Conservation and Research - Researchers
Flora Conservation Department
Flora Conservation Department
Fauna Conservation Flora Conservation Conservation by Site Ecological Advisory Programme Collaborative Research in KFBG’s Nature Reserve Researchers Facilities

Dr. Jihong Li

Botanist (Orchid Conservation Genetics)

Flora Conservation Department

I work on the molecular systematics and population genetics of orchids as a Botanist in the Orchid Conservation Section of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden. My primary research interest is the application of phylogenetic data sets for the conservation of threatened orchids. To this end, I use sequence data (including DNA barcodes) to reconstruct phylogenetic histories and calculate phylogenetic diversity, evolutionary distinctiveness and other metrics, to help assess conservation priorities within orchid floras at the local (e.g. Hong Kong) and regional (e.g. Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot) levels. I have also been involved in planning and implementing the reintroduction of Phalaenopsis pulcherrima in Hainan.

Projects:

  • Prioritising Orchids for Conservation based on Phylogenetic History and Extinction Risk
  • Taxonomy and Ecology of Indo-Burma Orchids and Other Plants
  • Ecology and Conservation of Phalaenopsis pulcherrima in Hainan

Selected publications:

Zhang, Z., Gale, S.W., Li, J.H., Fischer, G.A., Ren, M.X., Song, X.Q. 2019. Pollen-mediated gene flow ensures connectivity among spatially discrete sub-populations of Phalaenopsis pulcherrima, a tropical food-deceptive orchid. BMC Plant Biology 19: 597.

Li, J.H., Gale, S.W., Kumar, P., Zhang, J., Fischer, G.A. 2018. Prioritizing the orchids of a biodiversity hotspot for conservation based on phylogenetic history and extinction risk. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 186: 473–497.

Gale, S.W., Duangjai, S., Li, J.H., Ito, Y., Watthana, S., Termwutthipreecha, P., Cheuk, M.L., Suddee, S. 2018. Integrative analyses of Nervilia (Orchidaceae) section Linervia reveal further undescribed cryptic diversity in Thailand. Systematics and Biodiversity 16: 377–396.

Gale, S.W., Li, J.H., Kinoshita, A., Yukawa, T. 2015. Studies in Asian Nervilia (Orchidaceae) V: Nervilia futago, a cryptic new species from Southwest Japan Confirmed by morphological, cytological, and molecular analyses. Systematic botany 40: 413–425.

Li, J.H., Liu, Z.J., Salazar, G.A., Bernhardt, P., Perner, H., Tomohisa, Y., Jin, X.H., Chung S.W., Luo, Y.B. 2011. Molecular phylogeny of Cypripedium (Orchidaceae: Cypripedioideae) inferred from multiple nuclear and chloroplast regions. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 61: 308–320.