Spatial Pattern of Species Richness among Terrestrial Mammals in China

We describe large-scale patterns of terrestrial mammal distribution in China by using geographical information system (GIS) spatial analysis. Mammal taxa, examined by species, family, and order, were binned into 10 km x 10 km grids to explore the relationship between their spatial distribution and geographical factors potentially affecting the same. The spatial pattern of species richness revealed four agglomerations: high richness in the south, low in north, and two low richness areas in eastern and western China. Species richness patterns in Carnivora was the most similar to overall terrestrial mammals' richness; however, species richness in different orders exhibited distributions distinct from the overall pattern. We found a negative relationship between richness and latitude gradient. Species richness was most strongly correlated with forested ecosystems, and was found to be higher at an elevation of 2000 similar to 2200 m, with greater altitudinal variation indicative of higher species richness.