Chinese Journal of Nature ›› 2023, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (6): 399-409.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-9608.2023.06.001

• Invited Special Paper •     Next Articles

Angiosperm diversity and conservation progress in China

ZHAO Yujie①②③, ZHAO Lina①②, HU Haihua①②, PENG Danxiao①②, CHEN Zhiduan①②, LU Limin①②   

  1. ① Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; ② China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China; ③ University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  • Received:2023-08-15 Online:2023-12-25 Published:2023-12-21

Abstract: Due to the impact of climate change and human activities, China’s biodiversity is under serious threat, which requires urgent conservation actions. According to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the “3030 Target” calls for at least 30% of the world’s land and oceans to be protected by 2030. Although the current protected areas in China have covered ca. 18% of its land area, large conservation gaps remain to achieve the 30% target. It is therefore urgent to identify more conservation priorities. Researchers identified southwest China as the diversity hotspot of flowering plants based on numerous diversity indices, such as those incorporating richness, endemism, vulnerability, and evolutionary history. Furthermore, unique conservation gaps is identified using the categorical analysis of neo- and paleo-endemism (CANAPE), integrative richness-based index (Irich), and integrative phylogenybased index (Iphyl). These progresses provide solid scientific support for improving China’s nature reserve system.