Forest diversity and vitality of the important relict and endangered fern species, Brainea insignis in China: implications for conservation
2021
Cui, Y. | Zhang, Y. | Liang, P. | Sun, L. | Lee, S. Y. | Liao, W.
Brainea insignis is the only species in the genus Brainea. It is widely distributed in the Asia and Australia continents, but usually in small, fragmented populations. Owing to its sensitivity towards habitat changes and human disturbance, the population of this fern is deteriorating. At present, it is classified as an endangered species in China. In this study, we assessed the forest diversity and vitality status of B. insignis in its natural habitat. A total of 63 vascular plant species belonging to 55 genera of 40 families were recorded in the 1200-m2 study plot. The Raunkiaer’s frequency index indicated that B. insignis was experiencing a decline in stand size and structure although the overall level of vitality was 18.58. One-way ANOVA revealed that significant differences were detected between the basal diameter, tree height, crown size, and number of leaves of B. insignis in the study plot, but not between tree height and number of leaves. Proper conservation management is requisite to ensure continuous survival of this relict species in the wild despite eqinterference from evolution and urbanisation from mankind.
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