Endemism in the West Gulf Coastal Plain: importance of xeric habitats

摘要

We studied the relationship between West Gulf Coastal Plain plant endemics and habitat. Approximately half of all West Gulf Coastal Plain endemics are associates of one habitat: xeric sandylands. We discuss some implications of these data to age andformer extent of xeric sandylands in the region, notably isolation of the West Gulf Coastal Plain from the East Gulf Coastal Plain and a long and distinctive biotic history.