The vegetation characteristics of semi-mangrove Hibiscus hamabo Siebold & Zucc. and Paliurus ramosissimus (Lour.) Poir. in Jeju Island, Korea

Hibiscus hamabo and Paliurus ramosissimus are Korea’s endangered flora species, are predominantly native to Jeju Island, with more limited native appearances on few of Korea’s southern islands. The differences between the northernmost area (Jeju) and Japan’s southwestern native habitat characteristics of H. hamabo and P. ramosissimus were investigated utilizing a B-B method. In the case of semi-mangrove plants on Jeju island, its native habitats are divided into the inlet and gulf areas. Over time as silt soil deposits took shape, Cnidium japonicum and Limonium tetragonum appeared along with H. hamabo in bay areas, while Vitex rotundifolia and Eurya emarginata appeared at bedrock sites that had poor soil conditions in gulf areas. 
P. ramosissimus appeared in three habitats: wetland type, seashore rock type, and costal roadside type. In wetland type, Cyclosorus interruptus and Persicaria japonica appeared with high contributions. In the seashore rock type, the woody and vines native to the coast, the Euonymus japonicus and the Lonicera japonica, are found. In the ruderal site beside the coastal road, Humulus scandens, Rosa multiiflora, and other annual plants appeared. Jeju’s habitat appeared to have a more limited natural propagation radius than found in Japan, and are vulnerable to damage by coastal development. Therefore, more preservations efforts are essential of H. hamabo and P. ramosissimus, which support the integrity of coastal ecosystems and contributes to carbon capture.