Abstract:

This study aims to model the present and future potential distribution of Rhododendron ponticum L. species according to diverse climate scenarios using maximum entropy. Carried out in two stages, the present study utilized presence data representing natural distribution of R. ponticum L. species in Turkey, Georgia, and Russia. In the first stage, we determined variables of the climate models and focused on 19 bioclimatic variables (in 2.5 minute, or approximately 20 km2, spatial resolution in Wordclim version 2.1) obtained for presence data from sample points. In order to prevent from high correlation and multi-collinearity, bioclimatic variables were reduced to 8 variables by performing Pearson correlation analysis. In the second stage, CNRM-CM6-1 climate change model, which is one of the CMIP6 models, was used to determine how the distribution areas of the species will be affected by climate change. Within this scope, the potential distribution areas of the species under the SSP2 4.5 and SSP5 8.5 scenarios in the periods 2041-2060 and 2081-2100 were modelled by means of the MaxEnt 3.4.1 software. Furthermore, spatial differences between the present and future potential distribution of the species were assessed by change analysis. In conclusion, this study suggested using produced knowledge and transforming them from theory to practice for underpinning sustainable landscape management.