Evaluation of the level of threat and protective classification of the vegetation of Makehe Forest in Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve, west China

Abstract

After investigating and studying the vegetation, we have established that Makehe Forest, in Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve, Qinghai Province, is host to a total of 364 different species, representing 173 genera  in 55 different vegetative families. We propose five quantifiable indices for evaluating the level of threat to these plants: 1) the distribution frequency of the line transect ; 2) the distribution frequency of sample plots; 3) the distribution density inside sample plots; 4) the existing abundance in the forest region; and 5) plant fidelity. The results show that there are two endangered species, six vulnerable species, 12 nearly threatened species and 344 safe species. The study tried to evaluate the urgency for conserving these plants, according to coefficients of closeness to disappearance, of genetic loss and of usefulness. Results also showed that the number of species of primary concern is two; of secondary concern, nine; of the third level, 23; and of least concern, 330 species.