Phylogenetics and the conservation of a diverse and ancient flora.

Phylogenetics has a valuable role in the conservation of the flora of Western Australia particularly in the south-west where the complex evolutionary history has resulted in a diverse flora with both relictual and recently evolved components. Phylogenetic analysis contributes to conservation of plants through clarification of taxonomic status, identification of unique evolutionary lineages, determination of relictual and recently derived species, determination of phylogenetic value for conservation priority setting, and identifying phylogenetically independent comparisons between rare and widespread species. The contribution of phylogenetic analysis to these aspects of effective conservation management are discussed with examples from various species in Western Australia.