1. Introduction
Bamboos support an international trade of over USD ~2 billion per year, with the domestic usage estimated at least 80 per cent of the total, thus forming a major world commodity [1]. Evolutionarily, in the lowland tropics of Gondwanaland, woody bamboos progressed as an ancient group of forest plants during the Tertiary period of the Cenozoic Era [2]. It signifies the importance of bamboos in relation to socioeconomic, spatiotemporal, and spatial distribution across the globe. Despite the substantial utilization and potential, shrubby bamboo in India has been poorly investigated due to inaccessibility and difficult mountain terrain, and knowledge of its diversity and distribution is lacking. However, indiscriminate extraction, developmental activities, and growing forest-fire incidences cause rapid loss of biodiversity, particularly the understory faunal diversity [3]. For instance, the African bamboo species Yushania alpina provides shelter and food to the endangered Tragelaphus euryceros ssp. isaaci (eastern or mountain bongo) in the Aberdare Mountains in Kenya [4]. Another close association of bamboo with an endangered [5] mammal Gorilla beringei beringei (mountain gorilla) occurs in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and southwestern Uganda [6]. As per the IUCN and the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972), Ursus arctos isabellinus (Himalayan brown bear) thrives well in the bamboo forest of the Indian subcontinent [6,7]; (
One such temperate woody bamboo species, Thamnocalamus spathiflorus (Tham ringal), naturally grows widely in the subalpine to alpine zone of the Himalayas. It is not only ecologically important but also has socioeconomic significance for the mountain dwelling community and local artisans [9]. However, a lack of adequate scientific knowledge in most high-altitude bamboos of India is a major impediment in their conservation and management. The fundamental knowledge required to bridge the information gap includes the pattern of distribution, estimation, and mapping of area cover, ecological association, future prediction under a climate change scenario, species richness, taxonomic description, genomic resources, and so forth. Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM) is one of the preferentially used approaches for identifying, mapping, forecasting distributions, and determining change shifts for a vast number of organisms [10,11]. ENM predicts habitat suitability through the mathematical modelling of spatial occurrence records with environmental covariates, via correlative or mechanistic approaches [12,13,14].
Besides the socioeconomic significance, Th. spathiflorus is an ecologically important bamboo taxon occupying a top of the altitudinal range of bamboo and is the first to experience the changes induced by climatic and anthropologic factors. Thus, it is an ideal bamboo species to be investigated for distinguishing the environmental variables associated with its habitat and predicting a range shift in response to future climate projections. In this view, the present study aimed to (1) determine the key contributory bioclimatic variables in the habitat suitability range prediction; (2) map and quantify the area coverage under the species as per the present climatic scenario; and finally (3) estimate the shift under projections of future climate change and overlay the probabilistic distribution using the Köppen–Geiger Climatic Classification (KGCC) system. Overall, a biogeographical habitat and species ecology has been demonstrated in broader perspective of northwestern Himalayas for fixing the conservation priority of this valuable genetic resource.
2. Material and Methods
2.1. Collection of Records of Species Occurrence, Bioclimatic Layers, and Distribution Modeling
In preparation for the field survey, we reviewed the records of species occurrence from various sources, such as the status map of the Forest Survey of India (FSI 2019) and the working plans of the forest departments in the northern Indian states of Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Uttarakhand (UK). We also acquired data on biodiversity and distribution from documents available in the National Forest Library Information Centre (NFLIC) of the ICFRE-Forest Research Institute (FRI); the Northern Regional Botanical Survey of India, Dehradun; and the ICFRE—Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI), Shimla. Furthermore, we gathered information about the actual extent of distribution in a specific forest area from the ground staff of the forest department and forest-dwelling communities.
