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Endemic plant species, with their restricted distribution, are vulnerable to extinction due to human activities and environmental change. Monitoring their ecological characteristics and habitat relationships is crucial for conservation. This study examined plant communities to prioritize populations for conserving the Korean endemic species, Taihyun’s abelia (Zabelia tyaihyonii (Nakai) Hisauti & H.Hara), and to identify threats and strategies for its protection. Vegetation surveys were conducted, classifying communities and analyzing species composition differences. Habitat quality and zeta diversity, assessed using the InVEST model, identified three community types: Quercus dentata–Thuja orientalis (Com. 1), Fraxinus rhynchophylla–Buxus koreana (Com. 2), and Quercus dentata–Carex humilis var. nana (Com. 3). Community classification was supported by a multi-response permutation procedure (p < 0.001) and non-metric multidimensional scaling (R² = 0.643). Species richness and soil calcium influenced species composition, and habitat quality was moderate (0.5562 ± 0.0294). Com. 1 and Com. 3 showed minimal zeta diversity decline, indicating strong habitat connectivity. However, fluctuations at zeta orders 8–12 suggested localized disturbances. Species turnover instability was linked to urbanization and disturbance. This study, using a diverse set of analytical tools, was able to pinpoint key features of habitat quality and composition associated with Z. tyaihyonii and the anthropogenic factors that will lead to its decline. Our work provides a road map for the conservation of other rare and endemic Korean plant species with similar conservation issues. Full article

Zabelia tyaihyonii (Nakai) Hisauti and H. Hara is a perennial shrub endemic to Republic of Korea that grows naturally in only a very limited region of the dolomite areas of Gangwon-do and Chungcheongbuk-do Provinces in the Republic of Korea. Given its geographical characteristics, it is more vulnerable than more widely distributed species. Despite the need for comprehensive information to support conservation, population genetic information for this species is very scarce. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity and population structure of 94 individuals from six populations of Z. tyaihyonii using a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach to provide important information for proper conservation and management. Our results, based on 3088 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), showed a mean expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.233, no sign of within-population inbreeding (G_IS that was close to or even below zero in all populations), and a high level of genetic differentiation (F_ST = 0.170). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that the principal molecular variance existed within populations (84.5%) rather than among populations (17.0%). We suggested that six management units were proposed for conservation considering Bayesian structure analysis and phylogenetic analysis, and given the various current situations faced by Z. tyaihyonii, it is believed that not only the in situ conservation but also the ex situ conservation should be considered. Full article