Modern precipitation most associated with mammal diversity in arid and semi-arid regions of China

Abstract Mammals are crucial for maintaining ecosystems functions and services. However, mammal diversity issues have become increasingly critical in arid and semi-arid regions due to the fragile environment and frequent human activities in recent decades. Currently, few studies have assessed the diversity and community structure of mammal assemblages in arid and semi-arid regions of China, especially from the dimension of phylogenetic and functional diversity. In this study, for the first time, taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity, as well as phylogenetic and functional structure of mammal assemblages in arid and semi-arid regions of China were linked to modern climate, altitudinal range, glacial-interglacial climate change, and plant species richness. A total of 264 mammal species (44% of all China’s mammal species) were found in arid and semi-arid regions of China. The phylogenetic and functional diversity of these species are 55% and 85% of all Chinese mammal species, respectively. The two variables most associated with mammals’ taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity were altitudinal range and plant species richness, mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation, mean annual precipitation and plant species richness, respectively. In addition, the two variables most associated with phylogenetic and functional structure were mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature, and altitudinal range and mean annual precipitation, respectively. These findings suggest that future climate change (drying and/or warming) will have complex influence on mammal diversity in this fragile region. In addition, human-initiated afforestation may relieve the adverse effects of future climate on mammals by increasing plant richness and changing habitat structure.