Richness patterns of endemic and threatened conifers in south-west China: topographic-soil fertility explanation

Abstract

Understanding the relationships between species richness patterns and environment constitutes a key issue in biogeography and conservation strategies. To our knowledge, this is the first integrative study that incorporates soil and human-influence data into species richness modelling. Our aims were to (a) estimate the richness patterns of four conifers groups (all conifers species, endemics, threatened, and endemic-threatened species) in south-west China, (b) assess the relative importance of environmental predictors (energy, water, climate, topography, and soil) and the human-influence on the conifers richness patterns and (c) identify hotspot ecoregions, nature reserves, or important plant areas as priority conservation areas. Generalized linear models and hierarchical partitioning were used by correlating 8962 distributional records of 97 conifer species with different environmental drivers. Results indicated that central Sichuan, northern Sichuan, northern Yunnan, and the southern areas of the Hengduan mountains were identified as distinct centres of conifers richness in China. Topographic heterogeneity and soil fertility were the strongest drivers of conifer richness patterns, while climate, energy, water, and human drivers were contributed to a lower degree. The identified conifers’ important areas were mostly located outside of the existing nature reserves but inside the ecoregions. Our findings emphasize that incorporating soil data into spatial modelling provides great insights for the conservation of conifers species. We recommend conservationists to use soil variables and other environmental data to generate a comprehensive understanding of the key drivers underlying the patterns of conifer diversity and distribution.

Contrasting Gymnosperm Diversity Across an Elevation Gradient in the Ecoregion of China: The Role of Temperature and Productivity

“…In this study, AI was the least explained variable in Eco 20, 27, and 33 while it was the secondary variable in other regions (Table 1). This finding was also supported by Liu et al (2019); Panda et al (2017) and Dakhil et al (2021). AI used in this study was derived as a ratio of precipitation and PET.…”

An integrated high‐resolution mapping shows congruent biodiversity patterns of Fagales and Pinales

“…4). Shelter and cradle theory (López‐Pujol et al ., 2011; Hipp et al ., 2018; Sosa et al ., 2018; Sundaram et al ., 2019), climate and environment heterogeneity (Qian et al ., 2007; Noss et al ., 2015; Dakhil et al ., 2021; also see Notes S5; Table S10 for a primary analysis), and deep‐history tectonic events (Manos & Stanford, 2001; Svenning, 2003; Bouchal et al ., 2014; Xing et al ., 2014; Xing & Ree, 2017; Zheng et al ., 2018; Zhang et al ., 2021) have been proposed to explain the biodiversity hotspots and related patterns. However, due to the different evolutionary history of the two clades, further explorations are still needed to reveal the common or unique mechanisms behind these congruent patterns.…”

Issue Information

“…4). Shelter and cradle theory (L opez-Pujol et al, 2011;Hipp et al, 2018;Sosa et al, 2018;Sundaram et al, 2019), climate and environment heterogeneity (Qian et al, 2007;Noss et al, 2015;Dakhil et al, 2021; also see Notes S5; Table S10 for a primary analysis), and deep-history tectonic events (Manos & Stanford, 2001;Svenning, 2003;Bouchal et al, 2014;Xing et al, 2014;Xing & Ree, 2017;Zheng et al, 2018;Zhang et al, 2021) have been proposed to explain the biodiversity hotspots and related patterns. However, due to the different evolutionary history of the two clades, further explorations are still needed to reveal the common or unique mechanisms behind these congruent patterns.…”