Divergent species diversity of pine forests driven by contemporary environment and geological uplift

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Geological uplift and historical climate shape contemporary biodiversity, yet it remains unclear how they dominate species diversity patterns in plant communities. Pine forests, one of cornerstones for carbon sequestration and biodiversity harbor in mountains, are often overlooked due to their simple community structure. Pinus yunnanensis forest (PYF) and P. kesiya var. langbianensis forest (PKF) are diverged from a putative common ancestor following the Himalayan-Tibetan uplift. We examined their taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity resulting from paleoclimate, contemporary environments and disturbance, and proposed conservation strategies. PKF demonstrates higher taxonomic diversity (TD), phylogenetic diversity (PD), and evenness than PYF. Community assembly in PYF is mainly driven by environmental filtering, while in PKF by competitive exclusion. The β diversity in both forests is dominated by the turnover component, higher in PYF than in PKF. PYF’s β diversity responds to anomaly annual precipitation (Anomaly.AP) and mean annual temperature, whereas PKF’s is associated with precipitation seasonality and annual potential evapotranspiration. Human footprint significantly affects both forests in ecological processes, while the effect of Anomaly.AP on phylogenetic components is imprinted in evolutionary processes. PKF exhibits higher TD and PD but lower taxonomic and phylogenetic β diversity than PYF, consistent with PYF experiencing more intense historical climate fluctuations during passive uplift. Differences in historical climate stability and environmental heterogeneity driven by ancient orogenic processes persistently influence contemporary species diversity patterns and community differentiation. Priority areas for pine forest conservation should harbor unique species compositions and biodiversity reservoirs, and enhance habitat connectivity.