The alpine tundra ecosystems of Changbai Mountain provide a refuge for many types of plants. However, the area is ecologically fragile because of climate change and artificial disturbance. With the exception of a number of species listed in a provincial Red List, the conservation status of plants in this area is unknown. In the present study, we conducted a quantitative assessment to determine the extinction risk and conservation priorities for plants in the alpine tundra ecosystems of Changbai Mountain. Data regarding the current status of plants in this area were inferred from field surveys, market surveys, published literature studies, and consultations with experts. We established a quantitative evaluation system for addressing the endangered status and conservation urgency of plants in the alpine tundra ecosystems of Changbai Mountain, by modifying existing protocols and consulting with experts. Our assessment protocol included 12 indicators from three sub鄄 systems. The weights for each sub鄄system and each terminal indicator were determined by using the Delphi method and the analytic hierarchy process. We developed an indicator value assignment criterion to quantify differences among species. We based the indicator values for the evaluated species on available data regarding their current status and on published literature surveys. In addition, we developed regional endangered categories and criteria for threatened plants by consulting the IUCN Red List categories and criteria version 3.1; we assigned conservation priority criteria after consulting relevant published literature studies. We evaluated 94 species, among which three were classified as critically endangered, six were
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.