Conservation Plans Formed for Endangered Native Taiwanese Plants

Taipei: Conservation action plans for three endangered plant species native to Taiwan have been jointly developed by the Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute (TBRI) and the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA), the Ministry of Agriculture announced. These plans aim to bolster conservation efforts for the endangered Taiwan cork-tree (Phellodendron amurense var. wilsonii), Kao's thorowax (Bupleurum kaoi), and Japanese sedge (Carex kobomugi Ohwi). According to Focus Taiwan, the ministry, which oversees the TBRI and FANCA, stated that the conservation plans outline each species' current status, ecological characteristics, population trends, reproductive biology, and conservation strategies. This framework is intended to guide future conservation efforts effectively. The TBRI expressed hope that collaboration among central and local governments, research institutions, and civic groups will help reverse the decline of these endangered plants and conserve Taiwan's native flora. Japanese sedge and Taiw an cork-tree are listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, signifying an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Bupleurum kaoi is categorized as Endangered, indicating a very high risk of extinction. The TBRI noted that Japanese sedge is a temperate coastal plant native to central and southern Japan, the Ussuri region, the Korean Peninsula, northeastern China, and Taiwan, marking the southernmost extent of its range. Only three populations remain in Taiwan, including two along the coast at Fulong and Yanliao in New Taipei and one on Dongju Island in Lienchiang County (Matsu). The species plays a crucial role in stabilizing coastal dunes by binding loose sand and reducing erosion. Taiwan cork-tree is a deciduous tree found in northern and central Taiwan at elevations between 1,800 and 2,700 meters, mainly in Yilan County's Taipingshan area and Nantou County's Cuifeng area. Its mature fruits are an important winter food source for wildlife, while its root system helps stabilize hillsides and prevent soil erosion. However, the species faces threats from overharvesting, slow natural regeneration, and genetic drift. Bupleurum kaoi grows in northern Taiwan and low-elevation mountainous areas, including Tongxiao and Houlong in Miaoli County. Similar to the Taiwan cork-tree, it is threatened by overharvesting and limited natural regeneration, according to the TBRI.