Population size of two endangered Vireya Rhododendron species and their surrounding vegetation on the top of The Mt. Rantemario, Sulawesi

Five of the 29 species of Rhododendron of Sulawesi are threatened and two of which have endangered category (EN D). Field assessment had been conducted to measure the current population size of the endangered R. eymae and R. nanophyton var. nanophyton. One hundred and fortyplots (of each 5x5 m2) along seven transects were established around the summit of Mt. Rantemario (3,269–3,445 m asl.), South Sulawesi. The results showed that there were 318 individuals of R. eymae and two individuals of R. nanophyton var. nanophyton within the plots. We also found that the estimated population sizes of those two species have not met the criteria previously stated (EN D). The appropriated status for both species is Vulnerable (VU D2). The reasons for proposing this new category are discussed. The dominated shrubs and herbs on the summit area of Mt. Rantemario were Leptospermum javanica (IVI=37.08), Eriocaulon truncatum (IVI=34.83), and Styphelia suaveolens(IVI=24.63). The association of those three plants with the Rhododendron’swere analysed.