Conservation Of Plant Diversity Research Articles

Advancing Knowledge of Wetland Vegetation for Plant Diversity Conservation: The Case of Small Lakes, Ponds, and Pools in Maremma (Southern Tuscany, Central Italy)

Wetlands are among the world’s valuable ecosystems for biodiversity conservation, but they are also among the most threatened habitats, heavily impacted by human pressures and threats. The Mediterranean basin features numerous small lakes, ponds, and pools, whose number and quality are decreasing at an alarming rate, and whose biodiversity is often little or not at all known. As a better knowledge of the biotic components of these minor water bodies is necessary, with this aim a phytosociological survey campaign was carried out in southern Tuscany (central Italy), an area where little information is available on the vegetation of aquatic and palustrine biotopes. Numerous previously unknown water bodies were located and surveyed in this work, while others already known were resurveyed. These investigations allowed us to identify 28 plant communities which can be classified into seven syntaxonomic classes. A new subassociation (Ranunculo ophioglossifolii-Callitrichetum stagnalis subass. ranunculetosum peltati) is described. The identification of the site-associated Natura2000 habitats led to the recognition of five habitats of conservation interest at the national and European level. The results of these investigations will improve the knowledge of the flora and vegetation of these small but valuable natural areas, providing a basis for their conservation.

SPATIO-TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF LAND USE TYPES FROM 1993 TO 2023 IN THE SOUDANO-SAHELIAN ZONE OF CAMEROON

This work raises the problem of the evolution of deforestation in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon. This land cover study was mainly based on diachronic analyzes of satellite images (Landsat). Diachronic analysis, used for a long time to understand the transformations of space, is an approach which carries out a comparative study, by superposition, or even juxtaposition of the different documents processed. Diachronic analysis in this study is developed over a three-decade period. Understanding vegetation dynamics in this study region requires careful analysis of how vegetation has evolved over the past three decades. It evolves according to management methods imposed by humans and climate variability. Satellite imaging (also called space imaging) refers to the taking of images from space, by sensors placed on satellites. The physiognomy of vegetation refers to the overall appearance of the vegetation, structure, and more particularly aerial system. This allows an overview on a very large scale, which depends on the species in an environment.In addition, topographic maps were acquired and digitized, as well as photographs. This study was undertaken with the aim of showing from satellite images the transformations undergone by plant formations in four Divisions of the Far North region of Cameroon and make a forecast of the vegetation of the study sites in thirty (30) years.From the analogical interpretation and mapping of land data, seven major land cover classes have been identified. These are: Steppe, Grassy Savannah/Fields, Shrubby Savannah, Wooded Savannah, Forest Gallery/Clear Forest, Surface Water and Buildings/Bare Soil and Sand Strip. The evolution of deforestation does not affect all vegetation, but there is an increase in other types of plant formations to the detriment of others. In addition, the vegetation of the study area is undergoing a regressive evolution due to the phenomenon of deforestation. Satellite images clearly show a number of negative changes in plant physiognomy. The 1993 image shows homogeneity of spots. Thirty (30) years later (2023), it indicates heterogeneous spots. Overall, the simulation of percentage changes in deforestation is very accentuated in the study area. The results of this study show that vegetation is in full decline in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon. This regression is due to deforestation and the deforestation is a function of ethnicities, cultures and traditions.Deforestation, which is mainly caused by human activities, has the major consequences of flooding and loss of biodiversity. These results could serve as a reference for the search for strategies for the exploitation of natural resources and sustainable conservation of plant diversity in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon.

In vitro Genebank of India for safe conservation of horticultural plant diversity: four decades of milestones.

