[Potential distribution of the traditional Tibetan herb Pterocephalus hookeri by Maxent model]

Abstract

In order to study the ecology suitability of Pterocephalus hookeri, and provide a reference for GAP planting location and regional development, the Maxent model and GIS technology were used to investigate ecology suitability regions for P. hookeri based on the distribution points collected from Chinese virtual herbarium, the references and field trips. The potential distribution areas mainly concentrated in the eastern Tibet, western Sichuan, southern Qinghai, northwest Yunnan, and southern Gansu. There were 7 major environmental factors to have obvious influence on ecology suitability distributions of P. hookeri, including altitude (contribution rate of 62%), precipitation of warmest quarter (contribution rate of 14.4%), coefficient of variation of precipitation seasonality (contribution rate of 7.2%), mean temperature of driest quarter (contribution rate of 3.5%), the electrical conductivity of top and sub-soil (contribution rate of 3%), the total exchangeable bases in the top- and subsoil (contribution rate of 2.4%) and SD of temperature seasonality (contribution rate of 2.2%). The study of the ecological suitability regionalization of P. hookeri based on Maxent model can provide scientific basis for the selection of artificial planting base and GAP planting location.

Keywords: Maxent model; Pterocephalus hookeri; potential distribution areas; traditional Tibetan herb.