Primary study on species diversity of plant in Guangxi Mulun National Nature Reserve

Abstract

Guangxi Mulun National Nature Reserve is located in the crisscross zone of Dian-Qian-Gui flora and south China flora, also is the heartland of the transition zone about Palaeoarctic flora and Palaeotropical flora. It plays an irreplaceable role in biodiversity conservation areas of China. In order to explore the plant species diversity in Guangxi Mulun National Nature Reserve, the composition and characteristics of vascular plant diversity was studied based on historical literatures, field investigations, specimens collection and identification, and data statistical analysis. The results were as follows: (1) This reserve had 1 735 species of vascular plants, including 218 species of lycophytes and ferns, 1 517 species of seed plants, with abundant vascular plant diversity and complex floristic composition. (2) This reserve had 486 species endemic to China, 56 species endemic to Guangxi, and 262 species endemic to karst areas, with significant plant endemism. (3) This reserve had 68 species of national key protected wild plants, 153 species of Guangxi key protected wild plants, 4 species of extremely small population wild plants in China, 108 threatened plants, and 144 plants listed in the appendix of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with relative high degree of rare and endangered plants. Based on the results, Guangxi Mulun National Nature Reserve is an important gene bank of karst plants. It has extremely important conservation value. This study also provides important basic data for construction and management of this Reserve, protection and sustainable utilization of plants, and other scientific research works.

Keywords

• mulun reserve
• species diversity
• karst flora
• rare germplasm resources
• guangxi