India is a treasure trove of biological diversity with its plant genetic resources playing a crucial role in the crop improvement serving as the foundation for the country's sustainable food and nutritional security. India's in vitro genebank (IVG) is part of the National Genebank at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR). The IVG houses distinctive multi-crop repository that utilizes several tissue culture techniques for short- to medium-term storage in in vitro active genebank (IVAG) and cryoconservation approaches for long-term storage in in vitro base genebank (IVBG). In IVAG, germplasm is conserved under normal and slow growth conditions with a subculture period of 1-36months depending on the species/genotype and conservation approach. Currently, the IVAG holds 2,038 germplasm accessions (69 genera and 171 species) from six crop groups, viz. (a) tropical fruit crops (449), (b) temperate and minor tropical fruit crops (408), (c) tuber crops (530), (d) bulbous and ornamental crops (187), (e) medicinal and aromatic plants (232), and (f) spices and industrial crops (232). For long-term conservation, in vitro produced explants of various species are cryopreserved at the IVBG in liquid nitrogen. Utilizing various cryoconservation procedures, 347 accessions from several crop groups have been successfully conserved in the IVBG. Over the past four decades, in vitro conservation has been accomplished by the above mentioned cutting-edge techniques. This report highlights the efforts and achievements of the National Genebank in conserving horticultural genetic resources through in vitro and cryoconservation.

The photosynthetic traits of dominant species drive the multifunctionality of Liaodong oak (Quercus wutaishanica) communities in northern China

Ecosystem multifunctionality means that the ecosystem has the ability to provide multiple functions simultaneously. The study of the ecosystem multifunctionality provides an important basis for the understanding of the ecosystem function and management. Despite the plant community restoration is an important driver of changes in biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality, we still little know about the scaling effects the relationship between different dimensions of biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality. In this study, we investigated the relative contributions of different dimensions of plant diversity (e.g., species diversity, functional diversity and phylogenetic diversity) changes in ecosystem multifunctionality under different restoration stages (10, 30 and 40 years) in a human-damaged Liaodong oak (Quercus wutaishanica) plant communities in northern China. The results found that (1) ecosystem multifunctionality index was significantly higher in the middle (30 years) and late (40 years) stages of restoration than the early stage (10 years) of restoration. (2) Species richness and phylogenetic diversity were significantly higher in the early stage (10 years) of restoration than in the middle (30 years) and late (40 years) stages of restoration, however, functional dispersion was significantly higher in the later stages (40 years) of restoration than in the early (10 years) and middle stages (30 years) of restoration. (3) Ecosystem multifunctionality is primarily driven by photosynthetic traits of dominant species. The results of this study deepen the under-standing of the relationship between plant diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality in the forests of northern China by considering natural restoration after destruction, and contribute to the conservation of plant diversity and maintenance of ecosystem multifunctionality.

The Malvaceae Collection at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden: Ex Situ Conservation to Meet Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation

Ex situ conservation of plants is a current and urgent issue, especially in the Brazilian context. While Brazil has the world’s highest plant diversity, few consistent initiatives are aimed at conserving the potential of our living collections toward reaching Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC). Objective II of GSPC calls for the conservation of plant diversity, with Target 8 specifying 75% of threatened plant species in ex situ collections. It was only after cataloging the collection of Malvaceae from the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden (JBRJ) for scientific publication that we realized the potential of this collection for ex situ conservation. With this in mind, we carefully catalog the individuals present, updating the names of species and counting their individuals. We found that Malvaceae is represented by 63 species and 216 individuals in the arboretum, 45 species native to America, 11 from Africa, 10 from Asia, and 3 from Oceania. Using IUCN criteria, only two species are threatened and two are data-deficient, with one or two individuals each. Based on these data and the specific biology of this taxonomic group, we identified the main problems and listed recommendations to make this collection more representative of the endangered taxa of the Brazilian flora. Therefore, we expect this effort to be a solid contribution to Target 8 mandated by GSPC, as well as a replicable pilot project for other taxonomic groups of Brazilian flora.

Non-native plants invasions public parks, friends or foe?

