Endemic Seed Plant Species from Hainan Island: A Checklist

Abstract

Global conservation of plant biodiversity on tropical islands is a major priority, as approximately one third of all endangered plant species are insular endemics. Checklists can be an important first step in determining conservation priorities on islands. Hainan, the largest island in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, and therefore an international focus for conservation, has the most extensive and best preserved tropical forests in China. In this study we enumerate the endemic seed plants of Hainan Island. The checklist was prepared by consulting:(1) several bibliographic/taxonomic data base resources, (2) relevant taxonomic treatments and floras, and (3) plant taxonomists who are actively working with Chinese plants. The checklist also contains information concerning conservation status, the occurrence of Hainan endemics in four protected areas on the island, and available molecular phylogenies. An additional checklist of the species that were until recently thought to be endemic to Hainan, but are no longer considered to be, is also presented. In a separate paper in this issue of Botanical Review the patterns of endemism on Hainan Island are discussed.

Eat your orchid and have it too: a potentially new conservation formula for Chinese epiphytic medicinal orchids

“…In the orchid-rich, tropical Hainan Island, all known native orchids of Hainan Island, including all known endemics, can be found in one or more of its protected areas (Song, X.-Q. Hainan University, personal communication; Francisco-Ortega et al 2010). Similarly, at least 709 of the 760 species of orchids of Yunnan, the most biologically diverse province of China, can be found in nature reserves of various kinds (Xu et al 2010).…”

“…the Yachang Orchid National Nature Reserve (hereafter refer to as the Yachang Reserve), that adopts orchid conservation as its main goal (Liu et al 2009;. Nevertheless, with few exceptions, the population status of these orchids is poorly known (Francisco-Ortega et al 2010;Xu et al 2010).…”

Complete Chloroplast Genome of Michelia shiluensis and a Comparative Analysis with Four Magnoliaceae Species

“…Michelia shiluensis Chun and Y. F. Wu (Magnoliaceae) is an endangered flowering plant that is sparsely distributed throughout Hainan Province, China [1]. It is characterized by leafy branches and beautiful flowers, and is, therefore, widely used in landscape gardening [2].…”

High Genetic Diversity and Low Differentiation in Michelia shiluensis, an Endangered Magnolia Species in South China

“…In order to maintain the adaptability and long-term survival ability of species [13][14][15], it is necessary to understand the genetic diversity and population structure across a given species' distribution area [16], and thereby develop scientifically grounded conservation strategies [17].Michelia shiluensis (Magnoliaceae) is an evergreen tree that has been placed on the Red List of Magnoliaceae, which identifies magnolia species that are at risk of extinction throughout the world [18]. This tree is scattered throughout Hainan [19] and southern Guangdong provinces [20], and is characterized by a straight tree shape, bright leaves, elegant and aromatic flowers, and dense wood structure [21,22]. As a desirable ornamental garden plant and an important timber tree species, the wild resources of M. shiluensis have been severely misappropriated and plundered.…”

“…Michelia shiluensis (Magnoliaceae) is an evergreen tree that has been placed on the Red List of Magnoliaceae, which identifies magnolia species that are at risk of extinction throughout the world [18]. This tree is scattered throughout Hainan [19] and southern Guangdong provinces [20], and is characterized by a straight tree shape, bright leaves, elegant and aromatic flowers, and dense wood structure [21,22]. As a desirable ornamental garden plant and an important timber tree species, the wild resources of M. shiluensis have been severely misappropriated and plundered.…”