A dataset on inventory and geographical distributions of halophytes of China

Halophytes, as a unique group of plants adapted to saline-alkaline environments, play a crucial role in ecological conservation, saline-alkaline land management, and sustainable resource utilization. However, compared to their significance, the systematic inventory of halophytes in China has lagged behind. Existing data primarily come from regional studies or scattered literature records, lacking systematicity and comprehensiveness. This study, based on the foundational data from Halophytes of China (first and second editions) and the global halophyte database (eHaloph), integrates years of field investigations and systematically reviews and supplements the existing inventory data (adding new taxa and new records), improving global distribution information. It also systematically organizes ecological and functional data such as habitat, life form, height, morphology, halophyte type, ecological type, maximum salinity, photosynthetic pathway, and utilization value. Ultimately, we have compiled a dataset on the new inventory and geographical distributions of Chinese halophytes. Up to 2024, this dataset includes 102 families, 538 genera, 1,581 species (including 31 subspecies and 37 varieties) from China. With the advancement of agricultural development and ecological restoration efforts, some exotic halophytes have gradually become naturalized and integrated into China’s halophyte communities. Compared to the of Halophytes of China, 2nd edn, this dataset includes an additional 31 families, 310 genera, 1,026 species (including 22 subspecies and 14 varieties). The establishment of this dataset provides important support for in-depth research on the diversity, ecological functions, and application potential of Chinese halophytes, and also provides a scientific basis for policy-making in saline-alkaline land management and biodiversity conservation.