Non-native plants (NNPs) are known as alien species, which are brought outside of their natural habitats due to human activity and have an impact on the biodiversity of native plants (NPs). Because parks serve as havens for NNPs, they may pose a threat to them. The present study documented the NNPs conserved in the parks distributed in Cairo and the new settlements surrounding it. Thirty field visits were conducted from spring 2022 to Spring 2023 in 19 parks distributed in the study area. In each park NNPs were recorded. Native range, natural habitats and national geographical distribution, ethnobotanical uses, threats, and human risks were determined for NNPs. The results indicated that 37 wild NNPs belonged to 18 families were recorded in the surveyed gardens. Six species belonged to Tropical America, and other six species belonged to Mediterranean region. All recorded species were distributed in the Nile region. Thirty-six species used as medicinal plants and 31 species for human food. All recorded NNPs were exposed to one or several types of threats in their natural habitats, while 10 species were found to have a toxic effect on humans. Our results showed that the Egyptian botanic and public gardens could play an important role in the future as a source of NNPs that could be used for their contributions to ecosystem functioning and services. Also provides evidence for the essential role of public gardens in the Egyptian Nile Region for plant diversity conservation, as helps conserve wild species from other geographical regions.

Plant Diversity Research in Shangqiu Yellow River Ancient Course National Forest Park, China

The Shangqiu Yellow River Ancient Course National Forest Park, the only national forest park in China created entirely from man-made forests, plays a critical role in ecological conservation. Our research employed plot surveys and quantitative ecological methods, including a diversity index analysis and importance value analysis, to investigate the diversity of arboreal, shrub, and herbaceous plants. This study revealed the composition and distribution of plant communities and analyzed invasive species. It identified dominant plant families, genera, and species and evaluated the types, distribution, and characteristics of invasive plants. We documented 70 families, 177 genera, and 254 species, highlighting that local environmental factors and human activities significantly affect the composition and distribution of plant communities. The presence of 29 invasive plant species poses a risk to the ecosystem. We constructed a phylogenetic tree of the plant community based on rbcL (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit) gene sequences, revealing the evolutionary relationships among species, and evaluated the community’s stability using the NTI (nearest taxon index) and NRI (net relatedness index). This research aims to provide a scientific foundation for conserving plant diversity and promoting sustainable development, and it can inform ecological protection and biodiversity studies in similar regions.

Enhancing Taxonomic Skills in West Africa and Supporting the Growth of GC Herbarium (Ghana)

Training the next generation of environmental scientists is critical to the future of life on Earth as acknowledged in 2021 by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG, Kew) in Our Manifesto for Change. RBG, Kew is also committed to strengthening capacity in the most biodiverse tropical countries by sharing expertise and collections, to enhance the global conservation effort. Developing training programmes to enhance taxonomic capacity in Africa and meeting the demand for early career in-country taxonomists was identified as the first step to accelerate the documentation and conservation of African plant diversity. Two years ago, RBG, Kew, in collaboration with the University of Ghana and the Ghana Herbarium (GC) and with support from the Schroder Charity Trust and Mallinckrodt Foundation, developed a tailored “Plant Taxonomy Skills for Ecology and Conservation” training course. This was planned to run in Africa, South America and Asia, alternating each year. The pilot was organised in Ghana, Africa in 2022. Participants for this 5-week course were selected from over 260 applicants. Delivered in a hybrid format, the course started with 3 weeks of online lectures, pre-recorded by 15 plant scientists and curators at RBG, Kew, as well as online interactive sessions. This was then followed by 2 weeks of in-person training in Ghana, including a 1-day field trip for practical collecting tips. The training covered herbarium curation techniques as well as concepts and skills needed for taxonomic revisions such as nomenclature, taxonomy, analysis of herbarium specimens, databasing, geo-referencing, preparation of morphological descriptions, diagnosis and identification keys as well as building distribution maps and red listing. The in-country teaching team included a curator-botanist, a plant taxonomist, a science education coordinator from RBG, Kew and two professors from University of Ghana. The course ended with a written assignment in the form of a taxonomic revision. A short survey was sent out to all course participants two years after the course to gather impacts of the training on their careers and uncover the most positive and negative aspects of the course. The course provided many positive outcomes: 15 plant taxonomists from eight African countries were trained, and jointly produced a taxonomic revision of 28 species of Ipomoea L. (Convolvulaceae) from Ghana (Williams et al. 2024). Additionally, The African Taxonomists Network was initiated by the course participants with a mission of ‘Fostering the next generation of taxonomists to bridge the generational gap and revitalize the relevance of taxonomy in Africa for the future.’ This network now has over 60 members, meets regularly online, and has a large presence on social media. Furthermore, the course also resulted in the awarding of the International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT) Biodiversity Challenge grant to the GC Herbarium in 2022. This grant enabled acquiring essential plant collecting equipment and herbarium materials, either by sourcing them in Ghana or from abroad. The GC herbarium, founded in 1952, contains ~85,000 collections of plant and algae specimens from Ghana and across West Africa with high historical, teaching and research value. This collection is vital to enhancing in-country taxonomic capacity. Therefore, the improvement and upgrade supported by the grant, as well as its recognition, are essential. Another rewarding impact of the course is strengthening of links between RBG, Kew and African institutions of higher education. These links have quickly developed into a larger partnership and were the first step towards a long-term collaboration. The ultimate objective of this collaboration has been to create the necessary conditions, both in infrastructure and human capacity to deliver the Flora of Ghana. This will be achieved by implementing a project to support the maintenance and growth of the GC herbarium in addition to taxonomic capacity building and teaching. The participants benefited from the course by engaging with mentors, networking and exchanging ideas, forming links with individuals with similar research interests and obtaining additional training and career progression opportunities. In the feedback survey, all participants reported that this course made them consider a career or future studies in plant taxonomy and 80% of the participants reported securing a new job or a student position in plant taxonomy two years after the course. In addition, all participants listed several positive impacts of the course on their career such as confidence in producing a taxonomic revision, gaining herbarium management skills and opportunities for new collaborations. This course has been subsequently successfully run in South America (Bolivia) and Asia (Indonesia), with expectations of similarly positive outcomes, and is already planned to return to Africa (Kenya) in 2025.

