A dataset on inventory and geographical distributions of vascular plants in Shanxi, China

Clarifying the diversity and distribution of wild vascular plants in Shanxi Province is crucial for effective plant diversity conservation efforts in the region. Flora of Shanxi, the most authoritative record of plant cataloging and distribution in Shanxi, has been available for over 20 years. During this period, the plant classification system has evolved significantly, and many new plant records have emerged in Shanxi Province. However, a comprehensive, accurate, and scientific catalog of wild vascular plants remains unavailable. Based on volumes 1–5 of the Flora of Shanxi. This study comprehensively collected relevant literature on vascular plant research in Shanxi since 1980. Using extensive field investigations and related research data collected by the authors in Shanxi Province, the wild plant list was reviewed and refined, including revisions to plant names, protection status, and distribution classifications down to the county level. This dataset presents the latest catalog of wild vascular plants in Shanxi, divided into confirmed and doubtful species lists. As of June 26, 2024, this dataset includes 2,438 species, 73 subspecies, 229 varieties, and 4 forms across 147 families and 763 genera. The dataset includes fern allies (117 species, 4 varieties in 15 families and 34 genera), gymnosperms (13 species, 4 varieties in 4 families and 8 genera), and angiosperms (2,308 species, 73 subspecies, 221 varieties, and 4 forms in 128 families and 721 genera). Additionally, 119 species, 1 subspecies, and 2 varieties are listed in The List of Key Protected Wild Plants in Shanxi Province (2023), and 36 species, 4 varieties in The List of Key Protected Wild Plants in China (2021). Further work should prioritize species with limited distribution data and species of concern to further enhance catalog plan in Shanxi Province. This research can provide fundamental data for updating the Flora of Shanxi and advancing plant diversity conservation strategies within Shanxi Province.

明确山西省野生维管植物（wild vascular plants）的多样性与分布格局，对于该区域植物多样性保护工作的高效开展至关重要。《山西植物志》（Flora of Shanxi）作为山西省最具权威性的植物分类与分布记录典籍，已出版二十余年。在此期间，植物分类体系发生了显著演变，山西省境内也新增了诸多植物新记录。然而，目前仍缺乏一套全面、准确且科学的野生维管植物名录。本研究依托《山西植物志》第1至5卷，全面收集了1980年以来山西省维管植物研究的相关文献，并结合作者在山西省开展的大量野外调查与相关研究数据，对野生植物名录进行了梳理与修订，涵盖植物名称、保护等级以及县级尺度的分布分类等内容的修正。本数据集呈现了山西省最新的野生维管植物名录，分为确认物种与疑似物种两类列表。截至2024年6月26日，本数据集共收录147科、763属，包含2438种、73亚种、229变种及4变型。其中，石松类及蕨类植物（15科、34属，含117种、4变种）、裸子植物（4科、8属，含13种、4变种）与被子植物（128科、721属，含2308种、73亚种、221变种及4变型）。此外，名录中包含《山西省重点保护野生植物名录（2023年版）》中的119种、1亚种及2变种，以及《国家重点保护野生植物名录（2021年版）》中的36种、4变种。后续研究应优先针对分布数据有限的物种以及受关注物种开展工作，以进一步完善山西省野生植物名录的编制工作。本研究可为《山西植物志》的更新以及山西省植物多样性保护策略的推进提供基础数据支撑。