Prediction of potential suitable habitats of Malania oleifera under future climate scenarios based on the MaxEnt model

Abstract Malania oleifera is a nationally Category II protected wild plant in China and a Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, specifically distributed in the karst forest, playing a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance in karst fragile ecosystems. In this study, the p...

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Main Authors: Ye Zhang, Mimi Li, Xiaoning Zhang, Zihai Qin, Ping Wang, Hailong Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09800-7
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author Ye Zhang
Mimi Li
Xiaoning Zhang
Zihai Qin
Ping Wang
Hailong Liu
author_facet Ye Zhang
Mimi Li
Xiaoning Zhang
Zihai Qin
Ping Wang
Hailong Liu
author_sort Ye Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Malania oleifera is a nationally Category II protected wild plant in China and a Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, specifically distributed in the karst forest, playing a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance in karst fragile ecosystems. In this study, the potential suitable habitats for M. oleifera were simulated by the MaxEnt model using 126 distribution records and 19 environment variables. The key environmental variables influencing its distribution were identified: topsoil USDA texture classification (t_usda_tex), precipitation of warmest quarter (Bio18), isothermality (Bio03), precipitation of driest quarter (Bio17), precipitation seasonality (Bio15), and temperature annual range (Bio07), which are clay soil, 606–882 mm, 33.1–43.5, 40.7–67.2 mm, 76.9–86.7%, and 20.6–23.1 °C, respectively. Under the future climate scenarios, the total area of suitable habitats for M. oleifera is expected to decrease, with a more significant reduction under the SSP585 scenario compared to the SSP126 and SSP245 scenarios. Compared to the current centroid of the suitable habitat, the future centroid is projected to shift southeastward. This study identifies stable habitats of M. oleifera in the Guangxi-Yunnan-Guizhou border region, recommending prioritized in situ conservation and breeding base development. Environmentally sensitive zones require continuous monitoring and adaptive protection strategies. Climate-adaptive cultivation trials are proposed for expansion areas like Guangdong. These findings offer scientific and practical guidance for sustainable management of this vulnerable species under climate change.
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spelling doaj-art-e5006d3fe8eb4ddd88c4ecfaac6d72e82025-08-20T04:03:06ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-09800-7Prediction of potential suitable habitats of Malania oleifera under future climate scenarios based on the MaxEnt modelYe Zhang0Mimi Li1Xiaoning Zhang2Zihai Qin3Ping Wang4Hailong Liu5College of Ecology and Environment, Central South University of Forestry and TechnologyJiangsu Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangxi Forestry Research InstituteGuangxi Forestry Research InstituteCollege of Ecology and Environment, Central South University of Forestry and TechnologyGuangxi Forestry Research InstituteAbstract Malania oleifera is a nationally Category II protected wild plant in China and a Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, specifically distributed in the karst forest, playing a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance in karst fragile ecosystems. In this study, the potential suitable habitats for M. oleifera were simulated by the MaxEnt model using 126 distribution records and 19 environment variables. The key environmental variables influencing its distribution were identified: topsoil USDA texture classification (t_usda_tex), precipitation of warmest quarter (Bio18), isothermality (Bio03), precipitation of driest quarter (Bio17), precipitation seasonality (Bio15), and temperature annual range (Bio07), which are clay soil, 606–882 mm, 33.1–43.5, 40.7–67.2 mm, 76.9–86.7%, and 20.6–23.1 °C, respectively. Under the future climate scenarios, the total area of suitable habitats for M. oleifera is expected to decrease, with a more significant reduction under the SSP585 scenario compared to the SSP126 and SSP245 scenarios. Compared to the current centroid of the suitable habitat, the future centroid is projected to shift southeastward. This study identifies stable habitats of M. oleifera in the Guangxi-Yunnan-Guizhou border region, recommending prioritized in situ conservation and breeding base development. Environmentally sensitive zones require continuous monitoring and adaptive protection strategies. Climate-adaptive cultivation trials are proposed for expansion areas like Guangdong. These findings offer scientific and practical guidance for sustainable management of this vulnerable species under climate change.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09800-7
spellingShingle Ye Zhang
Mimi Li
Xiaoning Zhang
Zihai Qin
Ping Wang
Hailong Liu
Prediction of potential suitable habitats of Malania oleifera under future climate scenarios based on the MaxEnt model
Scientific Reports
title Prediction of potential suitable habitats of Malania oleifera under future climate scenarios based on the MaxEnt model
title_full Prediction of potential suitable habitats of Malania oleifera under future climate scenarios based on the MaxEnt model
title_fullStr Prediction of potential suitable habitats of Malania oleifera under future climate scenarios based on the MaxEnt model
title_full_unstemmed Prediction of potential suitable habitats of Malania oleifera under future climate scenarios based on the MaxEnt model
title_short Prediction of potential suitable habitats of Malania oleifera under future climate scenarios based on the MaxEnt model
title_sort prediction of potential suitable habitats of malania oleifera under future climate scenarios based on the maxent model
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09800-7
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