The Vascular Plants of Sinan-gun Jeollanam-do Korea - Aphae-do (Is.), Bigeum-do (Is.) and Docho-do Island -

Abstract

The flora of Aphaedo (Is.), Bigeumdo (Is.), Dochodo (Is.) of Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do was studied over 2 sessions, with the 1st session conducted between May and June of 2011 and the 2nd session conducted between August and September of 2011. A total of 706 taxa belonging to 128 families, 419 genus, 621 species, 2 subspecies, 71 varieties and 12 forms, were observed. Among those observed, 379 taxa of 89 families were observed in Aphaedo (Is.), 459 taxa of 107 families were observed in Bigeumdo (Is.), and 382 taxa of 101 families were observed in Dochodo (Is.). A total of 6 taxa of plants unique to Korea, including Clematis brachyura Maxim. and Hepatica insularis Nakai were observed. In terms of rare plants as designated by the Forest Service, there were 2 critically endangered species (CR), including Salomonia oblongifolia DC. and Sarcanthus scolopendrifolius Makino, 4 endangered species (EN), including Ophioglossum vulgatum L. and Drosera peltata var. nipponica (Masam.) Ohwi and 13 vulnerable species (VU), including Pyrrosia hastata (Thunb. ex Houtt.) Ching and Euryale ferox Salisb., for a total of 34 taxa. There is an urgent need to protect these taxa, because they are located in areas of high risk of approach by men. In terms of ecologically significant species as designated by the Ministry of Environment, a total of 12 class-V taxa, including Albizia kalkora (Roxb.) Prain and Utricularia vulgaris var. japonica (Makino) Tamura, were observed sporadically. 6 class-IV taxa, including Cladium chinense Nees, were observed, and with the inclusion of class-I, II and III taxa, a total of 124 taxa were confirmed. 75 taxa belonging to 20 families of naturalized plants, which marks 10% of all the taxa observed during the study, were found, and 55 taxa were found in Aphaedo (Is.). It is assessed that there is a need to manage and continuously monitor the expansion of naturalized plants. Among the study sites, the Songgongsan (Mt.) region of Aphaedo (Is.) included a number of wetland plants, including Scleria caricina (R.Br.) Benth. and S. rugosa R.Br., and they are at high risk of damage as a result of continuous interference in the region.