Hotspots and conservation gaps: A case study of key higher plant species from Northwest Yunnan, China

Abstract

Northwest Yunnan is rich in flora and is home to many key higher plant species with endemic and endangered attributes. However, there are still some species and biodiversity hotspots that are not included in the established reserve system. As such, the area is riddled with conservation gaps. Thus, we have adopted hotspot identification and gap analysis methodology in order to reasonably allocate resources for conservation of the key higher plant species in Northwest Yunnan. To begin, we comprehensively considered seven attributes to select 114 key species. Next, we obtained and superimposed the longitude and latitude coordinates of each species’ location on a grid map with a 0.05° × 0.05° resolution. The ArcGIS10.2 software and R language were used to analyze species distribution; meanwhile hotspot identification and gap analysis were also performed in ArcGIS10.2. The results showed that: 1) there were 114 key higher plant species in Northwest Yunnan, which belong to 37 families and 68 genera; 2) the species distribution in Northwest Yunnan showed significant clustering and positive spatial correlation (Z = 2.90; P < 0.05), with the distribution relatively concentrated in Shangri-la and Gongshan counties; 3) approximately 60% of the hotspots were located in Gongshan, Deqin, and Shangri-la counties in the North; 4) the total priority conservation area was 5615 km2, ~20.30% of which have been designated as nature reserves; and 5) a total of 13 conservation gaps were identified and put forward with targeted suggestions for expanding the conservation areas and building ecological corridors. The results of our study identified the priority conservation areas of key higher plant species in Northwest Yunnan, which aids in optimizing the existing conservation network system.