From 2017 to 2021, we conducted extensive surveys in the states of HP and the UK. We implemented multi-phase random sampling using zig-zag 100 m linear transects in an unbiased manner, with a particular emphasis on the hill slopes where mountain depressions occur. Based on the number of clumps in a linear transect of 100 m, surveyed sites were classified into categories, viz., (i) reduced (5–10 clumps), (ii) disturbed (11–20 clumps), (iii) fair (21–50 clumps), (iv) healthy (51–75 clumps), and (v) pristine (>75 clumps). Additionally, we classified the population distribution as either random, indicating uneven culm distribution in mixed forests, or uniform, indicating gregariously and evenly developing clumps. Furthermore, the phytocoenological analysis also collected data on the primary associate tree species that allow for Th. spathiflorus to grow under their canopy. We employed a Global Positioning System (GPS; Garmin, Olathe, KS, USA) to record geospatial parameters for the dispersed distribution of Th. spathiflorus. We delineated the Th. spathiflorus sections in polygons using an area demarcation tool in the GPS to ensure the accuracy of the sampling [15]. In addition, we utilized the geo-coordinates and GPS-generated polygons to delineate the locations of individual regions and populations, subsequently converting them into a point shapefile. For the purpose of visible interpretation and demarcation, we converted these into a high-resolution base map in ArcGIS. We rectified the sampling bias by removing 156 points from the same grid and incorporating the remaining geospatial data, which were either 800 m linearly apart or 0.64 km2 spatially apart [16].
Prediction modeling was conducted using 19 bioclimatic (30 s~1 km2 spatial resolution; WorldClim Version 2.0) and 6 climatic variables, 3 spatial analysts, direct normal irradiance (DNI), pedologic, and 6 climatic variables, in addition to occurrence data. The monthly temperature and rainfall values, which are accessible on the WorldClim website (
2.2. MaxEnt Modelling for Current and Future Projection
The open-access program MaxEnt ver. 3.1 is utilized to execute the MaxEnt prediction, which represents the vastly possible number of variables in a space [18]. In this case, the response to the environmental conditions was determined by linear, quadratic, and hinge features [19]. On the other hand, parameters like the maximum number of background points (10,000), categorical (0.250), and threshold (1.000) achieved the model’s most optimal output. The regularization multiplier value of 0.1 was used to mitigate overfitting and overprediction in the model [20] with 5000 iterations [21]. We used about 70% of the geo-coordinates for training of the model and the remaining 30% points were used for validation.
The final probability distribution map (model output) was generated by averaging the predictions from 100 models or replications. Ground control points based on XY coordinates and demarcated boundaries were employed to conceal overpredicted regions. Further, the MaxEnt model yields AUC, which ranged from 0 to 1 [22,23,24]. In addition, the confusion matrix was employed to derive other metrics, including the kappa coefficient (K), Normalized Mutual Information (NMI) n(s), and True Skill Statistic (TSS), to evaluate accuracy [25,26]. Herein, the presence and pseudo-absence points’ single shapefile, with a field value of 1 for the presence and 2 for pseudo-absence, were used in ArcGIS. In the next step, MaxEnt output was re-classified into two classes, viz., class 1 for presence and class 2 for pseudo-absence. Using the “extract value to point” option, a raster value was extracted from a previously generated shapefile. Afterwards, the frequency tool was used to generate a frequency table, showing a frequency of shapefile fields’ value. Finally, a pivot table was created using a frequency table, which showed the upper left value as true presence (a), the upper right value as true false (b), lower left as false true (c), and lower right as the true absence (d). Finally, the precision measures were calculated using below mentioned formulas.
