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This paper discusses identifying Important Plant Areas (IPAs) in one of the most densely populated regions of Central Asia—the Fergana valley. The recognition of IPA sites is an attempt to introduce new ways of conserving local plant diversity with a high concentration of endemic species in Central Asia, where conservation methods of the former Soviet Union still prevail. The research revealed the current state and geography of many rare species and enriched the flora of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan with several rare species. The second IPA is the transboundary territory of the Fergana valley, uniting the southern spurs of the Chatkal range and the Ungortepa-BozbuToo massif. We documented the distribution of 62 species in the IPAs under the sub-criteria of Plantlife International. Our study aimed at continuing studies on the IPAs in this region, addressing specific conservation challenges, such as conserving national endemics and endangered species that grow outside protected areas and GIS mapping of endemic species.

Allium section Rhizirideum is reviewed for South Korea and neighboring northeastern China based on critical observation of wild populations and herbarium materials. Species delimitations are re-evaluated on the basis of morphological and somatic chromosome numbers, resulting in the recognition of five species. Allium dumebuchum from Ulleungdo Island, South Korea, is described as a new species. This species is most similar to A. senescens due to its habits, but is clearly distinguished particularly by its rhomboid scapes in cross-secion, light purple perianth color, entire and narrowly triangular inner filaments, and flowering season from late September. One previously recognized species is placed into synonymy: A. pseudosenescens (under A. senescens). Photographs and a key to species of Allium section Rhizirideum in South Korea and northeastern China are provided in addition to information on nomenclatural types, synonymies, chromosome numbers, distribution, and specimens examined.

This paper discusses identifying Important Plant Areas (IPAs) in one of the most densely populated regions of Central Asia--the Fergana valley. The recognition of IPA sites is an attempt to introduce new ways of conserving local plant diversity with a high concentration of endemic species in Central Asia, where conservation methods of the former Soviet Union still prevail. The research revealed the current state and geography of many rare species and enriched the flora of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan with several rare species. The second IPA is the transboundary territory of the Fergana valley, uniting the southern spurs of the Chatkal range and the Ungortepa-BozbuToo massif. We documented the distribution of 62 species in the IPAs under the sub-criteria of Plantlife International. Our study aimed at continuing studies on the IPAs in this region, addressing specific conservation challenges, such as conserving national endemics and endangered species that grow outside protected areas and GIS mapping of endemic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a new species, Chrysosplenium insularis J.E.Jang, K.H.Lee & H.Y.Gil, belonging to the family Saxifragaceae, from the southern islands of the Republic of Korea. Chrysosplenium insularis is morphologically similar to C. japonicum (Maxim.) Makino but can be distinguished by fairly persistent bulbils, green to yellowish-green sepals, four stamens, and cylindrical papillose seeds. Chrysosplenium insularis is also distinguished from C. alternifolium L., which is distributed in Europe, northern Russia, and the Caucasus, by the absence of stolons and green bracts. Phylogenetic analyses, based on one nuclear ribosomal (ITS) and two chloroplast (rbcL, matK) regions, confirmed that the new species was monophyletic and that C. insularis and C. alternifolium formed a sister relationship with robust support. Herein, we provide a detailed morphological description of C. insularis with its corresponding geographical distribution and comparison table and figures of related species.