The Convention on Biological Diversity ( CBD ) aims at the conservation of all three levels of biodiversity, that is, ecosystems, species and genes. Genetic diversity represents evolutionary potential and is important for ecosystem functioning. Unfortunately, genetic diversity in natural populations is hardly considered in conservation strategies because it is difficult to measure and has been hypothesised to co‐vary with spec...

Aim To test the influence of various species traits, elevation and phylogeographical history on the genetic diversity of high‐mountain plants in the Alps and Carpathians. Location The regular sampling grid comprised the whole range of the European Alps and the Carpathians. Methods Twenty‐two high‐mountain plant species were exhaustively sampled and their genetic diversity was assessed with amplified fragment length polymorphis...

Aim To test predictions of different large‐scale biodiversity hypotheses by analysing species richness patterns of vascular plants in the Austrian Alps. Location The Austrian part of the Alps ( c. 53,500 km 2 ). Methods Within the floristic inventory of Central Europe the Austrian part of the Alps were systematically mapped for vascular plants. Data collection was based on a rectangular grid of 5 × 3 arc minutes (34–35 km 2 )....