Vascular plants of Mt. Munhaksan (Incheon, Korea)
This study systematically investigated the vascular plants of Mt. Munhaksan (217 m a.s.l) in Incheon, Korea, aiming to provide essential baseline data for the conservation and management of its plant resources. Prompted by surrounding urban development and the recent public opening of the summit area, a comprehensive re-evaluation of the entire mountain was conducted, building upon a previous survey. Based on 20 field surveys carried out from March to October 2025, the study identified a total of 269 taxa. These comprised 80 families, 191 genera, 239 species, four subspecies, 23 varieties, and three forms. The documented flora included four Korean endemic taxa (e.g., Viola seoulensis and Hemerocallis hakuunensis) and 15 floristic target species. Additionally, 251 taxa (93.3%) were classified as useful resource plants. The survey also recorded 41 invasive alien taxa, leading to a Naturalization Index of 15.2% and an Urbanization Index of 10.5%. Among these were seven ecosystem-disturbing plants, such as Sicyos angulatus and Ageratina altissima. A significant shift in the plant community was observed when comparing these findings to a 2000 survey: 147 taxa were newly recorded, and the Naturalization Index increased from 11.5% to 15.2%. These results highlight accelerating edge effects in this isolated urban ecological island, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted biodiversity conservation policies and proactive management strategies for invasive alien plants.