應用植物保育優先指數於苗栗36處公墓生育地評估

Applying the plant conservation priority index to assess the habitat of 36 cemeteries in Miaoli

人類活動或開發造成棲地喪失與破碎化為生物多樣性之主要威脅，然而某些特殊低度開發土地利用如墓地與軍事管制區成為生物多樣性熱區，甚至為稀有植物植群之生育地。本研究使用苗栗地區公墓植物普查資料嘗試以物種資訊，以物種數、原生種數、特有種數及受脅物種數等參數，建立保育優先指數（Conservation Priority Index, CPI），將亟需關注與敏感區域之36處公墓進行評估與分級。保育優先指數以通霄鎮第十四公墓為最高，其次為苗栗市第二公墓與通霄鎮第五公墓。保育優先分級為A級（7處）、B級（9處）、C級（11處）及D級（9處），列為A級者面積皆大於2ha，周邊土地利用類別多佔有較大之闊葉林、草生地與未使用地，提供豐富潛在種子庫環境。本研究經過篩選與評估分級，建議優先保護之敏感區域，希冀提供相關管理單位對於土地開發迴避、受脅植物保育及復育參考。

Human activities or development leading to habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats to biodiversity. However, certain specifically low-intensity land uses, such as cemeteries and military control zones, grow into biodiversity hotspots and even habitats for rare plant communities. In this study, we utilized plant survey data from cemeteries in the Miaoli region to establish Conservation Priority Index (CPI) parameters based on species information, including species richness, native species, endemic species, and threatened species. We evaluated and classified 36 cemeteries in urgent need of attention and sensitive areas. The CPI in Tongsiao Township Cemetery No.14 was ranked the highest priority, followed by Miaoli City Cemetery No.2 and Tongsiao Township Cemetery No.5. The conservation priority was classified into four levels: Class A (7 sites), Class B (9 sites), Class C (11 sites), and Class D (9 sites). Sites in Class A areas were greater than 2 hectares, with surrounding land use mostly consisting of large areas of broadleaf forests or grasslands and unused lands, providing rich potential seed bank environments. After screening and assessment, this study suggests prioritizing sensitive areas for protection and aims to provide relevant management agencies with references for avoiding land development, conserving threatened plants, and facilitating restoration efforts.