Effects of Climate Change on the Spatial Distribution of the Threatened Species Rhododendron purdomii in Qinling-Daba Mountains of Central China: Implications for Conservation

The plant species in the mountainous regions might be relatively more vulnerable to climate change. Understanding potential effects of change on keystone species, such as Rhododendron subalpine and alpine ecosystems, is critically important for montane ecosystems management conservation. In this study, we used maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model, 53 distribution records, 22 environmental variables predict impacts endemic purdomii China. main affecting habitat suitability R. were altitude, temperature seasonality, annual precipitation, slope, isothermality. Our results found suitable areas concentrated continuously Qinling-Daba Mountains Central China under different scenarios, indicating that these could potentially long-term refugia species. will expand SSP126 (2070s), SSP585 (2050s), (2070s) but may negatively influenced (2050s) scenario. Moreover, changes showed pattern northward shift west–east migration response change, mainly limited marginal distribution. Finally, conservation strategies, protection assisted migration, are recommended. findings shed light biotic responses region provide guidance effective other endangered tree