Eastern coastal lagoons are a particular type of estuarine systems where seawater mixes with fresh water from their catchments. With the development of aquatic vegetation, this area shows high level of biodiversity. The purpose of this study is to produce a strategy for the comprehensive conservation of the vegetation of coastal lagoons through studies of the floristics and plant species compositions in 17 eastern coastal lagoons in Korea. Vascular plants were collected 109 times, from June of 2010 to November of 2014. The results showed that there were 720 taxa in total, including 118 families, 378 genera, 655 species, 13 subspecies, 46 varieties, and 6 hybrids. Korean endemic species numbered 11 taxa, and vascular plants listed in the red list according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) numbered 18 taxa. Indicator species of fourth (IV) and fifth (V) degree, as specified by floristic subregions, numbered 23 taxa. Among the species investigated in this survey, there were 4 taxa of plants of southern origin and 8 taxa of plants of northern originin the Korean peninsula. Several rare plants, Thermopsis lupinoides, Ligusticum hultenii, Mitrasacme alsinoides, Utricularia australis, Juncus fauriei, Carex vesicaria, and Puccinellia kurilensis, were distributed in eastern coastal lagoons. In all, 96 alien plants were recorded in the investigated area. The coastal lagoons on the eastern coast of Korea showed high plant diversity with many rare plants and phytogeographically important plants. Conservation strategies to ensure biodiversity and effective management of coastal lagoons are discussed in detail.Keywords: lagoon, flora, rare plant, phytogeography

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