Analysis of vascular plant resources and diversity in Liupan Mountains of Ningxia Province, China

Abstract

Liupan Mountains are situated in the south of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and east of Gansu Province. This area is rich in forests and vegetation. After field investigation, literature review and specimen identification, the plant resources and diversity of Liupan Mountains were studied by the 4th Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Chinese Medicine Resources Scientific Expedition Team. There were 161 species of vascular plants belonging to 60 families and 119 genera collected from July to August 2010 in this area. Among them, the dominant families are Campanulaceae, Ranunculaceae, Orobanchaceae, Asparagaceae, Fabaceae, Rosaceae and Asteraceae, with 6, 7, 8, 8, 10, 10, and 22 species, respectively. Although representing only 11.7% of the total number of families, these families had a species occupancy rate of over 44.1%. At the genus level, Pedicularis is the most dominant genus with 6 species, while 92 genera contain only 1 species, accounting for 77.3% of the total number of genera. In a word, our research has updated the plant resources and diversity in Liupan Mountains. Furthermore, by providing practical and meaningful suggestions for strengthening the protection and utilization of plant resources in Liupan Mountains, our research is of great significance for maintaining the diverse ecosystem in this area.

Keywords

plant resources / diversity / Liupan Mountains

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Professor Wu Chunfu of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University for the design and arrangement of the scientific expedition route, Mr. Yu Hongjian and Mr. Xue Baizhong for their funding, and all the scientific expedition members of the 4th Chinese Medicine Scientific Expedition Team of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University for their hard work.

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