Received: November 30, 2010 Accepted: December 10, 2010
Abstract
The distribution of three typical warm-temperate evergreen trees, Quercus acuta Thunb., Neolitsea sericea (Blume) Koidz., and Machilus thunbergii Siebold & Zucc., were surveyed on the Korean Peninsula based on field and specimen investigations and the distribution maps of the three species were prepared. The distribution patterns of the species correspond to the south coast floristic region in Korea, which includes the distributional areas of Jeju-do, Isl. Ulleung, the southern coastal areas, and the areas up to the islands around Incheon in the Yellow Sea. The northernmost limit of the distribution of Quercus acuta is Isl. Nap of Incheon in the west, and a new distribution was found at Isl. Ulleung in the East Sea; additionally, the limit of Neolitsea sericea is the Deojoek archipelago of Incheon. The northernmost limit of Machilus thunbergii is Isl. Daecheong of Incheon, which is the highest latitude among those of the three species. This distribution survey of evergreen broad-leaved trees in Korea can be used as basic data for the delimitation of floristic regions and as a bio-indicator of climatic change.