Diversity of plants in the hight mountains of Pu Mat national Park

Pu Mat National Park is ranked as having one of the highest levels of plant diversity in Vietnam. In Pu Mat National Park, most primary forests are distributed in the high mountains at altitudes of 900-1,841metres. Therefore, these mountains are important for biodiversity and conservation. The flora of high mountains is comprised of 542 species, 256 genera, 112 families. Among them, the Angiopermae is predominant with 492 species (90,8%), 222 genera (86,7%) and 94 families (83,9%). Families with many genera and species are Rubiaceae (13 genera, 33 species), Melastomataceae (10 genera, 19 species), Lauraceae (9 genera, 29 species), Euphorbiaceae (8 genera, 16 species), Orchidaceae (8 genera, 12 species), Theaceae (6 genera, 19 species), Loranthaceae (6 genera, 6 species), Fabaceae  (5 genera, 7 species),  Myrsinaceae (5 genera, 26 species), and Ericaceae (5 genera, 28 species). Among the useful plants, medicinal plants are predominant with 141 species (26%). Nine species are endangered, namely, Fokienia hodginsii, Cunninghamia konishii, Manglietia fordiana, Madhuca pasquieri, Ardisia sylvestris, Strychnos nitida, Strychnos ignatii, Smilax elegantissima, Smilax petelotii. The combination of in-situ conservation, ex-situ conservation and other suitable methods is necessary to protect biodiversity in Pu Mat National Park because the biological and scientific values of Pu Mat National Park are unquestionably of international importance.

Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Nguyen Van Sinh
Pu Mat National Park, Nghe An Province
(Proceedings of 3rd National Scientific Conference on Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi 22th October 2009 - IEBR)