At first glance, windswept mountain peaks look barren—but beneath the snowfields lies a hidden factory of plant life. A new study published this year by scientists at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences maps how a million years of tectonic uplift and climate cooling have shaped alpine plant diversity across five major mountain chains in the Northern Hemisphere.
Uplift Meets Cooling: A Dynamic Duo
Combining evolutionary biology, geological records and paleoclimate data, researchers reconstructed the spread and diversification of 8,456 flowering plant species across 34 groups. Their findings reveal two intertwined forces have driven alpine biodiversity: tectonic uplift creating new high-altitude habitats, and global cooling expanding cold climates that connected once-isolated ranges.
Different Mountains, Different Paths
In the Tibeto-Himalayan-Hengduan (THH) region, more than half of new species emerged from local diversification, earning its title as an evolutionary "cradle." European and Irano-Turanian alpine floras, by contrast, evolved from mid- to low-elevation ancestors adapting to colder heights. The Tianshan Mountains largely "imported" species from the THH region, showcasing a global network of alpine migration.
Insights for Today's Biodiversity
"We linked plant evolution with Earth's geological and climate history," says Xing Yaowu, co-corresponding author from XTBG. "This framework explains why mountain regions support so many unique plant lineages." Ding Wenna, first author of the study, adds, "Active uplift consistently accelerates speciation—showing why communities differ so much across mountain ranges today."
This research provides crucial evidence for understanding global biodiversity patterns, highlighting mountains not just as refuges but as dynamic engines of evolution. For entrepreneurs in green tech, activists fighting climate change, and travelers seeking immersive nature, these insights underscore the interconnectedness of geology, climate and life.
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Alpine plants biodiversity study shows how life always finds a way
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