长白山高山苔原带植物濒危现状及保护级别评估

通过野外调查、文献查阅、专家咨询及市场调查等手段获得长白山高山苔原带植物生存状况、分布数量的基本数据。在查阅文献的基础上,借助专家咨询构建了长白山高山苔原带植物受危等级、优先保护定量评估体系。该体系包含3个子系统,每个子系统下设不同指标共计12个。通过专家咨询法和层次分析法相结合的方法确定各子系统及各指标的权重。共评估植物94种,其中极危种3种,濒危种6种,易危种22种,近危种42种,无危种21种;在保护的缓急程度上,属于特级保护的有5种,一级保护的有6种,二级保护的有34种,三级保护的有30种,暂缓保护的有19种。评估结果与以往的红色名录进行了比较,一些从未列入红色目录的种类在本研究结果中有所体现。相反,有些曾被列入红色名录的物种在本次评估中被列为"无危"。对评估结果与以往红色名录之间产生差异种类及原因进行了讨论。

Assessment of the endangered status and conservation priorities for plants in the alpine tundra of Changbai Mountain

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-systems. The weights for each sub-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 classified as endangered, 22 were classified as vulnerable, 42 were classified as near threatened, and 21 were classified as of least concern. According to our conservation priority index, five species were classified as special class conservation (including Saxifraga punctata, which was not recorded in any Red List), six species were classified as first class conservation (including Diphasiastrum alpinum, which was not recorded in any Red List), 34 species were classified as second class conservation (including 19 species that were not recorded in any Red List), 30 species were classified as third-class conservation (including 22 species that were not recorded in any Red List), and 19 species were categorized as delayed conservation (including six species that were listed in the Red Lists). Comparison of our evaluation results with existing official Red Lists revealed that certain species not recorded in the existing official Red Lists were classified in almost all our regional endangered grades; on the other hand, some red-listed species were classified as of least concern according to our regional endangered grades. We discuss possible reasons for these discrepancies. Our findings provide important new regional information on plants in the alpine tundra ecosystems of Changbai Mountain.