Zhu R.-L.1, Hu R.-L.1, Ma Y.-J.2 1994. Some comments on rare and endangered liverworts in mainland China // Arctoa. Vol.3: 7–12 [in English].
1 Department of Biology, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
2 Baishanzu Nature Reserve, Qinyuan 323808, Zhejiang Province, China
KEYWORDS: bryophytes, hepatics, rare plants, endangered, conservation.
ABSTRACT. Based on our field and literature surveys, four types of endangered liverworts are recognized for the mainland Chinese bryoflora: A type - rare and endemic species; B type - widespread species becoming rare; C type - species important to scientific research; and D type - species with a widely disjunctive distribution. We put forward six major causes for the decline of liverwort populations in mainland China. These are: 1) over-cutting of natural forests; 2) ill-planned public construction works; 3) cultivation of edible mushrooms and medicinal plants; 4) inappropriate conservation practices; 5) over collection of leaves with epiphyllous liverworts; and 6) air pollution. A preliminary list of 18 species of rare and endangered liverworts are provided for mainland China. The following measures are proposed to help conserve these liverworts: 1) more investigations of local bryoflora; 2) establishment of more nature reserves; and 3) public education and dissemination of information about nature conservation and endangered plant species.
doi 10.15298/arctoa.03.02