Spatial patterns and driving factors of plant diversity along the urban-rural gradient in the context of urbanization in Zhengzhou, China.

Plant diversity is the basis for human survival and development, directly affecting the function and stability of urban ecosystems. Its distribution pattern and causes have been a central issue in ecological and landscape gardening research. Rapid urbanization in Zhengzhou City has led to the fragmentation of urban green spaces and damage to ecosystems, seriously affecting urban biodiversity conservation. Understanding the distribution pattern of plant diversity in the region and its relationship with environmental factors is crucial for maintaining and enhancing urban plant diversity. Plant data from 178 sample plots in the built-up area of Zhengzhou City were collected and combined with environmental factors, and the characteristics of plant diversity, richness patterns, and their main environmental explanations in Zhengzhou City were explored. Results showed that there were 596 plant species belonging to 357 genera and 110 families in the study area. There were five dominant families and four dominant genera. Four distinct spatial patterns of plant diversity were identified along the urban-rural gradient. Urbanization factors such as GDP per capita, house prices, and imperviousness within 500 m from the patch significantly influenced plant diversity. There was an imbalance between the spatial pattern of plant diversity and application of urban landscape greening in Zhengzhou City. Future studies should focus on the application of native plants, curb plant homogenization, and reduce anthropogenic interference, which are conducive to protecting and enhancing urban plant diversity. These results can provide a basis for understanding the distribution pattern and influence mechanism of urbanization factors on plant diversity and serve as a reference for policymakers and planners of plant diversity conservation in Zhengzhou City.

Estimation of potential seed dispersal regions based on floating and ballochory of Euphorbia adenochlora capsules

Abstract The ability to disperse individuals and seeds among subpopulations is required for the sustainability of plant metapopulations. Understanding the mechanism of seed dispersal is essential for the conservation and restoration of plant diversity. In this study, Euphorbia adenochlora growing on floodplains was used as a research target to obtain new knowledge about hydrochory and ballochory and estimate potential dispersal range related to hydrological regimes. A wetland spreading around the Omi Maiko Inner Lake in Minami‐Komatsu, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, was the study site. Euphorbia adenochlora bear capsules, which have a three‐chambered hollow structure and which float on water up to 14 days, they can be dispersed by hydrochory. The capsule of E. adenochlora splits open when it dries, and ejects the seeds at a maximum distance of 4.1 m, indicating that the drifting capsule is capable for secondary dispersal by ballochory. At the study site, 2% of E. adenochlora subpopulations were within the range where fallen capsules could be dispersed by hydrochory, and 33% of E. adenochlora subpopulations could have been formed by ballochory from the drift line. Practical implications. These subpopulations are crucial for the conservation of E. adenochlora population at the study site. Furthermore, the fluctuating and maximum water levels from late May to mid‐June for E. adenochlora were considered important to the formation of new subpopulations.

