Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EVALUATION OF MAXENT METHOD FOR HABITATS DISTRIBUTION MODELING OF BROMUS TOMENTELLUS IN THE SOUTHERN RANGELAND OF GOLESTAN PROVINCE (IRAN)

Esfanjani Javad, Ghorbani Ardavan*1, Zare Chahouki Mohammad Ali2 and Esfanjani Elahe3

Abstract

Knowledge of the spatial distribution of plant species with different applications and environmental factors affecting on plant species is of great importance in the management and utilization of the principles. The main goal of this study is modeling of distribution Bromus tomentellus by including Maximum Entropy Modeling Technique (MaxEnt) in the Chaharbagh rangelands in north of Iran. Sampling method was random- systematic. Soil samples were taken from 0–30cm. Soil properties such as texture, organic carbon, lime, pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Nitrogen (N) were measured at the Lab. Topographic data such as elevation, slope, and aspect were extracted from Digital Elevation Model (DEM). To map soil properties, spatial statistical method was used to predict B. tomentellus distribution. Modeling was performed using environmental variable maps by inserting in the maximum entropy software. The agreement of predictive map with the actual map was controlled by calculating Kappa coefficient value. Accuracy of predictive models was evaluated using the Area Under the Curve (AUC). By Jackknife method and response curve was found the most important environmental predictor variables. Results showed that N, sand and clay in soil had the greatest impacts on the distribution of B. tomentellus in the study area. Correspondence of actual map with the predictive one was assessed at a satisfactory level (Kappa coefficient = 0.50). Modeling the potential distribution of plant species can locate in prone areas to revive the important potential habitat of species such as B. tomentellus habitate be of great importance.