Global patterns of plant diversity and floristic knowledge

摘要: Aims  We present the first global map of vascular plant species richness by ecoregion and compare these results with published literature on priorities for conservation. In so doing, we assess state floristic knowledge across ecoregions as described in floras, checklists, other documents pinpoint geographical gaps our understanding flora. Finally, explore relationships between flora, human footprint – a spatially explicit measure loss degradation natural habitats ecosystems result activities. Location  Global. Methods  Richness estimates 867 terrestrial world were derived from data c. 1800 units. applied one four methods to richness, depending quality. These included collation interpretation data, use species–area curves extrapolate taxon-based within same biome. Results  The highest estimate is Borneo lowlands (10,000 species) followed nine located Central South America ≥ 8000 species; all are found Tropical Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests biome. Among 51 ≥ 5000 species, only five temperate regions. For 43% ecoregions, quality was considered good or moderate. biomes, adequate especially lacking flooded grasslands savannas. significant correlation few and, cases, indicated that species-rich better studied than those poor plants. Similarly, biomes did find correlations footprint, which positive. Main conclusions  work presented here sets stage comparisons degree concordance endemism vertebrate richness: important analyses comprehensive biodiversity strategy. suggest: (1) current conservation strategies be reviewed check if they cover most outstanding examples regions each world's major even species-poor compared biomes; (2) savannas should become priority collecting compiling plants; (3) future studies rely upon calculations do not uniform parameter value but instead values separately subregions.