@article{Moameri_Kalesar_Ghorbani_Ahvazi_2023, title={Determination of Effective Factors on Distribution of Medicinal Species of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. Using MaxEnt Model (Case Study: Namin Rangelands, Ardabil, Iran)}, volume={12}, url={https://oiccpress.com/journal-of-rangeland-science/article/determination-of-effective-factors-on-distribution-of-medicinal-species-of-vaccinium-arctostaphylos-l-using-maxent-model-case-study-namin-rangelands-ardabil-iran/}, DOI={10.30495/rs.2022.685601}, abstractNote={This research aimed to determine the potential habitats of Vaccinium arctostaphylos as a rare species using the MaxEnt method. For this purpose, sampling was performed from the areas of V. arctostaphylos at eight habitats in Namin rangelands, Ardabil, Iran in 2020. Also, latitude and longitude as well as physiographic factors were recorded using GPS. Soil samples were collected from depth of 0-30 cm. Then, some physicochemical properties of soil such as pH, electrical conductivity, soil texture, lime, soluble potassium, magnesium, soluble sodium, particulate organic matter, absorbable phosphorus, soluble bicarbonate and clay, silt and sand percentage were measured in the laboratory. The MaxEnt model was used to determine the relationship between environmental factors and the distribution of V. arctostaphylos. The map of environmental factors affecting the distribution of the species was prepared using IDW geostatistical method in Arc-GISver.10.8 software. Kappa index was used to evaluate the conformity of the forecast map with the actual map. Results of the Jackknife efficiency index showed the variables of elevation, rainfall and temperature were the most important variables in the distribution of V. arctostaphylos, respectively. Results of response curves showed this species is likely to be present in the altitude range of 1500-1900 m. Also, the precipitation range in the presence habitats of species is 350-450 mm and the average annual temperature range is about 7-10 °C. Results showed that the accuracy of maximum entropy modeling with a Kappa index of 0.64 is acceptable and this model has good accuracy in predicting the presence of species with main habitat. Generally, results showed MaxEnt model could be used as a prediction tool to determine the distribution area of V. arctostaphylos. Moreover, the prepared forecast map can be used for better conservation of species and rangelands management and improvement of the regions and similar areas.}, number={4}, journal={Journal of Rangeland Science}, publisher={OICC Press}, author={Moameri, Mehdi and Kalesar, Mina Azizi and Ghorbani, Ardavan and Ahvazi, Leila Khalasi}, year={2023}, month={Nov.}, keywords={Habitat distribution, MaxEnt, Modeling, Vaccinium arctostaphylos L} }