Sensitivity is a/(a + c)
Specificity is d/(b + d)
TSS is sensitivity + specifici–y − 1
Kappa is [(a + –) − (((a + c) (a + b) + (b + d) (c + d))/N)]/[–N − (((a + c) (a + b) + (b + d) (c + d))/N)]
NMI(s) is [−a × ln(a) – b × ln(–) − c × ln(c) – d × ln(d) + (a + b) ×ln(a + b) + (c + d) ×ln(c + d)]/[n × ln(–) − ((a + c) × ln(a + c) + (b + d) × ln(b + d))]
The relevance of the bioclimatic variables was evaluated using response curves and jackknife tests [20]. The response curves quantitatively determine the logistic probability of the species’ presence in its natural distribution range. While holding all other environmental factors at their average sample value, the curves demonstrate how changing an individual variable impacts the projected likelihood of presence. On the other hand, the red curves represent the average answer from all 20 MaxEnt runs, and the blue ones represent the average plus or minus one standard deviation (two shades for categorical variables). We first rendered the final maps using the “degree” unit in the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS-1984) projection. After that, we used ArcGIS (Projection and Transformation Tool) to convert it to a meter and re-project it into the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTS) system using zones 43 (HP) and 44 (UK). Once the transformation was completed, we used a raster calculator to calculate the area under the prediction output. At last, we completed the development of eco-distribution maps and area calculations for the current and potential distribution scenarios. Notably, the current distribution map was again overlaid on the KGCC system (1976–2000) [27] (
3. Results
3.1. MaxEnt Performance and Variables Contribution
The model output was validated using a 30% test dataset with a prediction threshold of 0.7, revealing excellent prediction with 90% points correctly overlaid on the predicted distribution area. A high value of AUC (0.975 ± 0.019) calculated from prediction mapping also revealed the best suitability of used bioclimatic variables in modelling (Supplementary Figure S1a,b). Further, the model output was also well supported with the calculated classification accuracy measures, such as K (0.391), NMI (0.611), and TSS (0.763) (Table 1), and other parameters shown in Supplementary Table S3. Based on the relative importance, the percentage contribution and permutation of each variable was assessed (Table 2 and Figure 1), and the variables, namely, precipitation seasonality (Bio 15), precipitation (Prec), annual temperature range (Bio 7), and altitude (Alt), showed highest level of percentage contribution (72.2%) and permutation importance (60.9%) for predicting the habit suitability of Th. spathiflorus in the northwestern Himalayas. Other variables like annual mean diurnal range (Bio 2), iso-thermality (Bio 3), and precipitation of wettest month (Bio 13) also showed important role in modelling; thus, important for predicting species ecological niche. The jackknife test (Supplementary Figure S2) indicated alt (Alt) as an important variable with maximum gain when used in isolation. Additionally, aspect (Asp) and slope (Slop) were two other important factors that showed significant decrease in gain when excluded.
The Bio 15 variable measures the variation in monthly precipitation over the course of the year, with a maximum probability (p) of presence at 60 (p = 0.85), 88 (p = 0.83), and a sharp decline at 73 (p = 0.28), as indicated by the response curves. Additionally, the precipitation variable exhibited the highest permutational importance (22.8) and the highest probability (p) of presence at 115 mm (p = 0.94) and 168 mm (p = 0.90), with a steep decline at 145 mm (p = 0.10). Bio 7 indicates that extreme temperature fluctuations did not significantly impact the distribution of Th. spathiflorus in the case of temperature variables. The habitat suitability range is 22 to 26 °C, with the highest probability (p) of occurrence at 23.0 °C (p = 1.00). Other factors, such as Alt (range = 2000–3500 m; maximum p = 0.88 at 2850 m) and DNI (maximum p = 0.85 at 17,200 Wm−2) also revealed the suitability of these parameters, which might affect the distribution pattern for effective prediction mapping of Th. spathiflorus.
3.2. Eco-Distribution, Shift Change, and KGCC Mapping of Th. spathiflorus
A total of 14 sites distributed in nine districts of two Himalayan states were surveyed, and majorly of occurrence points were collected from district Pithoragarh, followed by Shimla, Chamoli, and Uttarkashi (Table 3). Based on the counts of clumps per 100 m, nine sites were classified as healthy, two pristine, two reduced, and one (from Ghangaria) disturbed. Similarly, a ratio of 1:1 was noted between random and uniform distribution of Th. spathiflorus populations. Overall, the distribution was recorded from 29°58′ (Narayan Ashram, Pithoragarh, UK) to 31°53′ (Ropa, Kullu, HP) in the north, and 77°02′ (Ropa, Kullu, HP) to 80°39′ (Narayan Ashram, Pithoragarh, UK) in the south, with the slope ranging from 45 to 85°. Attitudinally, the species spotted from the elevation ranged from 1914 to 3330 m.
