Protection priority evaluation of rare and endangered medicinal plants in Manling County of Tibet, China

Authors Wang Shuli; Luo Jian; Quan Hong; Lan Xiaozhong

Journal Guihaia , 2018,7:38

Abstract Combining plots and route method, the resources of wild medicinal plants in Manling County of Tibet,China, were investigated more comprehensively. Several indexes included list coefficient, deposit coefficient, endangered coefficient, genetic coefficient, valuable coefficient, conservation coefficient and breed coefficient were used to identify the protection priority sequences of the rare and endangered medicinal plants quantitatively. Moreover, the species composition, function and parts used diversity of these medicinal plants were analyzed. Totally, there are 97 species (occupying 30.70% of the total medicinal species), 72 genera (occupying 32.00% of the total medicinal genera) and 37 families (occupying 48.05% of the total medicinal families) should be given a priority protection. Out of the 97 medicinal species, 95 species, 69 genera, 35 families represent angiosperm and two species, two genera, two families represent gymnosperm. Among these rare and endangered medicinal species, eleven species in eleven genera and nine families are classified as the first-class protected medicinal plants, 27 species in 25 genera and 18 families are classified as the second-class protected plants, and 59 species in 46 genera and 28 families are classified as the third-class protected medicinal plants. For the functions of these 97 medicinal plants, there are more species used as heat-clearing (32 species, accounting for 32.99%) and tonicing medicine (20 species, accounting for 20.62%). Additionally, among these 97 plants, more species use underground stem (34 species, accounting for 35.05%) and entire plant (26 species, accounting for 26.80%) as medical parts. The conservation priority classes and endangered level vary from our research to the lists of endangered plants. Sinopodophyllum hexandrum has the highest value of extent coefficient as the first-class protected plant but belongs to third-class protected plant on the lists. In addition, endangered degree of seven species was found growing to high levels in Manling county. Finally, based on these analyses and wild investigation, we analyzed the endangered causes for these rare and endangered medicinal plants from internal and external factors. Then, we put forward some suggestions on conservation such as making protective measures according to the protection priority sequences, building reserve, carrying out scientific research and strengthen legislation. Our results may provide a data basis for making scientific protection measures and the sustainable utilization of medicinal plant resources in Manling County.

Species covered 桃儿七 Sinopodophyllum hexandrum