ABSTRACT

Ferns have a significant role as a phytogenetic intermediary connecting lower and higher plants. Throughout history, humans have employed them for many purposes, such as adorning landscapes, serving as household implements, providing sustenance, and facilitating the creation of artisanal products. Furthermore, many plants have been discovered to possess medicinal properties. Ferns exhibit a diverse range of secondary metabolites possessing various bioactivities, which hold potential for therapeutic use in numerous disease treatments.

The present study was to investigate the species composition, floristic distribution features, ecological characteristics, and resource preservation and utilisation of ferns in three provinces located in northeastern China, namely Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. This investigation was conducted by means of literature analysis and data sorting. The findings of the study indicate that the surveyed areas had a total of 16 families, 39 genera, and 164 species of ferns, excluding Lycopodium. The most prevalent families observed in these regions were Dryopteridaceae and Athyriaceae, while the dominant genera were Athyrium, Dryopteris, and Equisetum. The dominant distribution types seen in the family were the northern temperate distribution type and the old world temperate distribution type. Similarly, the dominant distribution types observed in the genus were the north temperate distribution type and the H-S-J distribution type. Within this region, there exists a total of eight fern species that are exclusive to this particular area. The predominant ecological classification of fern species in this region primarily consists of soil ferns. Habitats had a vertical distribution spanning from 30 to 2040 metres, predominantly concentrated within the altitude range of 500 to 1000 metres. From a conservation standpoint, Cystopteris sudetica can be classified as near threatened (NT) in terms of fern resource protection, while Asplenium scolopendrium subsp. japonicum is categorised as vulnerable (VU). Ophioglossum thermale Kom. is classified as a nationally protected plant of Grade-II status in China. In relation to the utilisation of fern resources, it was observed that there existed various categories of ferns, namely edible, medicinal, ornamental, and multifunctional ferns.