The eco-distribution map for the current distribution and the estimated areas (in km2) are shown in Figure 2 and Table 4, respectively. This study provides an actual occurrence area of ~136 km2 and estimated area of ~982 km2 under Th. spathiflorus in both the Himalayan states. Among the districts, maximum and minimum estimated areas were recorded in Uttarkashi (~265 km2) and Chamba (~10 km2), respectively. Notably, the total area occupancy of the species was calculated as 2.47% of the forest cover and 0.90% of the total geographical area (Supplementary Table S4). Additionally, the eco-distribution map was superimposed on ASTER GDEM to calculate the area cover in accordance with the altitudinal gradient. The maximum occupancy (~331 km2) of the species lies between 2501 and 3000 m amsl, showing a sharp decline below and above. Notably, above 3251 m, no record of Th. spathiflorus was observed in state HP but found ~119 km2 area in UK (Supplementary Table S5).
The probabilistic distribution for current and future climatic scenario (as per RCP 8.5) of 2050 and 2070 are shown in Figure 3 and Supplementary Figure S3a,b. Model showed a sharp decline in area of an optimal habitat (~966 km2 in 2050 and ~936 km2 in 2070) for future RCP 8.5 scenario with respect to the current estimation, i.e., ~982 km2. The districts Solan (HP), Uttarkashi (UK), and Pithoragarh (UK) showed a maximum climatic shift in current suitable habitats. Notably, the predicted suitable habitat was moved towards “East by North (EbN, 88°)” for year 2050 and an eastern shift (91°) by the year 2070 (Table 5).
Additionally, Figure 4 depicts the probabilistic distribution of MIROC6-SSP245 for the current and future climatic scenarios of 2021–2040 and 2061–2080, respectively. The model, however, demonstrated that the area of an optimal habitat for the future MIROC6-SSP245 scenario decreased in comparison to the current estimation. Specifically, it decreased from ~982 km2 (current prediction 1970–2000) to ~950 km2 in 2021–2040, and then to ~928 km2 in 2061–2080. Uttarkashi, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh (UK), as well as the districts of Kullu, Kangra, Chamba, and Solan (HP), demonstrated the most substantial climatic shift in the habitats that are presently suitable. The relocation of the anticipated suitable habitat for the years 2021–2040 and 2061–2080 from a lower altitude to a higher altitude is crucial to observe.
Overlaying of current distribution of Th. spathiflorus over KGCC map revealed its occurrence in six climatic subtypes prevailed in the northwestern Himalayan states (Figure 5). Importantly, the maximum occurrence of species was found in the subtropical highland oceanic climate (Cwb; C is warm temperate, w is winter dry, and b is warm summer) of the middle Himalayas in the districts of Shimla, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, Chamoli, and Pithoragarh. The distribution was followed by a monsoon-influenced warm summer humid continental climate (Dwb; D is snow, w is winter dry, and b is warm summer) and subarctic climate (Dwc; D is snow, w is winter dry, and c is cool summer). Unexpectedly, some traces of species occurrence were also observed in the humid subtropical climate (Cwa; C is warm temperate, w is winter dry, and a is hot summer) of lower stretches of Dhaola Dhar and Shiwalik ranges in HP and UK, respectively. Lastly, species recorded to occur in the glacial (ET; E is polar and T is polar tundra) climatic condition of the eastern regions where the temperature of warmest month varies from 0 to 10 °C.
