MaxEnt-Based Predictions of Suitable Potential Distribution of <i>Leymus secalinus</i> Under Current and Future Climate Change

Grassland degradation is a serious ecological issue in the farming–pastoral ecotone of northern China. Utilizing native grasses for the restoration of degraded grasslands is an effective technological approach. <i>Leymus secalinus</i> is a superior indigenous grass species for grassland...

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Main Authors: Shimeng Zhao, Zongxian Zhang, Changyu Gao, Yiding Dong, Zeyao Jing, Lixia Du, Xiangyang Hou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/293
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author Shimeng Zhao
Zongxian Zhang
Changyu Gao
Yiding Dong
Zeyao Jing
Lixia Du
Xiangyang Hou
author_facet Shimeng Zhao
Zongxian Zhang
Changyu Gao
Yiding Dong
Zeyao Jing
Lixia Du
Xiangyang Hou
author_sort Shimeng Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Grassland degradation is a serious ecological issue in the farming–pastoral ecotone of northern China. Utilizing native grasses for the restoration of degraded grasslands is an effective technological approach. <i>Leymus secalinus</i> is a superior indigenous grass species for grassland ecological restoration in northern China. Therefore, the excavation of potential distribution areas of <i>L. secalinus</i> and important ecological factors affecting its distribution is crucial for grassland conservation and restoration of degraded grasslands. Based on 357 data points collected on the natural distribution of <i>L. secalinus</i>, this study employs the jackknife method and Pearson correlation analysis to screen out 23 variables affecting its spatial distribution. The MaxEnt model was used herein to predict the current suitable distribution area of <i>L. secalinus</i> and the suitable distribution of <i>L. secalinus</i> under different SSP scenarios (SSP1-26, SSP2-45, and SSP5-85) for future climate. The results showed the following: (1) Mean diurnal temperature range, annual mean temperature, precipitation of the wettest quarter, and elevation are the major factors impacting the distribution of <i>L. secalinus</i>. (2) Under the current climatic conditions, <i>L. secalinus</i> is mainly distributed in the farming–pastoral ecotone of northern China; in addition, certain suitable areas also exist in parts of Xinjiang, Tibet, Sichuan, Heilongjiang, and Jilin. (3) Under future climate change scenarios, the suitable areas for <i>L. secalinus</i> are generally the same as at present, with slight changes in area under different scenarios, with the largest expansion of 97,222 km<sup>2</sup> of suitable area in 2021–2040 under the SSP1-26 scenario and the largest shrinkage of potential suitable area in 2061–2080 under the SSP2-45 scenario, with 87,983 km<sup>2</sup>. Notably, the northern boundary of the middle- and high-suitability areas is reduced, while the northeastern boundary and some areas of Heilongjiang and Jilin are expanded. The results of this study revealed the suitable climatic conditions and potential distribution range of <i>L. secalinus</i>, which can provide a reference for the conservation, introduction, and cultivation of <i>L. secalinus</i> in new ecological zones, avoiding the blind introduction of inappropriate habitats, and is also crucial for sustaining the economic benefits associated with <i>L. secalinus</i> ecological services.
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spelling doaj-art-e6a8cccdca404b35982ca1d41da4a2d92025-01-24T13:47:08ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-01-0114229310.3390/plants14020293MaxEnt-Based Predictions of Suitable Potential Distribution of <i>Leymus secalinus</i> Under Current and Future Climate ChangeShimeng Zhao0Zongxian Zhang1Changyu Gao2Yiding Dong3Zeyao Jing4Lixia Du5Xiangyang Hou6Key Laboratory of Efficient Forage Production Mode, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaKey Laboratory of Efficient Forage Production Mode, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaKey Laboratory of Efficient Forage Production Mode, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaKey Laboratory of Efficient Forage Production Mode, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaKey Laboratory of Efficient Forage Production Mode, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaKey Laboratory of Efficient Forage Production Mode, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaKey Laboratory of Efficient Forage Production Mode, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair, College of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaGrassland degradation is a serious ecological issue in the farming–pastoral ecotone of northern China. Utilizing native grasses for the restoration of degraded grasslands is an effective technological approach. <i>Leymus secalinus</i> is a superior indigenous grass species for grassland ecological restoration in northern China. Therefore, the excavation of potential distribution areas of <i>L. secalinus</i> and important ecological factors affecting its distribution is crucial for grassland conservation and restoration of degraded grasslands. Based on 357 data points collected on the natural distribution of <i>L. secalinus</i>, this study employs the jackknife method and Pearson correlation analysis to screen out 23 variables affecting its spatial distribution. The MaxEnt model was used herein to predict the current suitable distribution area of <i>L. secalinus</i> and the suitable distribution of <i>L. secalinus</i> under different SSP scenarios (SSP1-26, SSP2-45, and SSP5-85) for future climate. The results showed the following: (1) Mean diurnal temperature range, annual mean temperature, precipitation of the wettest quarter, and elevation are the major factors impacting the distribution of <i>L. secalinus</i>. (2) Under the current climatic conditions, <i>L. secalinus</i> is mainly distributed in the farming–pastoral ecotone of northern China; in addition, certain suitable areas also exist in parts of Xinjiang, Tibet, Sichuan, Heilongjiang, and Jilin. (3) Under future climate change scenarios, the suitable areas for <i>L. secalinus</i> are generally the same as at present, with slight changes in area under different scenarios, with the largest expansion of 97,222 km<sup>2</sup> of suitable area in 2021–2040 under the SSP1-26 scenario and the largest shrinkage of potential suitable area in 2061–2080 under the SSP2-45 scenario, with 87,983 km<sup>2</sup>. Notably, the northern boundary of the middle- and high-suitability areas is reduced, while the northeastern boundary and some areas of Heilongjiang and Jilin are expanded. The results of this study revealed the suitable climatic conditions and potential distribution range of <i>L. secalinus</i>, which can provide a reference for the conservation, introduction, and cultivation of <i>L. secalinus</i> in new ecological zones, avoiding the blind introduction of inappropriate habitats, and is also crucial for sustaining the economic benefits associated with <i>L. secalinus</i> ecological services.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/293<i>Leymus secalinus</i>species distribution modeling (SDM)shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenariosenvironmental variablessuitable area
spellingShingle Shimeng Zhao
Zongxian Zhang
Changyu Gao
Yiding Dong
Zeyao Jing
Lixia Du
Xiangyang Hou
MaxEnt-Based Predictions of Suitable Potential Distribution of <i>Leymus secalinus</i> Under Current and Future Climate Change
Plants
<i>Leymus secalinus</i>
species distribution modeling (SDM)
shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios
environmental variables
suitable area
title MaxEnt-Based Predictions of Suitable Potential Distribution of <i>Leymus secalinus</i> Under Current and Future Climate Change
title_full MaxEnt-Based Predictions of Suitable Potential Distribution of <i>Leymus secalinus</i> Under Current and Future Climate Change
title_fullStr MaxEnt-Based Predictions of Suitable Potential Distribution of <i>Leymus secalinus</i> Under Current and Future Climate Change
title_full_unstemmed MaxEnt-Based Predictions of Suitable Potential Distribution of <i>Leymus secalinus</i> Under Current and Future Climate Change
title_short MaxEnt-Based Predictions of Suitable Potential Distribution of <i>Leymus secalinus</i> Under Current and Future Climate Change
title_sort maxent based predictions of suitable potential distribution of i leymus secalinus i under current and future climate change
topic <i>Leymus secalinus</i>
species distribution modeling (SDM)
shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios
environmental variables
suitable area
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/293
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