Study of germination of collection samples of wild flora of Astana botanical garden

The present study is devoted to the main tasks of seed bank laboratories, among which the formation, study and conservation of seed collections of both natural and introduced flora of Central and Northern Kazakhstan are emphasized. This work emphasizes the importance of maintaining optimal conditions for seed collection in these regions, which is a key aspect for successful seed management, conservation and restoration of plant communities. Expedition trips, conducted annually between July and September, are synchronized with the growing seasons of the plants and take into account weather conditions that directly affect the efficiency of seed collection.During such visits, 56 forms of wild flora were collected, mainly on the territory of the Kokchetavskaya Upland, Central-Kazakhstan shallow meadow and Akmola region, including Shortanda district, as well as in the unique ecosystems of SNPP “Burabai” and the vicinity of Makinki village. The collected genetic material plays a key role in biodiversity conservation and can be used for further scientific research as well as for practical needs related to ecosystem restoration.As part of this work, a laboratory study was also conducted to investigate the viability of the selected seeds. The results of the study will help to further understand the characteristics and factors that determine the viability of seeds of different forms, which is crucial for their subsequent use in botanical collections. This study emphasizes the relevance of the selected topic, as well as the importance of conservation and management of seed resources in conditions of ecological vulnerability, which is of significant importance for sustainable environmental protection and conservation of plant diversity in Central and Northern Kazakhstan.

Contribution of homegardens in the conservation of local plant diversity in a Brazilian quilombo

Contribution of homegardens in the conservation of local plant diversity in a Brazilian quilombo

Plant phylogenetic diversity along the urban–rural gradient and its association with urbanization degree in Shanghai, China

ContextThe spatial distribution of plant diversity in urban areas is fundamental to understanding the relationship between urbanization and biodiversity. Previous research has primarily focused on taxonomic levels to assess species richness. In contrast, investigations into the spatial patterns of phylogenetic diversity in urban plants remain limited.ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the spatial patterns of plant phylogenetic diversity along an urban–rural gradient and quantify how phylogenetic diversity and the degree of urbanization are related.MethodsA survey of vascular plants was conducted at 134 randomly selected sample plots along four urban–rural transects in Shanghai, China. Three phylogenetic diversity metrics were calculated: Faith’s phylogenetic diversity (PD), net relatedness index (NRI), and net nearest taxon index (NTI), along with the urbanization degree index (UDI). Regression analysis was employed to quantify the spatial patterns of plant phylogenetic diversity across different taxa along the urban–rural gradients and their relationships with UDI.ResultsThe study observed seven distinct patterns of plant phylogenetic diversity along the urban–rural gradients in different taxa, which support the previous hypotheses that biological distribution patterns at the species level also hold true at the phylogenetic level. Faith’s phylogenetic diversity (PD) showed a linear increase with increasing UDI for total, woody, perennial, and cultivated plant assemblages. The UDI explained 3–36% of the variation in PD for these taxa. In contrast, PD for annual and spontaneous plants exhibited a linear decrease with increasing UDI, which explained 25% and 3% variation in PD for annual and spontaneous plants, respectively. The net relatedness index (NRI) for woody, perennial, and cultivated plants, as well as the net nearest taxon index (NTI) for perennial and cultivated plants, linearly increases with UDI, whereas the NRI for total, annual, and spontaneous plants, as well as NTI for total, woody, annual, and spontaneous plants linearly decrease with UDI. However, some of these trends were only marginally significant.ConclusionsThe spatial patterns of plant phylogenetic diversity varied along the urban-to-rural gradients, indicating that urban environmental filtering has an impact on plant phylogenetic diversity. Urbanization increased the phylogenetic richness of different plant taxa in Shanghai but resulted in more clustering and relatedness of species within plant assemblages. Phylogenetic richness exhibited a linear increase with UDI, while the phylogenetic divergence decreased with UDI. The UDI is a useful predictor for examining variations in plant phylogeny due to urbanization. Our findings provide insights into how urbanization impacts plant phylogenetic diversity, helping urban plant diversity conservation.