4. Discussion
In India and around the world, bamboos play a critical role in the generation of livelihoods and the maintenance of wood-based industries from a socioeconomic perspective. Furthermore, they offer substantial ecological services, including the preservation of biological diversity, the prevention of soil erosion, and the conservation of soil moisture [31,32]. The last few decades have witnessed a significant change in the global climate of the Earth, particularly in the Himalayas, and therefore, it is important to investigate its impact over the range expansion or shrinkage of the vegetation, particularly climatic climax species of woody perennials [33] (
4.1. Model-Based Habitat Suitability and Associated Bioclimatic Variables
We also assessed MaxEnt using various statistical parameters, such as AUC, K, TSS, and NMI, to confirm its reliability and statistical support. Model output with a high AUC value close to 1 (0.975 ± 0.019) and good scores on other classification accuracy tests show that the bioclimatic variables used to run the model were chosen correctly to make a good prediction (Table 1 and Supplementary Figure S1), which was found in accordance with earlier studies by [26,28,29]. Importantly, while working on such models’ spatial scale, selection for niche prediction are also depend upon the size and areal extent of the distribution range, which should be precisely chosen and surveyed thoroughly [34]. Thus, the reason for the extraordinarily high accuracy of MaxEnt achieved in this study could be attributed to the extensive coverage of distribution range, sampling accuracy, and site phonographic features recorded during the surveyed period. Earlier projection assessments in bamboo revealed the prediction with AUC value 0.914, 0.929, and 0.933 for presence-only data, presence and true-absence data, and presence and pseudo-absence data, respectively [35]. However, an ensembling approach and conglomeration of modelling tools has been applied for difficult mountain terrain for projecting bamboo species, where baseline climate dataset was used for model calibration. Thus, enforcing gridded datasets from observatories and satellite measurements estimated the uncertainty in species distribution exercise [36].
Further, response curves, percentage contribution and permutation importance, and the jackknife test were also used to reveal the importance of the predictors used in this study. Effective variables included Bio 15 (maximum probability of presence at 60 (p = 0.85) and 88 (p = 0.83), Prec (p = 0.94 at 115 mm and p = 0.90 at 168 mm), Bio 7 (p = 1.00 at 23.0 °C), Alt (p = 0.88 at 2850 m), Bio 2, Bio 3, Bio 13, and DNI (p = 0.85 at 17,200 Wm−2) for predicting the Th. spathiflorus distribution range in northwestern Himalayas. In comparison to Th. spathiflorus, the response curves of Oxytenanthera abyssinica demonstrated that the most significant factors defining the habitat suitability range are the precipitation of the coldest quarter (Bio 19), the precipitation of the warmest quarter (Bio 18), iso-thermality (Bio 3), the precipitation of the driest quarter (Bio 17), slope, and precipitation seasonality (Bio 15) [37]. It suggests that the precipitation fluctuation plays a crucial role in predicting the habitat suitability of high-altitude bamboos. In another ENM-based study [38], temperature was suggested an important variable influencing horizontal and vertical expansion of invasive bamboo species of Japan, such as Phyllostachys edulis and P. bambusoides. An earlier study [39] used a combined modeling approach to employ a distribution model of species, with bamboo suitability as one of the factors, along with other bioclimatic variables (AUC = 0.932). The bamboo suitability model consistently does a better job than the bioclimatic and combined models at predicting the growth of Ailuropoda melanoleuca (Giant Panda) in the Qinling Mountains (China). Similar ENM studies were also performed in other plant species like S. purpurea in the Tibetan plateau [40] and Rhododendron ponticum in the United Kingdom [41]. These studies signify that the temperature and rainfall extremes are the key climatic regimes of the mountain region and had a strong influence over the suitability of vegetation as well as wildlife there.
4.2. Eco-Distribution Mapping and Estimation of Area Cover under Th. spathiflorus
The eco-distribution mapping revealed probabilistic distribution of species in both the states of northwestern Himalayas with estimated area occupancy of ~982 km2. Across the districts, maximum area under species was recorded in Uttarkashi (UK; ~265 km2) and minimum for Chamba (HP; ~10 km2). Altitudinally, maximum probability of species distribution was recorded between the altitudinal range of 2501 and 3000 m, which sharply declined above and below (Table 4). In Nepal’s Himalayas, a study concluded that the strongest predictors of red panda distribution were tree and bamboo cover, proximity to water bodies, and aspect. The presence of bamboos was observed in 85% of sign plots, as the majority of hilly bamboos are often associated with Ailurus fulgens (Red Panda) [42]. The genetic database and ENM tools were recently employed to investigate two bamboo partridges (Chinese and Taiwanese). The results indicated that the habitats were highly conserved and shared an overlapping distribution range during the evolutionary time period [43]. Therefore, the significant increase in bamboo-covered land may correlate with the distribution of faunal life, and the opposite may also hold true. The ENM has been widely used recently for predicting habitat suitability and climate change scenarios in Himalayan species, such as Guadua angustifolia [44], Myrica esculenta [45], Quercus lanata [46], Quercus semecarpifolia [47], Rhododendron arboreum [48], etc.
