The contribution of hydric habitats to the richness of the Cape fynbos flora

Aim: The Cape Fold Belt Mountains, underlying the Cape fynbos flora, facilitate widespread moisture collection and groundwater availability across the region, with importance for maintaining hydric habitat niches. We assessed the contribution of hydric habitat associated species (HH species) to the richness of this flora, and how this varies phylogenetically and spatially.
Location: The Cape Floristic Region (CFR), South Africa.
Methods: We compiled data describing habitat preference, and distributions for 3114 species in 23 fynbos clades. We used published habitat descriptions to identify putative HH species and tested how hydric habitat association is structured phylogenetically using both Ornstein-Uhlenbeck models and measures of phylogenetic signal. We used species’ distribution data to identify regional hotspots of HH species and boosted regression trees to identify associated environmental drivers.
Results: Preference for hydric habitats is associated with nearly a fifth of the sp..., , , # Data supporting the study: \"The contribution of groundwater to the diversity of the Cape fynbos flora.\"

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.kprr4xhcw](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.kprr4xhcw)

**Provided files:**

1\) [Species_location_habitat_data.csv]

Our primary dataset consists of species location data paired with habitat preferences for 3114 species in 23 Cape fynbos clades. These data were used to quantify total species richness and hydric habitat associated species richness. The dataset contains columns, 'Genus' [e.g., 'Acmadenia'], 'Species' [e.g.,'patentifolia'], 'Decimal Latitude' [e.g., '-32.375'] , 'Decimal Longitude' [e.g., '19.375'], 'Clade' [e.g. 'Diosmeae'], 'Microhabitat' [e.g., 'marsh'...] and 'Hydric habitat associated' [e.g., 'Yes']

* Habitat preference data was primarily sourced from (Manning and Goldblatt 2012) and more recent taxonomic updates. See manuscript for full list of references.
* Species location data was sourced from (South African National Biodiversity...