We are pleased to present the first issue of Plant Diversity, a new international Plant Science journal focusing on evolutionary processes that create and maintain plant diversity. We believe that a journal devoted to understanding how plant diversity evolves and is maintained is highly needed. This understanding is impossible to achieve without integrated knowledge of the evolutionary processes acting at the molecular, cellular and whole plant level, and of the phenomena operating within plant populations and communities. This is why Plant Diversity will cover various aspects of plant science, encompassing evolutionary, phylogenetic, genomic and biogeographical studies at different taxonomic levels. In addition to research drawn from all plant groups, bryological, lichenological, mycological and phycological studies will also be considered.

Yunnan is a renowned hotspot for plant biodiversity. More than half of all Chinese plant species,about 16,000, are found in Yunnan, and nearly half of these are endemic. In order to study the rich flora of Yunnan, Acta Botanica Yunnanica was established and published its first issue in 1979. In the beginning, the journal was focused on taxonomy, morphology, floristics and phytochemistry, and many important and highly cited papers were published. It became an impactful academic platform for botanical research in China. After achieving success and establishing its reputation as a Chinese journal, Acta Botanica Yunnanica wanted to increase its academic impact, not just in China, but internationally. Its name was changed to Plant Diversityin 2011, and under the new name, articles were published in both Chinese and English.

Now, with the foundation of the all-English Plant Diversity, the journal is entering a new and invigorating global phase, which will serve to disseminate its research findings to a broader, international community of plant scientists. An important step to providing Chinese plant scientists more exposure to the international scientific community would be publication of doctoral theses as English manuscripts.

Supported by the international editorial team with experts from 13 countries, the journal guarantees a rapid, thorough and fair peer review process. We aim to set high editorial standards for Plant Diversity. All articles will be subject to peer review including those commissioned by the editors. We will strive for rapid processing of the manuscripts enabling the quickest possible peer review, through the use of e-proofs and then publication via Early View. We also aim to provide a high level of editorial support for authors to ensure that articles are clear and well written. We are very conscious of the specific language editing needs of scientists who are not the native English speakers.

This first issue of Plant Diversity already demonstrates the high standards of the published papers, the international spectrum of the authors, and the broad scope of topics. We sincerely hope Plant Diversity will grow into an international academic journal and serve as an important medium for publishing important research discoveries in plant sciences from China and the World.

Editors-in-Chief: Sergei Volis E-mail: chiefeditorvolis@mail.kib.ac.cn    

Zhekun Zhou E-mail: chiefeditor@mail.kib.ac.cn