Contributions of Corporate Green Space In Conserving Plant Diversity and Its Potential Usefulness: Case Study Wikasatrian Pusat Kepemimpinan

Abstract Wikasatrian Pusat Kepemimpinan, under the PT Wijaya Karya Persero Tbk management, applies sustainability principles in managing its landscape. Wikasatrian Forest is a green-forested space in the Wikasatrian that is allowed to grow and develop naturally with no or lesser management. A study on plant diversity was conducted to strengthen its conservation value. The study aimed to identify the plant variety of the Wikasatrian Forest, assess the population, and its potential usefulness for people and nature in the landscape and other needs. Data were collected using the line transect method and quadrats analysis of 10 x 10 m squares for trees, 5 x 5 m squares for saplings, and 1 x 1 m squares for ground covers, with six plots of 10 x 100 m squares, in line with the forest track. Results showed that 26 tree species from 20 families were found. On all structure levels, the Shannon’s diversity index (H) was moderate (2.53 – 2.78), and the species evenness index (E) was high (0.7 – 0.82). These showed that this area has a good ecosystem balance with diverse plant species. Most species have multiple potential uses, which are used for medicinal purposes (14) and food sources (10). Some are for materials (9) and environmental improvement (6).

Impact of transforming karst mountainous forests into urban parks on plant diversity patterns.

The conversion of urban montane forest resources into urban parks requires careful assessment to understand its impacts on plant diversity over time. This study aims to enhance urban biodiversity conservation strategies by analyzing how habitat type and park age affect woody plant diversity. We surveyed woody plant species in 60 sample plots across two different habitats (remnant forest vs. artificial green space) within three mountain parks in Guiyang, China, established at different times. The alpha diversity of saplings/seedlings was significantly higher in remnant forests than in artificial green spaces. Artificial green spaces exhibited more homogenous woody plant composition compared with remnant forests. Newer parks showed greater variation in plant composition between the two habitats than older parks. Indicative species in remnant forests were predominantly native, whereas those in artificial green spaces were mainly ornamental species. The transformation of karst mountainous forests into urban parks leads to the homogenization of woody plant composition and impedes the regeneration of saplings/seedlings. Therefore, it is crucial to manage these conversions carefully and strive to preserve as many native species as possible to support urban plant diversity conservation.

Plant diversity conservation issues and challenges: A review

Significant conceptual changes have occurred over the past years in plant conservation, with major methodological advances incorporating modern techniques, technology, and disciplines. The global, national, and regional loss of biodiversity is a multifaceted issue affecting social, economic, organizational, political, scientific, and communicational scenarios. The identification of root causes is key to preventing biodiversity loss. India's diverse ecosystem supports various needs, including food, medicine, clothing, and shelter. Spatial biodiversity assessment is important for prioritizing and monitoring mechanisms and efforts in the context of land use, land cover change, unprecedented overexploitation, uncontrolled pollution, and alien species invasion. Odisha, an eastern Indian state, is rich in natural resources, with tropical moist, and dry deciduous forests covering remote areas of many districts, north-south-western hills, plateaus, and isolated pockets. Conservation efforts have expanded with protected areas, Red Lists, ex-situ facilities, wild plant accessions, and some developed species recovery programs. The conservation community is concerned about how to respond to the continuously depleting bioresources. Conservation prioritization focuses on protecting socioeconomically, medicinally, and environmentally significant species and living communities, regions of high species richness and endemism, and active functional ecosystems. The present review explores how to address sustainable biodiversity conservation practices and natural ecosystems aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals No. 13 and 15.

Pollen banking is a critical need for conserving plant diversity.

