Floristic study of Aphaedo Island in Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, Korea

We investigated vascular plants of Aphaedo Island in Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, Korea. By referring to voucher specimens collected over the course of 28 days from May of 2011 to March of 2016, a total of 451 taxa were identified and grouped into 102 families, 294 genera, 413 species, 6 subspecies, 30 varieties, and 2 forms, of which 9 taxa were classified as endangered or rare, including Albizia kalkora, Salomonia oblongifolia, and Centranthera cochinchinensis var. lutea. A total of 59 taxa were identified as regional indicator plants. Six taxa were endemic to Korea, including Hepatica insularis, Indigofera koreana, and Lespedeza maritima. Three taxa (Rumex acetosella, Aster pilosus, and Hypochaeris radicata) among 52 naturalized taxa were ecosystem-disturbing plants as designated by the Ministry of the Environment. The results of preceding floristic research before and after the inauguration of the Aphaedaegyo (bridge) were used to analyze changes in the number of naturalized species on Aphaedo Island.