Changes in organismic diversification rates with regard to the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and associated climate and vegetation changes

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We aim at comparing temporal shifts in diversification rates across various organismic groups (plants, birds, oomycetes and stream insects) with regard to major geological, climatic and palaeo-vegetation changes in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) region, one of the earth's most significant topographic features. By focusing on the evolution of organisms from the Palaeogene up to the Pleistocene, we want to address the following questions: (1) Do changes in diversification rates of various taxonomic groups temporally coincide with major geological/tectonic or climatic events in the QTP region? (2) Are diversification rates higher for taxonomic groups occurring in the QTP region than in other high elevation areas of the world? Is the QTP biodiversity hotspot a result of increased diversification rates of its biotas? (3) Did major changes in palaeo-vegetation in the QTP region influence diversification rates of some, but not all of the study groups (e.g. birds)?