Pollen banking is a critical need for conserving plant diversity.

The Effects of Climate Change on the Distribution Pattern of Species Richness of Endemic Wetland Plants in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Wetland ecosystems in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), the region with the richest biodiversity and the most important ecological barrier function at high altitudes, are highly sensitive to global change, and wetland plants, which are important indicators of wetland ecosystem structure and function, are also threatened by wetland degradation. Therefore, a comprehensive study of changes in the geographical distribution pattern of plant diversity, as well as species loss and turnover of wetlands in the QTP in the context of global climate change is of great importance for the conservation and restoration of wetland ecosystems in the QTP. In this study, species turnover and loss of 395 endemic wetland plants of the QTP were predicted based on the SSP2-4.5 climate change scenarios. The results showed that there were interspecific differences in the effects of climate change on the potential distribution of species, and that most endemic wetland plants would experience range contraction. Under the climate change scenarios, the loss of suitable wetland plant habitat is expected to occur mainly in parts of the southern, north-central and north-western parts of the plateau, while the gain is mainly concentrated in parts of the western Sichuan Plateau, the Qilian Mountains, the Three Rivers Source Region and the northern Tibetan Plateau. Overlaying the analysis of priority protected areas with the established protected areas in the QTP has resulted in the following conservation gaps: the eastern Himalayan region, midstream of the Yarlung Zangbo River, the transition zone between the northern Tibetan Plateau and the Hengduan Mountains, Minshan-Qionglai mountain, Anyemaqen Mountains (southeast) to Bayankala (southeast) mountains, the southern foothills of the Qilian Mountains and the northern Tibetan Plateau region. In the future, the study of wetland plant diversity in the QTP and the optimisation of protected areas should focus on the conservation gaps. This study is of great importance for the study and conservation of wetland plant diversity in the QTP, and also provides a scientific basis for predicting the response of wetland plants to climate change in the QTP.

Evaluating sustainability of Thalictrum petaloideum L., a peripheral population in Korea

Conservation of rare plants, both at the national level and the regional level is important to maintain and conserve plant diversity. This study focused on Thalictrum petaloideum L., an endangered species, for which the Korean peninsula represents the rear edge of the global distribution. T. petaloideum is distributed in isolated populations across four regions. Yeongwol, in Gangwon, had the largest extent of distribution (27,663 m2), the highest number of sub-populations (204), and the highest total population size (87,681), followed by Danyang, in Chungbuk (3970 m2/28/10,285), Samcheok, in Gangwon (3390 m2/13/3871), and Yeosu, in Jeolanam (800 m2/10/816), in descending order. The most stable population structure was found in Yeongwol. Yeosu was found to have the most unstable population structure and the highest risk of extinction. To ensure the sustainability of the population in Yeosu, artificial management of climbing plants, such as Pueraria lobata, is recommended to maintain spaces suitable for regeneration. In Yeongwol, the population is likely to be sustained over a long period. The maintenance of traditional graveyards is necessary to ensure the population’s sustainability. Further studies should assess the genetic characteristics of each regional population for an in-depth characterization of plant distribution on the Korean peninsula.

A dataset of desert plant catalogue in Xinjiang

The dataset of desert flora catalogue in Xinjiang was constructed by consulting monographs such as Chinese Flora, Xinjiang Flora, Chinese Desert Flora, Xinjiang Flora, Xinjiang Tree Chronicles, as well as related documents and major online open databases, aiming to enhance the accuracy and completeness of the data and information included in the catalogue. This dataset comprises 31 families, 150 genera and 360 species of desert plants in Xinjiang, including 355 species of angiosperms and 5 species of gymnosperms. Among them, there are 80 species of plants with medicinal value, 61 species of plants with forage value, and 26 species with economic value, accounting for 22.2%, 16.9% and 7.2% of all plants in the dataset, respectively. This dataset contains the Chinese names, Latin names, aliases and other information of desert plants, which can provide scientific reference and basic data for scientific research on various aspects, such as the growth environment and plant value of desert plants. Moreover, it is of great significance for the conservation and development of desert plant diversity in Xinjiang.