Vascular plants in the tourist area of Lushan National Nature Reserve, China: status, threats and conservation

Lushan National Nature Reserve, a biodiversity hotspot, faces significant threats from human activities such as plant introduction, road construction, and tourism. A 2015–2016 survey identified 563 vascular plant species along its main tourism routes, including 157 endemic to China (three unique to Lushan), 26 threatened with extinction, and 15 ancient relic species. Notably, 131 introduced species—17 of which are invasive—have altered the native flora, particularly in shrub and herb layers. The study highlights the need for urgent conservation measures to protect this delicate ecosystem.

Hui, W., Ceming, T., Wen, X., Xuan, W., Dahan, A., & Qiang, F. (2020). Vascular plants in the tourist area of Lushan National Nature Reserve, China: status, threats and conservation. Eco.Mont (Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research), 12(1), 60–63. https://doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-12-1s60