title: Advances of Community-Level Plant DNA Barcoding in China.
abstract: DNA barcoding is a commonly used bio-technology in multiple disciplines including biology, environmental science, forensics and inspection, etc. Forest dynamic plots provide a unique opportunity to carry out large-scale, comparative, and multidisciplinary research for plant DNA barcoding. The paper concisely reviewed four previous progresses in China; specifically, species discrimination, community phylogenetic reconstruction, phylogenetic community structure exploration, and biodiversity index evaluation. Further, we demonstrated three major challenges; specifically, building the impetus to generate DNA barcodes using multiple plant DNA markers for all woody species at forest community levels, analyzing massive DNA barcoding sequence data, and promoting theoretical innovation. Lastly, we raised five possible directions; specifically, proposing a "purpose-driven barcode" fit for multi-level applications, developing new integrative sequencing strategies, pushing DNA barcoding beyond terrestrial ecosystem, constructing national-level DNA barcode sequence libraries for special plant groups, and establishing intelligent identification systems or online server platforms. These efforts will be potentially valuable to explore large-scale biodiversity patterns, the origin and evolution of life, and will also facilitate preservation and utilization of biodiversity resources.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Tropical Forestry Research, Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Nancai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Tropical Forestry Research, Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Bufeng
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, MRC-166, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kress
keywords: DNA barcode; community phylogeny; forest biology; reproductive trait; subtropical forest