The Liverwort and Hornwort Flora of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea: A Volcanic Island with a Unique Mixture of Subtropical, Temperate, Boreal, and Arctomontane Taxa

Jeju Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and volcanic island off the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, hosts a unique liverwort and hornwort flora that blends subtropical, temperate, boreal, and arctomontane taxa. This study identifies 222 taxa, including 86 species newly recorded for Jeju Island, highlighting its role as a crossroads between boreal and subtropical floras. Notable discoveries include the arctomontane Anthelia juratzkana and the first record of Cryptocoleopsis imbricata. The research, based on an analysis of 1697 specimens, provides a detailed checklist and underscores Jeju's ecological significance as a meeting point for diverse climatic elements. This finding enhances our understanding of the island's biodiversity and its adaptive strategies in a volcanic environment.

Choi, S. S., Bakalin, V. A., Bum, H. M., Park, S. J., Kim, D. S., Ahn, U. S., & Moon, M.-O. (2023). The Liverwort and Hornwort Flora of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea: A Volcanic Island with a Unique Mixture of Subtropical, Temperate, Boreal, and Arctomontane Taxa. Plants, 12(12), 2384. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12122384