An ecological perspective on Joseph Rock's (1884 – 1962) plant collection activities in China

Abstract In the early 20th century, numerous western botanists, often referred to as ‘plant hunters’, embarked on ambitious expeditions to China, playing a crucial role in the study of botany and botanical diversity. Despite their contributions, comprehensive assessments of their explorations are lacking. To bridge this gap, this article focuses on the work of Joseph Charles Francis Rock, a notable figure in that era. Our work revisits Rock’s botanical expeditions within the broader context of botanical diversity conservation. It outlines his historical experiences in collecting plants in China and enumerates the species composition and phenotypic traits of the plants he collected. Additionally, it also analyzes the spatial distribution of the species, the completeness of his collection and the α- and β-diversity of the plants he collected. Our findings reveal that Rock led four major botanical expeditions in China between 1922 and 1933, amassing a total of 28 184 sheets and 16 608 numbers across 204 families, 1081 genera and 4231 species. His focus was predominantly on ornamental species, which exhibit a variety of flower colors and inflorescences. His collection work spanned 5 provinces, 35 cities and 72 counties, with a notable concentration in the Hengduan Mountains, a current biodiversity hotspot. This study not only reconstructs Rock’s botanical legacy but also offers valuable historical data and fresh analytical insights for understanding contemporary plant diversity. It contributes to the ongoing discourse on the importance of preserving plant diversity as a cornerstone of environmental sustainability.