Assessment of suitability evaluation for Ficus altissima blume ancient trees in different climatic environments in Guangxi, China
IntroductionThe Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China is home to numerous Ficus altissima Blume (F. altissima) ancient trees over 300 years old, which hold significant cultural, ecological, and scientific research value. However, little is known about their current and future distribution suitab...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1613723/full |
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| author | Hongliang Gu Yuxia Chen Qinqin Zhang |
| author_facet | Hongliang Gu Yuxia Chen Qinqin Zhang |
| author_sort | Hongliang Gu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThe Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China is home to numerous Ficus altissima Blume (F. altissima) ancient trees over 300 years old, which hold significant cultural, ecological, and scientific research value. However, little is known about their current and future distribution suitability or growth trends. MethodsTo address this gap, using machine learning and species distribution models, we analyzed their distribution patterns and habitat suitability changes under current and future climate scenarios, incorporating 33 climatic, topographic, and soil-related driving factors.ResultsOur findings reveal that the region hosts 514 ancient F. altissima trees aged over 300 years, 114 of which exhibit declining or endangered growth conditions. The spatial distribution of these trees is highly discrete, influenced by topographical constraints and intraspecific competition. Over 45% are found at elevations between 80 and 150 meters. Jackknife analysis identified the mean temperature of the wettest quarter (bio8) as the most critical factor affecting their distribution (77.6% cumulative contribution when combined with temperature seasonality, bio4). Specifically, regions with bio8 < 26°C and bio4 > 625°C are unsuitable for F. altissima (LOV < 0.085). Additionally, tree size varies by habitat due to competition, with ancient trees in flat areas exhibiting larger average crown widths. The accuracy of the Maxent model is superior to models such as BIOCLIM and GLM. Compared to current, under the SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 climate scenarios, the moderately suitable distribution area expanded by 1.47% and 0.89%, respectively (averaging 5.53% across four time periods), while the highly suitable area decreased by 0.04% and 0.21%. These results provide valuable insights for the conservation and sustainable utilization of ancient F. altissima trees. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9e5154994d6446d79f47e1ae80eb19df |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-9e5154994d6446d79f47e1ae80eb19df2025-08-20T03:33:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-07-011610.3389/fpls.2025.16137231613723Assessment of suitability evaluation for Ficus altissima blume ancient trees in different climatic environments in Guangxi, ChinaHongliang GuYuxia ChenQinqin ZhangIntroductionThe Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China is home to numerous Ficus altissima Blume (F. altissima) ancient trees over 300 years old, which hold significant cultural, ecological, and scientific research value. However, little is known about their current and future distribution suitability or growth trends. MethodsTo address this gap, using machine learning and species distribution models, we analyzed their distribution patterns and habitat suitability changes under current and future climate scenarios, incorporating 33 climatic, topographic, and soil-related driving factors.ResultsOur findings reveal that the region hosts 514 ancient F. altissima trees aged over 300 years, 114 of which exhibit declining or endangered growth conditions. The spatial distribution of these trees is highly discrete, influenced by topographical constraints and intraspecific competition. Over 45% are found at elevations between 80 and 150 meters. Jackknife analysis identified the mean temperature of the wettest quarter (bio8) as the most critical factor affecting their distribution (77.6% cumulative contribution when combined with temperature seasonality, bio4). Specifically, regions with bio8 < 26°C and bio4 > 625°C are unsuitable for F. altissima (LOV < 0.085). Additionally, tree size varies by habitat due to competition, with ancient trees in flat areas exhibiting larger average crown widths. The accuracy of the Maxent model is superior to models such as BIOCLIM and GLM. Compared to current, under the SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 climate scenarios, the moderately suitable distribution area expanded by 1.47% and 0.89%, respectively (averaging 5.53% across four time periods), while the highly suitable area decreased by 0.04% and 0.21%. These results provide valuable insights for the conservation and sustainable utilization of ancient F. altissima trees.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1613723/fullF. altissimaancient treesspecies distribution modelsMaxentGuangxi Zhuang autonomous region |
| spellingShingle | Hongliang Gu Yuxia Chen Qinqin Zhang Assessment of suitability evaluation for Ficus altissima blume ancient trees in different climatic environments in Guangxi, China Frontiers in Plant Science F. altissima ancient trees species distribution models Maxent Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region |
| title | Assessment of suitability evaluation for Ficus altissima blume ancient trees in different climatic environments in Guangxi, China |
| title_full | Assessment of suitability evaluation for Ficus altissima blume ancient trees in different climatic environments in Guangxi, China |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of suitability evaluation for Ficus altissima blume ancient trees in different climatic environments in Guangxi, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of suitability evaluation for Ficus altissima blume ancient trees in different climatic environments in Guangxi, China |
| title_short | Assessment of suitability evaluation for Ficus altissima blume ancient trees in different climatic environments in Guangxi, China |
| title_sort | assessment of suitability evaluation for ficus altissima blume ancient trees in different climatic environments in guangxi china |
| topic | F. altissima ancient trees species distribution models Maxent Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1613723/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT honglianggu assessmentofsuitabilityevaluationforficusaltissimablumeancienttreesindifferentclimaticenvironmentsinguangxichina AT yuxiachen assessmentofsuitabilityevaluationforficusaltissimablumeancienttreesindifferentclimaticenvironmentsinguangxichina AT qinqinzhang assessmentofsuitabilityevaluationforficusaltissimablumeancienttreesindifferentclimaticenvironmentsinguangxichina |