Geographic patterns of taxonomic and phylogenetic β-diversity of aquatic angiosperms in China.

China covers a vast territory harbouring a large number of aquatic plants. Although there are many studies on the β-diversity of total, herbaceous or woody plants in China and elsewhere, few studies have focused on aquatic plants. Here, we analyse a comprehensive data set of 889 aquatic angiosperm species in China, and explore the geographic patterns and climatic correlates of total taxonomic and phylogenetic β-diversity as well as their turnover and nestedness components.