Topographic Heterogeneity Outweighs Climate in Shaping Artemisia L. Species Richness and Endemism in the Hengduan Mountains, Southwest China

TL;DR

This study finds that topography, not climate, is the main driver of Artemisia species diversity and endemism in the Hengduan Mountains of China.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that topographic heterogeneity, particularly elevation range and surface roughness, is more influential than climate in shaping Artemisia diversity.

Findings

Artemisia species richness and endemism hotspots are found in regions like the Minshan Mountains and Mount Gongga.

Topographic factors like elevation range and surface roughness are strong predictors of Artemisia diversity patterns.

Complex terrain supports higher species richness and endemism compared to climatic factors.

Abstract

Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) is an important ecological pioneer genus and a widely used medicinal plant group. The Hengduan Mountains (HDMs), one of the most topographically complex regions in the world, support a high diversity of Artemisia species. Understanding the diversity patterns of Artemisia species in this region is essential for conserving plant resources and promoting their sustainable use. In this study, we identified the hotspots of Artemisia species richness and weighted endemism in the HDMs and examined how these patterns relate to topographic heterogeneity. We confirmed the distribution of 114 Artemisia species across the Hengduan Mountains. Our results show clear spatial variation in Artemisia species diversity. Distinct hotspots were found in areas such as the Minshan Mountains, Daba Mountains, Dadu River Valley, Daxue Mountains, and Mount Gongga. The top 5% richest grid cells showed high species richness and endemism, highlighting the ecological and conservation value of these regions. Environmental analysis indicates that topographic heterogeneity, especially elevation range and surface roughness, effectively predicts diversity patterns of Artemisia species. Regions with more complex terrain tend to support higher species richness and endemism. These findings underscore the key role of topography in shaping Artemisia species diversity in mountainous areas and provide a scientific basis for future ecological research and conservation planning.

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