DIVERSITY OF VASCULAR PLANTS IN PHU KHIEO WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, CHAIYAPHUM PROVINCE

Abstract

A study of vascular plant diversity at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Chaiyaphum Province was conducted from 1 April 1998 through 1 April 1999. The study objectives included surveying vascular plants species, producing a checklist with habits, conservation status and addressing conservation problems. The results indicate that 1,417 vascular plants species, 753 genera, 196 families inhabit this area, comprising of nonseed plants (19 families, 24 genera, 30 species), gymnosperms (5 families, 7 genera, 10 species), monocotyledons (23 families, 143 genera, 249 species) and dicotyledons (148 families, 578 genera, 1,128 species). Within this list ate endemic species (9 families, 9 genera. 10 species), temperate species (15 families, 19 genera, 24 species), introduced species (12 families, 12 genera, 12 species), exotic species (32 families, 53 genera, 59 species) with 1,311 species listed as native species According to the Plants Protection Act 1987, 232 of these species are normally protected while 6 species are specially protected. Which fall under the Minor Forest Protection Act 1987, Phu Khico Wildlife Sanctuary has 102 species.