Taxonomic endemism and phylogenetic endemism are both important measures of biodiversity. The former describes the number of distinct species found nowhere else, whereas the latter shows the amount of evolutionary branch length unique to a particular area. A comprehensive phylogeny provides the essential evolutionary framework for delineating centers of paleo- and neo-endemism across both measures.
Historically, global biodiversity hotspots are defined by exceptional taxonomic endemism among plants, accompanied by severe habitat loss: regions must host at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species and retain less than 30% of their original natural vegetation. To date, 36 such hotspots have been recognized worldwide.
Recently, a research team led by Prof. LU Limin and Prof. CHEN Zhiduan from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with collaborators from Australia and the United Kingdom, identified a new global biodiversity hotspot in Central China, based on traditional measures of taxonomic endemism.
At the same time, the researchers also examined patterns of phylogenetic endemism across China—offering new insights for optimizing biodiversity conservation and supporting implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The study was published in Nature Ecology & Evolution.
The researchers first reconstructed the most comprehensive dated phylogeny of China's vascular plants, encompassing 3,029 genera (99%) and 16,585 species (53%) native to the country. By integrating over 1.4 million distribution records with this phylogeny, they revealed a mismatch between taxonomic and phylogenetic endemism centers.
The researchers showed that taxonomic endemism centers are concentrated in southwest China's Hengduan Mountains, in Central China, and in the Yunnan–Guizhou–Guangxi boundary region. In contrast, phylogenetic endemism centers extend further into northern China, including the Tianshan–Altai Mountains and the Changbai Mountains.
Notably, the researchers identified Central China, an area of approximately 1.54 million km2, as an important area for global biodiversity. They noted that this region supports over 14,000 vascular plant species and also serves as a key center for insect and vertebrate diversity. Despite retaining only about 7% of its original vegetation, it harbors at least 2,024 endemic vascular plant species, meeting the criteria for global biodiversity hotspot designation.
All in all, Central China's subtropical evergreen, broad-leaved forests represent a unique confluence of ancient relict lineages (plants that were once widespread but are now found in only a few regions) and recent rapid radiations (many new species have emerged over a relatively short period).
Based on these data, the researchers proposed formally designating Central China as a global biodiversity hotspot—to safeguard its diversity and irreplaceable evolutionary heritage from accelerating anthropogenic threats.
By focusing on both taxonomic and phylogenetic endemism, these findings provide a blueprint for future conservation planning, ensuring that protected area networks capture both species richness and deep evolutionary history. If recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, Central China would become China's fifth such hotspot, thus strengthening its role in global conservation efforts and attracting increased international support.
