[Chinese materia medica resource biodiversity in Guangxi based on the fourth national survey of Chinese materia medica resources].

On the basis of the data from the fourth national survey of Chinese materia medica resources and thematic investigations in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, this study systematically classifies the Chinese materia medica resources in Guangxi by integrating modern taxonomic systems(e.g., APG Ⅳ) with GIS technology, utilizing analytical tools such as Origin 2022, R language, and PAST 4.17. It comprehensively elucidated the family/genus-level composition, geographical distribution, spatiotemporal variations, and conservation status and evaluated the biodiversity of medicinal plant resources. Key findings are summarized as follows. The resource inventory identified a total of 7 542 Chinese materia medica species in Guangxi, which included 6 354 medicinal plant species, 1 021 medicinal animal species, 118 medicinal fungal species, and 49 medicinal minerals. The medicinal plants were dominated by 11 families(e.g., Asteraceae and Fabaceae) and core genera(e.g., Ficus and Rubus). Distribution hotspots were concentrated in northwestern, northern, and central Guangxi, with regional heterogeneity driven by Karst landforms and mountainous habitats. A total of 429 species of rare and endangered medicinal plants belonging to 212 genera of 88 families were identified. Compared with the third national survey, the fourth national survey identified 2 858 new medicinal plant species, 512 new medicinal animal species, and 33 new medicinal fungal species. A systematic analysis was conducted to elucidate the driving forces behind the dynamic changes in medicinal plant resources across Guangxi. This pioneering survey systematically documents the baseline status and biodiversity dynamics of medicinal plant resources in Guangxi, establishing a data foundation for the conservation and sustainable utilization of these resources and the high-quality development of the TCM industry in Guangxi.