A checklist of vascular plants in limestone areas on the Korean Peninsula

Abstract

Limestone areas are sedimentary rock outcrops consisting of calcium carbonate created several hundreds of millions of years ago by calcium-secreting marine organisms and subsequently lifted above sea level by tectonic movement. Limestone areas support very high levels of endemic species of plants and are recognized as biodiversity areas with much biological information. The purpose of this study is to devise a strategy for the comprehensive conservation of the vegetation of limestone areas through analyses of the floristics and plant species compositions in ten limestone areas on the Korean Peninsula. The results of 153 field surveys from April of 2010 to October of 2016 identified 1,202 taxa in total, representing 1,096 species, 18 subspecies, 84 varieties, 2 forms, and 2 hybrids in 530 genera and 133 families. Among them, 55 taxa were endemic plants to Korea, and 38 taxa were red data plants. The floristic target plants amounted to 102 taxa, specifically 27 taxa of grade V and 75 taxa of grade IV. In all, 121 alien plants were recorded in the investigated area. Calciphilous plants amounted to 102 taxa, specifically 14 taxa of calciphilous indicator plants, 30 taxa of superlative most calciphilous plants, and 58 taxa of comparative more calciphilous plants. A cluster analysis showed a high degree of similarity between sites that are geographically adjacent with similar habitat environments. Limestone areas also supported groups distinct from those in non-limestone areas, demonstrating the specificity of limestone flora. Plant geography approaches therefore appear to be crucial to gain a better understanding of the level of biodiversity in limestone areas, not only at the interspecific but also at the intraspecific level. These results highlight the importance of protecting limestone habitats to preserve not only their interspecific but also the intraspecific diversity, which is highly threatened.

Morphological and molecular data support the separate species status of Syringa fauriei in Korea

“…First, the two taxa differed in their stigma shape. Kim and Kim (2011) also suggested that the stigma shape is a useful characteristic for the classification of two taxa. The stigma shape of S. fauriei appeared as a flat triangle from its side, but clavate at the posterior end (Fig.…”

Two new endemic species, Peucedanum miroense and P. tongkangense (Apiaceae), from Korea

“…The natural habitat of P. miroense on Swinŭm-san and Duta-san in Gangwon Province is one of the major limestone areas in Korea, with sedimentary rock outcrops consisting of calcium carbonate. Peucedanum miroense can be considered a calciphile and added to the limestone flora of Korea ( Kim et al 2021 ).…”

“…North Chungcheong Province is also a major limestone area in Gangwon Province. Thus, it is necessary to add P. tongkangense to the limestone flora list for Korea ( Kim et al 2021 ).…”

The genetic structure and demographic history ofZabelia tyaihyonii, endemic to Korean limestone karst forests, based on genome‐wide SNP markers

“…Zabelia tyaihyonii (Nakai) Hisauti & H. Hara is a temperate deciduous, broad-leaved shrub in the family Caprifoliaceae that is endemic to the dry karst forests on the Korean Peninsula (Jeong et al, 2007; Figure 1). This species is known to have adaptively evolved on calcareous soils (Kim et al, 2021). Z. tyaihyonii has potential value for landscaping and gardening because of its colorful flowers (pale pink), excellent fragrance, and strong cold tolerance (Kim et al, 2022;syn. Abelia mosanensis T.H.…”