Plant diversity and useful plant species in Nam Dong Conservation Area, Thanh Hoa province, northern Vietnam

Abstract

The detailed floristic inventory of Nam Dong Conservation Area was undertaken during 2015-2021. For the survey, 11 plots were established and studied. Herbarium specimens for almost all observed plant species were collected in the studied area. They were used for identifications and documentation of plants cited in in this report. The study pays special attention to vascular plants notable for their high number of endemic and rare species in limestone karst ecosystems typical for Nam Dong Conservation Area. The results of our preliminary botanical survey, indicate that Nam Dong Conservation Area supports a rich and very diverse flora. The survey reports 1312 vascular plant species in 637 genera belonging to 180 families. May of recorded species are rare and narrowly endemic plants. Among them 2 taxa new for science, and 1 represents new record for the flora of Vietnam. Aside from the high plant diversity, the Nam Dong forests contain many economically important plants, widely used by local communities. Such species groups include numerous timber trees, medicinal, ornamental and edible plants.