The current study revealed a strident decline of 1.66% and 4.70% for future RCP 8.5 scenario during 2050 and 2070, respectively. Importantly, an overall eastern by northward shift has been predicted for centroid location of distribution. Contrarily to our findings, the back-propagation neural network (BPNN), Markov chain, and cellular automata (CA) coupling model showed an expansion trend for bamboo forest, especially in the cultivated land of Anji County (Zhejiang Province, China) under RCP 2.6, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5 [49]. Overall, in China, potential distribution of bamboo showed an expansion of ~91,500 km2 from 1961 to 2099 by using a support vector machine (SVM) model for climate change scenarios [35]. In a study conducted on an Ethiopian bamboo Oxytenanthera abyssinica, it was observed that the total area of high-potential regions will increase and least-potential regions would decrease under the future climate change scenarios of three RCPs (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5) during the 2050s and 2070s [37]. These data suggested that high-altitude alpine bamboo Th. spathiflorus may be considered as a climatic indicator among the herbaceous species. For a better understanding of the potential habitat suitability distribution of Th. spathiflorus, this current investigation utilized MIROC6-SSP245 for the scenarios 2021–2040 and 2061–2080, according to the future RCP 8.5 scenario outputs for 2050 and 2070, which declined due to climate shift as well as the habitat suitability zones to ~950 km2 in 2021–2040 and then to ~928 km2 in 2061–2080.
Further, overlaying of estimated distribution over KGCC allowed for delineating the area occupancy divided into six major climatic classes. The KGCC aggregates complex climate gradients into a simpler one by accounting of ecologically meaningful schemes [50], and is used to analyze the distribution [51,52,53], growth behavior of species [54], and setting-up of dynamic global vegetation models [55]. It was observed that the highest estimated area cover was demarcated in “Cwb” zone, which has been characterized as a highland type of climate with temperature of hottest month < 22 °C, cold and dry winters, and warm and wet summer. These climatic scenarios prevailed in the upper ridges of districts Shimla, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, Chamoli, and Pithoragarh in the middle Himalayas, where the winters are long, dry, and severely cold while, the summers are short and cold. Likewise, subarctic climate (Dwc) was predominated in Pithoragarh where winters are long and cold with short and mild summer. Furthermore, tundra-type climate (ET) also occurs in Karanadam Bugyal (alpine meadow) in Pithoragarh, where summers are very short and cold with the temperature of warmest month lying between 0 and 10 °C. Herein, the effective use of KGCC was recognized for Th. spathiflorus distribution in northwestern Himalayas, which tends to reflect those climatic data, being the major driver of global vegetation distribution [30,56,57].
5. Limitations of the Model and Study
The MaxEnt model protocol handles massive number of datasets at once, which might cause data handling, generalization, and interpretation concerns. It also requires a lot of storage and fast computers. Two protected regions and challenging terrain states (HP and UK) provided data for this investigation. Ground surveys and data collection require permission, which were generally tough across the terrain. Therefore, we skipped several sites in the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas. It requires ground-based occurrence data and secondary data on forest types, forest cover, soil, climate, and environmental variables, all of which have varying spatial resolution. The number of variables boosts model accuracy, but too much spatial heterogeneity can mislead the model. The processes of collecting field data through sample and survey, acquiring RS and agency-specific categorical data, and other related tasks are time-consuming, costly, and necessitate the involvement of expert individuals. When there are insufficient species data to generate precise maps or extrapolations of species distribution, experts design SDMs. However, theoretical issues and poor research have reduced SDM outputs, decision-making, and environmental licensing. It is challenging to compare MaxEnt results with other algorithms because they provide environmental appropriateness and suitability for bamboos and other grass species, which are located beneath the canopy, thereby reducing the projected likelihood of occurrence. Instead of comprehensive field surveys and estimations, MaxEnt’s logistic output is based on the prevalence assumption for environmental appropriateness.
