Plant growth forms shaping biodiversity patterns can guide conservation planning on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Liu, F.; Liang, Z.; Xu, X.; Kuang, J.; Ye, J.; Li, J.; Yang, F.; Geng, Y.; Li, B.; Hu, J.

doi:10.64898/2026.05.31.729149

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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.05.31.729149

Plant growth forms shaping biodiversity patterns can guide conservation planning on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Liu, F.·Liang, Z.·Xu, X.·Kuang, J.·Ye, J.·Li, J.·Yang, F.·Geng, Y.·Li, B.·Hu, J.

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Abstract

Plant growth forms effectively reflect profound evolutionary adaptations that underpin ecosystem functioning; however, how their biogeographic disparities influence conservation prioritization remains poorly understood. We here integrate a comprehensive phylogeny with high-resolution distribution data for 14,468 vascular plant species across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, showing that growth-form identity decouples the spatial patterns of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity, with distinct forms exhibiting marked differences in geographic range sizes and elevational optima (2,200-3,300 m). Although herbs dominate plant assemblages across spatial scales, their proportional abundance decreases along a northwest-to-southeast aridity gradient, yielding to structurally complex, non-herbaceous forms in humid, species-rich regions. Consequently, priority conservation areas derived for individual growth forms exhibit low spatial similarity. Despite this divergence, we identify trees and climbers as highly effective umbrella growth forms: prioritizing these functional groups captures [≥]75% of the multidimensional diversity of all other growth forms within a minimal spatial footprint. Our findings demonstrate that accounting for growth-form-based functional identity is essential for maximizing conservation efficacy, providing a scalable framework for biodiversity hotspots worldwide.

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Liu, F., Liang, Z., Xu, X., Kuang, J., Ye, J., Li, J., Yang, F., Geng, Y., Li, B., Hu, J.. 2026-06-03. Plant growth forms shaping biodiversity patterns can guide conservation planning on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.05.31.729149

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