An Overview of China’s Vegetation and Plant Diversity

China’s complex climate and geological condition have enriched species and created a diversified spatial distribution pattern of biodiversity, making China one of the countries of the most abundant of species and special types of vegetation in the world. Seven vegetation type groups are recorded by Vegetation of China (Editorial Board of Vegetation of China, Vegetation of China (Science Press, Beijing, 1980)): forests, shrubs, deserts, grasslands, meadows, alpine vegetation, and swamp or aquatic vegetation. The main characteristics of Chinese vegetation are (1) a complete range of categories, including various types of forests, steppes, deserts, and marshes; (2) vast areas of subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest owing to the influence of the monsoon climate; and (3) unique plateau vegetation on the Qingzang Plateau and the unique altitudinal spectra of numerous mountains. The complexity of China’s vegetation types is not only a manifestation of China’s complex biodiversity but also is the basis for the evolution of diverse plant species, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. China has 36,152 species of higher plants, 9% of the world flora. Two national floras completed in early of this century Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (1959–2004) and Flora of China (1994–2013) are the key breakthroughs in understanding and mastering China plant diversity. Catalogue of Life China (CoL-China) (2008–) is designed to update the species information in the above floras with latest taxonomic literatures, to meet timely the needs of biodiversity conservation. These three works are recognized as the primary reference book for the study of China plant diversity. Hundreds of new species are described every year and added to the annual checklist of CoL-China. It is essential to complete inventory of Chinese plants, since it’s impossible to conserve the undiscovered species.