亚洲常绿阔叶林在全球同类植被中分布最广、面积最大、物种也最丰富，探讨其在地质时期的演化过程对物种多样性保护及生态系统对全球气候变化的响应机制研究有着十分重要的意义。目前亚洲常绿阔叶林在早第三纪和第四纪的进化动态已有研究，但晚第三纪的进化过程仍然不清楚。本项目拟利用常绿阔叶林重要的附生种类——兰科石斛属植物为指示成分，在已有研究的基础上，选取近400种石斛属植物，利用10个叶绿体和核基因序列，重建其系统发育树；整合分化时间、生物地理和多样化等分析方法，阐明石斛属植物特别是亚洲分支的时空演化式样和环境制约；最后结合古地理、古气候等证据揭示亚洲常绿阔叶林在晚第三纪的进化动态。本项目的开展可为亚洲常绿阔叶林的生物多样性保护和可持续利用提供理论基础。

Evergreen broad-leaved forests (EBLFs) in Asia is characteristics of its widest distribution, largest area and richness species, and play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, and ecological response for climate changes. At present, the historical dynamics of EBLFs during early Tertiary and Quaternary have been studied. However, little is known about the dynamics of Asian EBLFs in late Tertiary. Dendrobium, an epiphytic orchid genus found in EBLFs, is used to gain new insights of the historical establishment and extension of EBLFs in mainland Asia. In this proposal, we will sample c. 400 the currently recognized species of Dendrobium, representing nearly all sections are from Asia. Combined phylogeny, molecular clock, biogeography, and diversification methods, we will use 10 chloroplast and nuclear genes to reconstruct the phylogeny of Dendrobium, and infer the temporal and spatial evolutionary processes, as well as associated environmental factors. Based on these results, we will explain the historical dynamics of EBLFs since the Oligocene and provide theory into the biodiversity conservation and sustainable development for EBLFs.