa. Naturalized plants numbered 40 taxa.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.70-89
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the flora of Jeonggwangsan Mt. (Yongin, Korea) from May of 2015 to September of 2016. Through 14 independent field investigations, we identified a total of 367 taxa of vascular plants, including 89 families, 234 genera, 323 species, six subspecies, 34 varieties, and four formae. Eight taxa were endemic to Korea, while 27 were naturalized in Korea. Nineteen taxa were the floristic regional indicator plants in Korea: four in Rank VI, four in Rank III, two in Rank II, and nine in Rank I. A total of 59 taxa were designated as controlled Korean biological resources, requiring special permission for export to outside countries. Two taxa were listed on the Red List of Korea, including one Near Threatened (NT) taxon (Hololeion maximowiczii Kitam.) and one Least Concern (LC) taxon (Iris minutoaurea Makino).

• 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 Plant Taxonomy
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.335-360
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• 2006

The distribution on 88 taxa of wild orchids in the Korean Peninsula was investigated by the examinations of specimens and the distribution maps were presented. The species numbers distributed at each eight floral regions in the Korean Peninsula are as the followings; Gapsan Province 27 taxa, Gwanbuk 21, Gwanseo 13, Middle 37, South 39, Southern-coast 33, Jeju 64 and Ulleung 19. Most species (72.7%) of Korean wild orchids are found in the Jeju Island. Eighteen taxa of them are restricted to the island in the Korean Peninsula. Among Korean species, 30 taxa grow at evergreen broad-leaved forests, and 16 are northern elements distributed at high mountains or northern part. In terms of distribution, the Korean wild orchid species are classified into IUCN Red List Categories by a modified criterion for Korean plants. No orchid species included EX or EW categories is found in the Korean Peninsula. Ten species are designated to be in CR category; Cymbidium kanran, C. lancifolium, C. ensifolium, Cypripedium japonicum, Cyrtosia septentrionalis, Dendrobium moniliforme, Habenaria chejuensis, H. radiata, Neofinetia falcata and Sedirea japonica, of which C. ensifolium and H. chejuensis are regarded as CR species for the first time. On the other hand, 22 taxa are classified into EN category, and the following nine taxa are newly proposed to be EN species; Gastrochilus japonicum, G. fuscopunctatus, Gastrodia verrucosa, Habenaria flagellifera, Herminium lanceum var. longicrure, Chamaegastrodia sikokiana, Lecanorchis kiusiana, Neottia hypocastanoptica and Tipularia japonica.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.355-378
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• 2019

We investigated the flora of vascular plants in Mt. Papyeong which is located in the northern part of Paju and the border of western DMZ through 13 surveys from April 2016 to August 2019. The vascular plants of Mt. Papyeong include 410 taxa; 361 species, 9 subspecies, 36 varieties, and 4 forms from 257 genera of 91 families. Among 410 taxa, we characterize endemic species, rare and endangered plants, floristic regional indicator plants, and climate change adapted plants in Korea. Specifically, there are 9 Korean endemic plants designated by Korea National Arboretum and 6 taxa by Korean Ministry of Environment. According to IUCN evaluation, there are 13 rare and endangered plants in Mt. Papyeong. On the other hand, 2 taxa were listed in a red list suggested by Korean Ministry of Environment. The floristic regional indicator plants include 46 taxa which are composed of 2 species of IV degree, 13 taxa of III degree, 11 taxa of II degree, and 20 taxa of I degree. Also, 27 naturalized plants were identified, and the percentage of Naturalized Index (NI) and Urbanization Index (UI) were 6.58%, and 8.43%, respectively. We hope that this investigation provide a valuable data for applying the further studies on the biodiversity and strategy of conservation of environment in the DMZ and Paju areas.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.199-226
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• 2020

Hwangmaesan Mt. (1,108 m) is rich in forest biodiversity and is a part of the Sobaek mountain range located in Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsang-do in Korea. Unfortunately, the biodiversity and ecosystem integrity of Hwangmaesan Mt. have recently been threatened by heavy human disturbances. We conducted thirteen field surveys between March and October of 2019 to investigate the vascular flora in Hwangmaesan Mt. Through this extensive survey, we found 628 taxa consisting of 106 families, 349 genera, 554 species, 16 subspecies, 48 varieties, and 10 forma. Based on a comparative analysis between the present findings and former flora reports, our results showed an increase by 28 percent in the number of taxa observed. Of the 628 taxa, dicotyledons made up the largest group (477 taxa, 76.0%) followed by monocotyledons (120 taxa, 19.1%). Endemic plants consisted of 16 taxa, with rare plants designated by the Korea Forest Service numbering 14 taxa. Ten taxa were listed on the Red list by the Ministry of the Environment. The floristic target species designated by the Ministry of the Environment numbered 75 taxa, whereas there were 42 taxa of invasive plants.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.291-307
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• 2016

Evaluation of the extinction risk of endangered plants at international, national as well as at regional levels is essential to the implementation of plans for direct conservation activities. Reports indicate that 34 endangered plants are distributed in the middle eastern area of Korea. For each endangered plant, we investigated the sites, area of extents, population size, and factors that affect population extinction. We assessed risk factors based on 10 evaluation criteria including the results from the investigation and the life traits each endangered plant has. As a result of evaluating the risk factors, these 34 endangered plants are classified into 3 groups: the first category comprises 12 endangered plants that require active and urgent conservation of habitats due to multiple risk factors; the second group has 16 endangered plants that should be able to persist with the removal of a few direct risk factors; the third category has 6 endangered plants that can persist with minimal management due to comparatively large distributed area and numerous individuals. It was found that most major risk factors in the population of endangered plants are caused by disruption of habitats and population extinction due to the increase of human habitation in the concerned areas, development and illegal harvesting. Futhermore, ecological collapse from decreasing habitats and malfunctioning mechanism of extinction and regeneration due to the changes of vegetational environment can be the other causes. From the area of the present investigations, we selected 5 regions according to the number of species and the frequency of appearance and importance of conservation measures. Also, we suggested a conservation strategy according to the regional characteristics. We suggest that the method for evaluating extinction risk of endangered plants includes distributional data and life traits of species. In addition, we underscore the necessity for understanding population dynamics and ecological niche of the each target species.