Climatic stability and geological history shape global centers of neo- and paleoendemism in seed plants

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300981120
• Publication Date: 2023-07-17T19:12:34Z
• Authors: Lirong Cai; Holger Kreft; Amanda Taylor; Julian Schrader; Wayne Dawson; Franz Essl; Mark van Kleunen; Jan Pergl; Petr Pyšek; Marten Winter; Patrick Weigelt
• Keywords: Endemism

Assessing the distribution of geographically restricted and evolutionarily unique species their underlying drivers is key to understanding biogeographical processes critical for global conservation prioritization. Here, we quantified geographic phylogenetic endemism ~320,000 seed plants worldwide identified centers young (neoendemism) old (paleoendemism). Tropical subtropical islands as well tropical mountain regions displayed world's highest endemism. Most rainforest emerged paleoendemism, while most Mediterranean-climate showed high neoendemism. Centers where neo- paleoendemism coincide on some oceanic continental fragment islands, in parts Irano-Turanian floristic region. Global variation was explained by a combination past present environmental factors (79.8 87.7% variance explained) strongly related heterogeneity. Also, warm wet climates, isolation, long-term climatic stability Neo- were jointly geological history. Long-term promoted persistence paleoendemics, isolation histories Mountainous both reflecting diversification over time. Our study provides insights into evolutionary underpinnings patterns identifies areas Earth with uniqueness-key information setting priorities.