Modeling Habitat Suitability of Hippophaerhamnoides L. Using MaxEnt
under Climate change in China: A Case Study of H. r. sinensis and H. r.
turkestanica
Abstract
Hippophaerhamnoides is widely known for its important ecological,
economic, and social benefits. It is known as the pioneer plant of soil
and water conservation, with homology in food and medicine. Here we used
occurrence data and environmental (climate and soil) variables to
simulate and predict the habitat distribution for H. r. sinensis and H.
r. trkestanica in China, both at the current time and in the 2050s
(2041-2060). Our aim was to analyze the dominant factors effecting its
distribution using MaxEnt and the spatial analysis of geographic
information system. The results indicated that H. r. sinensis is mainly
distributed in Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Tibet,
and Inner Mongolia, and is mainly affected by bio13 (precipitation of
the wettest month), bio11 (mean temperature of the coldest quarte) and
bio3 (Isothermality). The suitable habitat of H. r. trkestanica is
mainly distributed in Xinjiang, and Tibet, and is mainly affected by
bio13 (precipitation of the wettest month), bio2 (mean diurnal range)
and bio15 (precipitation seasonality). Although, the two subspecies tend
to expand and migrate toward lower latitude under future climate
scenarios, there are some differences. H. r. sinensis will migrate
westward, while H. r. trkestanica will migrate eastward as a whole. They
have a high stability of suitable habitat and are not at risk of
extinction in the future. The study’s findings help to clarify the
resource reserve of Hippophaerhamnoides L. in China, which will help to
guide the protection of wild resources and to popularize artificial
planting in suitable areas, and provides scientific basis for the
protection of ecological environment.