Hotspots within a hotspot: Evolutionary measures unveil interesting biogeogeographic patterns for the conservation of the coastal forest in Chile

Aim: Given the continuous loss of biodiversity, there is an urgent need to study its patterns to generate conservation measures. Complementing the traditional patterns with indices that incorporate evolutionary aspects such as phylogenetic diversity or phylogenetic endemism (PD and PE) allows us to infer possible historical processes that could explain the conformation of current biodiversity. Coastal forests in Chile are part of a biodiversity hotspot of high endemism that is under threat. In this study, patterns of richness and endemism were determined and contrasted with the evolutionary indices PD, PE, PDres (residual PD), RPD (relative PD), and RPE (relative PE) to infer historical processes that could have shaped the current diversity patterns. We also compared these indices at different taxonomic levels.
Location: Thirteen sites on a latitudinal gradient between 30°S and 40°S that are part of the Chilean Coastal mountain range.
Taxon: Woody flora at the species level.
Methods: DN...