Phylogenetic and Biogeographic Perspectives on the East Asian Origin of Temperate Flora

The study of plant biodiversity in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in East Asia, is crucial due to its remarkable species diversity. East Asia's complex topography and climatic history make it a pivotal center of plant diversity, yet the mechanisms behind this diversity remain not fully understood. The field of plant biogeography and phylogenetics provides insights into how regions like East Asia have historically influenced plant evolution and migration patterns. Current research focuses on reconstructing phylogenies, analyzing molecular divergence times, and examining fossil records to understand the movement and diversification of plant lineages that compose today’s temperate biomes. Recently, studies highlight the significant impact of historical climatic changes and geological occurrences, such as the uplift of the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, on plant species distribution and diversification. Despite progress, a comprehensive understanding of East Asia's role in these evolutionary processes calls for further exploration.

This Research Topic aims to delve into phylogenetic and biogeographic perspectives on the East Asian origin of temperate flora, examining biogeographical patterns with a particular focus on East Asia's role as a source or sink of biodiversity. Specifically, it invites studies to reconstruct phylogenies of key plant clades with temperate or subtropical distributions, analyze molecular divergence times to trace migration events into Europe and North America, and examine fossil-calibrated biogeographic histories. Additionally, comparisons of lineage diversification rates between East Asia and other temperate regions will help identify unique evolutionary pathways. Moreover, this topic investigates how landscape and climate alterations, such as mountain uplift, monsoon evolution, and Quaternary climate cycles, have driven regional diversification.

To gather deeper insights into this expansive research framework, articles are welcomed on, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Reconstruction of phylogenies for temperate and subtropical plant clades

• Molecular analyses to track plant lineage migration routes

• Biogeographic histories informed by fossil records

• Comparative studies of lineage diversification rates across temperate regions

• Impacts of geological and climatic events on regional plant diversification

A variety of article types are invited for submission, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of East Asia's vital role in the evolution of temperate flora worldwide.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: East Asia, Phylogenetics, Biogeography

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.