Distribution and conservation status of Camellia longzhouensis (Theaceae), a critically endangered plant species endemic to southern China

Zhanhui Xu; Hai Ren; Xiao Wei; Kangting Ouyang; Dongxing Li; Yili Guo; Shujun Wen; Jifeng Long; Jun Wang; Dafeng Hui

Global Ecology and Conservation (Jun 2021)

Distribution and conservation status of Camellia longzhouensis (Theaceae), a critically endangered plant species endemic to southern China

Zhanhui Xu,
Hai Ren,
Xiao Wei,
Kangting Ouyang,
Dongxing Li,
Yili Guo,
Shujun Wen,
Jifeng Long,
Jun Wang,
Dafeng Hui

Affiliations

Zhanhui Xu: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Hai Ren: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Corresponding author at: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China.
Xiao Wei: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Funetional Phytochemicals Research and Utilization, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Restoration Ecology in Karst Terrain, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China
Kangting Ouyang: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Dongxing Li: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Funetional Phytochemicals Research and Utilization, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Restoration Ecology in Karst Terrain, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China
Yili Guo: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Funetional Phytochemicals Research and Utilization, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Restoration Ecology in Karst Terrain, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China
Shujun Wen: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Funetional Phytochemicals Research and Utilization, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Restoration Ecology in Karst Terrain, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China
Jifeng Long: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Restoration Ecology in Karst Terrain, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China; Nonggang National Nature Reserve Administration of Guangxi, Longzhou, Guangxi 532400, China
Jun Wang: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
Dafeng Hui: Department of Biological Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 27
p. e01585

Abstract

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Camellia longzhouensis (Theaceae) is an endemic evergreen shrub or small tree with a distribution restricted to South China. It is listed as Grade-II in the National Key Protected Wild Plants List. In this study, we surveyed its distribution, examined its population structure, identified factors affecting its survival, and reassessed its extinction risk. We found that C. longzhouensis was only distributed in the Nonggang National Nature Reserve and the surrounding area. Its individuals only grew under the secondary forest canopy in the karst mountain. A total of 58 individuals of C. longzhouensis in three sub-populations were found. Soil fertility and understory light availability were the main habitat factors influencing the survival of C. longzhouensis. Anthropogenic disturbances and reproductive obstacles have caused a low seed-setting rate, poor seedling survival, and a lack of adult plants of C. longzhouensis in the natural habitat. The population structure of C. longzhouensis is spindle-shaped, indicating poor natural regeneration and inhibited seedling recruitment. Cleistanthus petelotii had a significant positive interspecific interaction with C. longzhouensis in the community. Based on the information obtained here and IUCN criterion C2ai, we recommend that C. longzhouensis be categorized in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as Critically Endangered. We also developed a comprehensive protection strategy, consisting of in situ conservation, ex situ conservation, reintroduction, and commercial utilization. This strategy can be readily applied to protect other endangered plants with economic value in karst poor regions.

Published in Global Ecology and Conservation

ISSN: 2351-9894 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General): Ecology
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/global-ecology-and-conservation/

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