Geographic patterns of endemic seed plant genera diversity in China

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1003.2011.10289

Abstract

Abstract:

Endemism describes the phenomenon that the distribution of individual species/taxa is critically restricted to a specific region. Seed plant genera endemic to China (endemic genera) are those with their main geographic distribution range within the borders of China. The geographic patterns of endemic genera can not only guide conservation planning, but these organisms are also important biological resources. We gathered data of 173 localities on environmental and spatial factors, and regional seed plant genera richness (GRN), endemic genera richness (EGRN) and endemic genera ratio (EGR), which was calculated by dividing EGRN by GRN. Multiple regression and variance partitioning were used to examine how environmental and spatial variables affect GRN, EGRN, and EGR. Our results showed that: (1) EGRN and EGR had stronger spatial variability than GRN, with highest values (richness and ratio) in central China and lower near national borders and continental edges. GRN exhibited an evident latitudinal gradient. (2) EGRN and EGR were mainly determined by habitat heterogeneity and spatial factors. Regional theoretical EGR was constrained by its geographical location, and was further adjusted by habitat heterogeneity (topographical complexity) and climatic factors. Geographical patterns of GRN, on the other hand, were mainly determined by climatic conditions and habitat heterogeneity rather than spatial factors. (3) Seed plant genera endemic to China could be rather difficult to define, and probably reflected inadequate information on phylogenetic evolution of local flora. Further studies are needed to examine the variance explained by spatial factors through a phylogenetic lense. Finally, flaws in the definition and classification of seed plant genera endemic to China were discussed. Theoretically, genera endemic to China should not be defined according to the political borders. But, in practice, nearly all the lists of seed plant genera endemic to China proposed by several authors were based on the relationship between the geographic distribution of specific genus and national borders. Thus, we recommend that, the concept of seed plant genera endemic to China should be used carefully in both theoretical research and biodiversity conservation practices.

Key words: seed plant, endemic genera, habitat heterogeneity, climatic factor, spatial factor, spatial pattern

Shengbin Chen, Zhiyun Ouyang, Yu Fang, Zhenji Li. Geographic patterns of endemic seed plant genera diversity in China[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2011, 19(4): 414-423.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.3724/SP.J.1003.2011.10289

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2011/V19/I4/414

Figures/Tables 7

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	属丰富度 GRN	特有属丰富度 EGRN
特有属丰富度 EGRN	0.703*
特有属比例 EGR	0.311*	0.852*

	属丰富度 GRN	特有属丰富度 EGRN
特有属丰富度 EGRN	0.703*
特有属比例 EGR	0.311*	0.852*

自变量 Independent variables	属丰富度 GRN		特有属丰富度 EGRN		特有属比例 EGR
自变量 Independent variables	一次 Linear	二次 Quadratic	一次 Linear	二次 Quadratic	一次 Linear	二次 Quadratic
面积 AREA (–)	0.051*		0 0.008		0.005
海拔幅度 REL (+)	0.004	0.050*	0.067*	0.084*	0.106*	0.102*
年均温 TEM (+)	0.304*	0.304*	0.100*	0.192*	0.001	0.130*
最冷月均温 TCM (+)	0.377*	0.376*	0.189*	0.353*	0.010	0.220*
年降雨量 PRE (+)	0.389*	0.506*	0.148*	0.308*	0.001	0.144*
最干月降雨量 PDM (+)	0.210*	0.282*	0.108*	0.115*	0.005	0.006
潜在蒸散 PET (+)	0.342*	0.380*	0.075*	0.214*	0.002	0.126*
实际蒸散 AET (+)	0.465*	0.520*	0.198*	0.309*	0.008	0.116*

自变量 Independent variables	属丰富度 GRN		特有属丰富度 EGRN		特有属比例 EGR
自变量 Independent variables	一次 Linear	二次 Quadratic	一次 Linear	二次 Quadratic	一次 Linear	二次 Quadratic
面积 AREA (–)	0.051*		0 0.008		0.005
海拔幅度 REL (+)	0.004	0.050*	0.067*	0.084*	0.106*	0.102*
年均温 TEM (+)	0.304*	0.304*	0.100*	0.192*	0.001	0.130*
最冷月均温 TCM (+)	0.377*	0.376*	0.189*	0.353*	0.010	0.220*
年降雨量 PRE (+)	0.389*	0.506*	0.148*	0.308*	0.001	0.144*
最干月降雨量 PDM (+)	0.210*	0.282*	0.108*	0.115*	0.005	0.006
潜在蒸散 PET (+)	0.342*	0.380*	0.075*	0.214*	0.002	0.126*
实际蒸散 AET (+)	0.465*	0.520*	0.198*	0.309*	0.008	0.116*

模型 Model	自变量 Independent variables	R² (%)	AIC	P
属丰富度(GRN)
生境异质性模型 Heterogeneity model	AREA, REL, REL²	9.1	178	< 0.001
气候模型 Climatic model	PRE, PRE², PDM, PDM², PET, TCM, TEM²	57.4	52	< 0.001
空间模型 Spatial model	X, XY, Y², X³, X²Y, XY²	46.6	96	< 0.001
综合模型 Integrative model	AREA, REL², PRE, PRE², PET, X, XY, XY²	66.7	35	< 0.001
特有属丰富(EGRN)
生境异质性模型 Heterogeneity model	AREA, REL, REL²	11.9	430	< 0.001
气候模型 Climatic model	TEM, TEM², TCM, PRE, PRE², PDM, PDM², PET, AET	60.1	305	< 0.001
空间模型 Spatial model	X, Y, XY, Y², X³, X²Y, XY², Y³	58.0	306	< 0.001
综合模型 Integrative model	AREA, REL², PRE, PRE², X, Y, Y², X²Y, XY²	73.9	240	< 0.001
特有属比例(EGR)
生境异质性模型 Heterogeneity model	AREA, REL, REL²	12.2	578	< 0.001
气候模型 Climatic model	TEM, TEM², TCM, PET, PRE, PRE²	49.1	490	< 0.001
空间模型 Spatial model	X, Y, X², XY, Y², X²Y, XY², Y³	53.5	471	< 0.001
综合模型 Integrative model	REL, REL², TEM, TCM, PET, Y, X², XY, X²Y, XY², Y³	62.2	229	< 0.001