Spatial phylogenetics of the Chinese angiosperm flora provides insights into endemism and conservation

• Published in: Journal of integrative plant biology Vol. 64; no. 1; pp. 105 - 117
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xiao‐Xia, Ye, Jian‐Fei, Laffan, Shawn W., Mishler, Brent D., Thornhill, Andrew H., Lu, Li‐Min, Mao, Ling‐Feng, Liu, Bing, Chen, You‐Hua, Lu, An‐Ming, Miller, Joseph T., Chen, Zhi‐Duan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China (Republic : 1949- ) Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.01.2022; Beijing Botanical Garden,Institute of Botany,the Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100093,China%School of Biological,Earth and Environmental Sciences,University of New South Wales,SydneyNSW,2052,Australia%University and Jepson Herbaria,and Department of Integrative Biology,University of California,BerkeleyCA,94720-2465,USA%University and Jepson Herbaria,and Department of Integrative Biology,University of California,BerkeleyCA,94720-2465,USA; State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany,Institute of Botany,the Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100093,China%State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany,Institute of Botany,the Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100093,China; State Herbarium of South Australia,Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium,Department for Environment and Water,AdelaideSA,5001,Australia%College of Biology and the Environment,Nanjing Forestry University,Nanjing 210037,China%State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany,Institute of Botany,the Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100093,China; Global Biodiversity Information Facility,Copenhagen,Denmark; The University of Adelaide,Environment Institute,AdelaideSA,5005,Australia; Sino-Africa Joint Research Center,the Chinese Academy of Sciences,Wuhan 430074,China%Chengdu Institute of Biology,the Chinese Academy of Sciences,Chengdu 610041,China%State Herbarium of South Australia,Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium,Department for Environment and Water,AdelaideSA,5001,Australia
• Subjects: Angiospermae; Arid regions; Biodiversity; biodiversity conservation; categorical analysis of neo‐ and paleo‐endemism; China; Chinese angiosperm flora; Conservation; conservation priority; Endemism; Flora; indigenous species; Mountain regions; Mountains; Nature reserves; phylogenetic diversity; phylogenetic endemism; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; plant biology; Priorities; Semi arid areas; Semiarid zones; Spatial analysis; spatial phylogenetics; Wildlife conservation; China; categorical analysis of neo- and paleo-endemism; spatial phylogenetics; phylogenetic endemism; Chinese angiosperm flora; conservation priority; phylogenetic diversity; categorical analysis of neo-and paleo-endemism
• ISSN: 1672-9072; 1744-7909; 1744-7909
• DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13189

The flora of China is well known for its high diversity and endemism. Identifying centers of endemism and designating conservation priorities are essential goals for biodiversity studies. However, there is no comprehensive study from a rigorous phylogenetic perspective to understand patterns of diversity and endemism and to guide biodiversity conservation in China. We conducted a spatial phylogenetic analysis of the Chinese angiosperm flora at the generic level to identify centers of neo‐ and paleo‐endemism. Our results indicate that: (i) the majority of grid cells in China with significantly high phylogenetic endemism (PE) were located in the mountainous regions; (ii) four of the nine centers of endemism recognized, located in northern and western China, were recognized for the first time; (iii) arid and semiarid regions in Northwest China were commonly linked to significant PE, consistent with other spatial phylogenetic studies worldwide; and (iv) six high‐priority conservation gaps were detected by overlaying the boundaries of China's nature reserves on all significant PE cells. Overall, we conclude that the mountains of southern and northern China contain both paleo‐endemics (ancient relictual lineages) and neo‐endemics (recently diverged lineages). The areas we highlight as conservation priorities are important for broad‐scale planning, especially in the context of evolutionary history preservation. Identifying centers of endemism and designating conservation priorities are essential goals for biodiversity studies. A spatial phylogenetic analysis of Chinese angiosperms identified nine centers of endemism in mountainous regions; arid and semiarid regions in northwest China were linked to significant phylogenetic endemism. These areas are important conservation priorities.