Effects of climate change on alpine plant diversity and traditional people in the Hengduan Mountains, China

We assessed species diversity and composition across precipitation and elevation gradients within the Hengduan Mountains, NW Yunnan Province, China. We also investigated biogeographic effects of the great river gorges (especially the Mekong (Lansang) River valley) on species distributions. The highest plant diversity and richness in the eastern Himalayas is found in Alpine environments. Furthermore, locally useful plants (e.g., Tibetan medicines) are most abundant in Alpine meadows. Thus, climate change that threatens alpine plants impacts both Himalayan biological and cultural diversity. Our data indicate that precipitation drives changes in species composition from SW to NE. We also found a variable effect of the river valley on high nival species versus lower alpine species. Working in collaboration with local scientists and Tibetan doctors, integrating this data with traditional land management practices will enhance the effectiveness of conservation and climate change mitigation strategies to preserve both the native biological and cultural diversity.