Wild Plants Division
There are around 300,000 known species of plant in the world today. They can be classified as algae, bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts), ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. Due to lack of vascular bundles (the system for transportation of nutrients and fluid within plants), algae and bryophytes are known as 'non-vascular plants'. There are approximately 1,500 species of bryophyte in Taiwan and it features extremely high diversity. By contrast, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms do have vascular bundles, and are consequently called 'vascular plants'. Among the vascular plants presently known in Taiwan, angiosperms make up the majority with over 3,600 species in 228 families, followed by ferns with around 650 species in 37 families, and then gymnosperms with 28 species in eight families. Nearly one quarter of these are endemic to Taiwan. In addition, there are also about 5,740 recorded species of fungi (Eumycota) in this island. Although fungi are no longer classified as plants, the study of mushrooms and other fungi is still included in the Division of Botany`s research scope because of conservation requirements.
To remedy the lack of basic information about plant in Taiwan , BRI, formerly known as ESRI, has proactively undertaken inventory surveys and systematic taxonomy researches of Taiwan`s vascular plants, bryophytes, and fungi by county and metropolitan area since 1992. Through these researches, BRI has established species lists and images and basic distribution information. They are useful in preserving Taiwan`s biological diversity, utilizing resources sustainably, restoring endangered plants, and supporting local government conservation work, as well as in enabling long-term researches and monitoring. Furthermore, in order to slow down the ongoing spread of non-native invasive species and to minimize their impact on Taiwan`s economy and environment, BRI has also explored and researched the ecology and spread trends of specific invasive species, and has drawn up appropriate strategies for their prevention.
To assess the vascular plants survival status and gear to international standards, BRI has also published “The Red List of Vascular Plants of Taiwan”, this report assessed all of the wild vascular plants based on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List Categories and Criteria. A total of 5,188 wild plants were included in the candidate assessment list, and 746 of which did not proceed to be evaluated because of being determined as Not Applicable (NA) to regional assessment. The remaining 4,442 species underwent subsequent evaluation. The results showed 27 taxa have been extinct in the wild of Taiwan, including 5 taxa categorized as Extinct in the Wild (EW) and 22 taxa as Regionally Extinct (RE). The three nationally threatened categories include 989 taxa, of which 195 taxa are Critically Endangered (CR), 283 taxa are Endangered (EN) and 511 taxa are Vulnerable (VU). Additionally, 463, 336 and 2,627 taxa belong to Near Threatened (NT), Data Deficient (DD) and Least Concern (LC), respectively. Nationally threatened and nationally near-threatened wild vascular plants account for 22.3 % and 10.4 % of the totally evaluated taxa, with respectively.
Rhododendron rubropilosumHayata var. taiwanalpinum(Ohwi) S. Y. Lu, Y. P. Yang & Y. H. Tseng(by Ai Tai-Lin)
Adenophora morrisonensis Hayata sub sp. uehatae(Yamam.) Lammers(by Ai Tai-Lin)
Solmsiella biseriate is a rare species in taiwan only distributed in low-altitude areas of Nantou County(by Yang Jia-Dong)
Strobilomyces seminudus is a newly-recorded species found by ESRI(by Chen Jian-Ming)