First Documentation of Two Rare Fern Species in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve, Yunnan, China

Abstract

Transboundary conservation actions have been recognized as essential in our efforts to stop the loss of biodiversity. However, lack of information on species distributions in transboundary regions and accordingly the understanding of the threats in these areas impairs conservation. During a preliminary survey of ferns and lycophytes in Menglun Sub-reserve of the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve, Yunnan, China, two species were collected and identified as new records, which are the new Chinese record of Leptochilus wusugongii, new record of Hymenasplenium wusugongii in Mengla County, and the rediscovery of populations of Cyrtomium latifalcatum, these first two species were only newly published and recorded in Laos. This study represents the need for more survey in the transboundary regions and joined efforts in the assessment of conservation needs as well as planning of conservation actions crossing the borders of several nations.