Abstract: Global biodiversity loss seriously threatens the multiple functions and services of ecosystems. Identifying micro-priority areas cost-effectively and representatively at the fine scale is an effective way to promote successful regional biodiversity conservation. This study selected the endangered, endemic and national protected plant species in the southeastern Himalayas priority area as surrogate taxa to represent community biodiversity of the region. Systematic conservation planning model (Zonation) was used along with data on habitat suitability (Maxent) of each plant species to systematically identify the biodiversity micro-priority areas and analyze its ecological representativeness. The conservation gaps in the study area were identified. Our results showed that: (1) The species distribution model accurately predicts that these representative plant species are mainly concentrated in southeastern Tibet; (2) The identified micropriority areas are mainly distributed in the high mountains and valleys in southeastern Tibet, the original lake basins and valleys in southern Tibet, and the middle section of the Himalayas in southwestern Tibet; (3) The micropriority areas identified based on endangered species surrogate has better ecological representation for ecosystem and its services, but it is necessary to combine species, ecosystem and its services to identify micro-priority areas in conservation planning in the future; (4) There are some differences in the geographical distribution between the micro-priority areas and the in situ protected areas. The conservation gaps were mainly located in Zayü, northern Mêdog, northern Lhozhag, southern Nagrze, Kamba, Yadong, Kangmar, and central Saga. The future optimization work in the national park planning in the southeastern Himalayas should focus on those gap areas. This study can provide methodological support to improve the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation at the fine scale and provide decision support for local administration to integrate and optimize the protected areas system.

Key words: habitat modeling, micro-priority area, ecological representativeness, conservation gap, the Southeast Himalaya Biodiversity Priority Conservation Area.