Forest diversity and vitality of the important relict and endangered fern species Brainea insignis in China: implications for conservation

Cui Y., . and Zhang Y., . and Liang P., . and Sun L., . and Lee S. Y., . and Liao W., . Forest diversity and vitality of the important relict and endangered fern species Brainea insignis in China: implications for conservation. pp. 356-367. ISSN 0128-1283

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 Raunkiaers 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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Abstract

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 Raunkiaers 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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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Ferns
AGROVOC Term:	Endangered species
AGROVOC Term:	Forest diversity
AGROVOC Term:	Breast height diameter
AGROVOC Term:	Plant population
AGROVOC Term:	Species diversity
AGROVOC Term:	Botanical composition
AGROVOC Term:	Biological diversity conservation
AGROVOC Term:	Survival
AGROVOC Term:	Vitality
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:55
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/10049

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