Open AccessBiogeographical regions and phytogeography of the eucalypts
Author(s) -
GonzálezOrozco Carlos E.,
Thornhill Andrew H.,
Knerr Nunzio,
Laffan Shawn,
Miller Joseph T.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
diversity and distributions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.918
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1472-4642
pISSN - 1366-9516
DOI - 10.1111/ddi.12129
Subject(s) - species richness , ordination , endemism , phytogeography , ecology , multidimensional scaling , geography , beta diversity , biogeography , macroecology , lichen , global biodiversity , subtropics , biodiversity , biology , taxon , statistics , mathematics
Aim To map spatial patterns of species richness, species endemism and species turnover of the eucalypts; to propose a biogeographical regionalization of eucalypts based on species turnover; and to identify the environmental correlates of these patterns. Location Australia and M alesia. Methods We analysed 798 eucalypt species ( A ngophora, C orymbia and E ucalyptus ) with distributions across A ustralia and M alesia using square cells with a resolution of 100 × 100 km. Species richness, endemism and species turnover were calculated. Phytogeographical regions were identified using an agglomerative cluster analysis derived from a matrix of pairwise S impson's beta (β sim ) dissimilarity values. Eleven environmental variables were used to analyse the environmental correlates of species turnover. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling ( NMDS ) of the β sim , G etis‐ O rd G i* hotspot spatial statistics and an ordination of the β sim ‐ NMDS were used to investigate the environmental drivers at the continental level and for each of the phytogeographical regions. Results We identified three centres of species richness and fourteen of endemism, of which several are newly identified. The main centres of species richness agree with previous studies. Six major eucalypt phytogeographical regions are proposed based on the species turnover: monsoon, tropical/subtropical, south‐east, south‐west, E remaean north and E remaean south. These findings are supported by significant environmental differences of the NMDS vectors and the G i* statistics. The environmental drivers of species turnover are broadly consistent with the continental patterns of summer and winter rainfall below and above the T ropic of C apricorn. Main conclusions The proposed phytogeographical regions are similar to the A ustralian biomes. Climate is the main driver of the phytogeographical regions, varying from region to region. Comprehensive bioregionalization frameworks and phytogeography updates, as proposed here, are fundamental for enhancing our understanding of the spatial distribution of biodiversity and therefore benefit global biogeography and help planners to identify regions of high conservation relevance.