6. Conclusions
This study presents a high-confidence potential distribution map of Th. spathiflorus in northwestern Himalayas for the present and future climatic scenario and provides an estimation of the area cover under the species. This is pioneering information generated for the mapping and area cover of this high-altitude bamboo species from the Himalayas, which could be wisely utilized by the forest managers and conservationists. This study provided a fair idea of the important bioclimatic variables associated with the habitat suitability of this species, which is immensely important to understanding the ecological niche of the high-altitude bamboos of the Himalayas. Lastly, future climate change scenarios indicated a habitat shrinkage and range shift (eastern by northward) in the investigated bamboo species.
Conceptualization, R.K.M., M.S.B., P.K.T., S.P. and R.K.; methodology, R.K.M., M.S.B., P.K.T., S.P., R.K., N.N. and R.S.; software, R.K.M., M.S.B. and P.K.T.; validation, R.K.M., M.S.B., P.K.T., S.P., R.K., N.N. and R.S.; formal analysis R.K.M., M.S.B., P.K.T., S.P., R.K., N.N. and R.S.; investigation, R.K.M., M.S.B. and P.K.T.; resources, R.K.M., M.S.B., P.K.T., S.P., N.S. and R.A.; data curation, R.K.M., M.S.B., P.K.T., S.P., R.K., N.N. and R.S.; writing—original draft preparation, R.K.M., M.S.B., P.K.T., S.P., R.K., N.N. and R.S.; writing—review and editing, R.K.M., M.S.B., P.K.T., S.P., R.K., N.N., R.S., N.S. and R.A.; visualization, R.K.M., M.S.B., P.K.T., S.P., R.K., N.N. and R.S.; supervision, R.K.M., M.S.B., P.K.T., S.P., R.K., N.N. and R.S.; project administration, R.K.M., M.S.B., P.K.T., S.P., R.K., N.N. and R.S.; funding acquisition, N.S. and R.A. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors on request.
We thank the director of ICFRE-Forest Research Institute, Dehradun and the director of ICFRE Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla for providing laboratory and field facilities. The officials of forest departments of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are also duly acknowledged for their assistance and permissions in surveying and sample collection from their jurisdictional forest area.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Footnotes
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.
Figure 1. The response curves of bioclimatic layers influenced the habitat suitability for the current climate scenario: (a) Bio 2 (annual mean diurnal range); (b) Bio 3 (iso-thermality); (c) Bio 4 (temperature seasonality); (d) Bio 7 (annual temperature range (Bio 5–Bio 6); (e) Bio 9 (mean temperature of driest quarter); (f) Bio 13 (precipitation of wettest month); (g) Bio 15 (Precipitation Seasonality); (h) Bio 16 (precipitation of wettest quarter); (i) Alt (altitude); (j) Slop (slope); (k) Asp (aspect); (l) DNI (direct normal irradiance); and (m) Prec (precipitation).
Figure 2. SENTINEL showing preliminary data information and predicted distribution of Th. spathiflorus for current scenario in northwestern Himalayas.
Figure 3. SENTINEL showing predicted distribution of Th. spathiflorus for current and the future scenarios (2050 and 2070 for RCP 8.5) in northwestern Himalayas.
Figure 4. ArcGIS high-resolution base map showing predicted distribution of Th. spathiflorus for MIROC6-SSP245 future scenarios 2021–2040 and 2061–2080 in northwestern Himalayas.
Figure 5. Overlaying of current MaxEnt output over Köppen–Geiger climatic classification map of NW Himalayas. Where Cwa—warm temperate–winter dry–hot summer; Cwb—warm temperate–winter dry–warm summer; Dfc—snow–fully humid–cool summer; Dwb—snow–winter dry–warm summer; Dwc—snow–winter dry–cool summer; and ET—polar tundra.
Statistical measures of model performance and accuracy.
