Japanese-Korean BioProvince

This BioProvince (as defined by Armen Takhtajan) includes Honshu, Kyushu, the southwestern part of Hokkaido, the smaller islands of Gotto-retto, Tanega, Tsushima and Yaku, and most of the Korean Peninsula. In Korea most of the geology is of Precambrian origin but outcrops of Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic rock also occur. In Japan the geology is complex but volcanoes, earthquakes and mountain building processes have moulded the landscape. The climate across the BioProvince differs significantly from north to south. In the south there is a relatively warm and wet climate influenced by warm ocean waters but the climate is much cooler in the north. In summer the area comes under the influence of the East Asian monsoon and can be affected by typhoons in winter. The area is incredibly rich in endemics with one endemic family (Sciadopityaceae), about 20 endemic genera such Abeliophyllum (Oleaceae), Alectorurus (Liliaceae), Ancistrocarya (Boraginaceae), Anemonopsis (Ranunculaceae), Hakonechloa (Poaceae), Japonolirion (Liliaceae), Kinugasa (Trilliaceae), Kirengeshoma (Hydrangeaceae), Peltoboykinia (Saxifragaceae), Pseudopyxis (Rubiaceae), Pteridophyllum (Pteridophyllaceae), Pterygoplearum (Apiaceae), Ranzania (Berberidaceae), Thujopsis (Cupressaceae), Tsusiophyllum (Ericaceae) and Vexillabium (Orchidaceae), and hundreds of endemic species.

The following accounts for this BioProvince have been written or will be written with particular reference to endemic and locally important species. Accounts available are displayed in green or yellow. Those displayed in red are either in the pipeline or awaiting expert contributions.

 

Index
Major Ecosystems
Endemic Vascular Plant Flora
Bryophyte Flora
Fungus Flora
Lichen Flora
Invertebrate Fauna
Amphibian Fauna
Reptile Fauna
Bird Fauna
Mammal Fauna
Conservation Status