Spatial patterns of genus‐level phylogenetic endemism in the tree flora of Mediterranean Europe

Aim The Mediterranean Basin is a major hotspot of plant biodiversity, including forest trees. Over the past centuries, forests have been fragmented and over-exploited, to which threats climate change are now added. Our aim better understand patterns processes tree biodiversity in provide indicators complementing traditional approaches conservation based on species counts occurrences, using georeferenced phylogenetic diversity endemism analyses spatial ecological context. Location Europe. Methods Using dated phylogeny 64 Euro-Mediterranean genera, we calculated for all 50 × km2 grid cells spanning Europe (n = 643) compared values with those obtained genus-level taxonomic diversity. Then, tested relative influence geography, present climate, soil (phylogenetic or taxonomic) its geographical turnover. Geographical were inferred Categorical Analyses Neo- Paleo-Endemism (CANAPE) methodology. Results We showed that within among correlated influenced by parameters as well current, Holocene Late Glacial Maximum climate. Southern Spain, Cyprus some Aegean islands contained areas disproportionately high concentration paleo-endemics, while neo-endemism was eastern Sicily. Mixed regions detected southern Spain Portugal, Balkans Crete. Main conclusions approach provides relevant protecting Mediterranean, encompassing evolutionary factors. consider show history manifested priority targets European flora.