From our ongoing project conducted by Tumbuhan Asli Nusantara Foundation, we also created a local relevant checklist to present the results of the current expedition. This checklist could be based on geographic regions, taxonomic groups, or other categories, like conservation status. We hope it can be a valuable supplement to our country-level checklist.
Flora of Kabaena
Kabaena is an otherworldly island in Sulawesi, with most of the island consisting of nickel-rich metamorphic rocks or ultramafic. Many threatened species occur on this island, like Xanthostemon confertiflorus, Goniothalamus majestatis, and Dehaasia celebica. Meanwhile, this island also has other endemic species like Gardenia kabaenensis, Vernonia kabaensis, and two recently described Begonia species, Begonia batusangiensis and B. kabaenensis. In the last few years, more than 70 per cent of the island’s area has been assigned as mining concessions. Consequently, the unique flora of the island is highly threatened since the mine will use an open pit. To make sure that the plants are properly documented before their habitat is gone, we have been creating a checklist and plan to publish a field guide book for the flora of Kabaena.