Measure | Calculated Value | Range Alongside a Description | Interpretation |
---|---|---|---|
AUC | 0.975 ± 0.019 | 0–1; | Excellent |
Kappa (K) | 0.391 | −1 to +1; | Near to good agreement |
Normalized Mutual Information (NMI) n(s) | 0.611 | 0 to 1; | Good prediction |
True Skill Statistic (TSS) | 0.763 | −1 to +1, | Performance is better than the random model |
The percentage contribution of environmental factors.
Label | Variable | Scaling Factor | Units | Percent Contribution | Permutation Importance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bio 1 | Annual Mean Temperature | 10 | °C | - | - |
Bio 2 | Annual Mean Diurnal Range | 10 | °C | 5.9 | 1.7 |
Bio 3 | Iso-thermality [(Bio 2/Bio 7) × 100] | 100 | °C | 5.1 | 2.1 |
Bio 4 | Temperature Seasonality | 100 | C of V | 2.9 | 0.6 |
Bio 5 | Max. Temperature of Warmest Month | 10 | °C | - | - |
Bio 6 | Min. Temperature of Coldest Month | 10 | °C | - | - |
Bio 7 | Annual Temperature Range | 10 | °C | 12.8 | 13.4 |
Bio 8 | Mean Temperature of Wettest Quarter | 10 | °C | ||
Bio 9 | Mean Temperature of Driest Quarter | 10 | °C | 2.0 | 14.3 |
Bio 10 | Mean Temperature of Warmest Quarter | 10 | °C | - | - |
Bio 11 | Mean Temperature of Coldest Quarter | 10 | °C | - | - |
Bio 12 | Annual Precipitation | 1 | mm | - | - |
Bio 13 | Precipitation of Wettest Month | 1 | mm | 3.2 | 11.3 |
Bio 14 | Precipitation of Driest Month | 1 | mm | ||
Bio 15 | Precipitation Seasonality | 100 | C of V | 29.5 | 10.3 |
Bio 16 | Precipitation of Wettest Quarter | 1 | mm | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Bio 17 | Precipitation of Driest Quarter | 1 | mm | - | - |
Bio 18 | Precipitation of Warmest Quarter | 1 | mm | - | - |
Bio 19 | Precipitation of Coldest Quarter | 1 | mm | - | - |
Alt | Altitude | m | 9.8 | 14.4 | |
Slop | Slope | ° | 3.0 | 0.6 | |
Asp | Aspect | ° | 1.9 | 0.3 | |
DNI | Direct Normal irradiance | 3.6 | 6.7 | ||
Prec | Precipitation | mm | 20.1 | 22.8 | |
Tav | Average temperature | °C | - | - | |
Tmax | Maximum temperature | °C | - | - | |
Tmin | Minimum temperature | °C | - | - | |
Vap | Vapor | mm | - | - | |
Wind | Wind | m/s | - | - |
Note: The MaxEnt program used a multi-collinearity test to select the highlighted (bold) bioclimatic variables for potential suitability modeling.
Geographic details of the surveyed sites, along with their associated species and status.
Sr. No. | Districts | Geospatial Data | Geo-Coordinates Recorded Areas | Associated Species | Population Distribution | Population |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State: Himachal Pradesh (HP) | ||||||
1. | Kullu | 31⁰52′47.9″ | Kokhan Wildlife Sanctuary | Acer spp., C. jacquemontii, Myrica esculenta, Pinus wallichiana, Quercus spp., Rhododendron arboreum | Random | Healthy |
2. | Shimla | 31°15.044′ | Hatu | Abies pindrow, Acer spp., Corylus jacquemontii, Junglans sp., M. esculenta, Picea smithiana, P. wallichiana, Quercus spp., R. arboreum, Taxus wallichiana | Random | Healthy |
31°18.645′ | Rampur | Random | Healthy | |||
State: Uttarakhand (UK) | ||||||
1. | Bageshwar | 30°12′26.5″ | Sunderdhunga | Trees: Q. foribunda, Q. semecarpifolia, R. arboreum, R. barbatum, | Uniform | Healthy |
2. | Chamoli | 30°41′21.41″ | Ghangaria | Trees: A. pindrow, Acer spp., Betula alnoides, C. jacquemontii, Q. foribunda, Q. semecarpifolia, R. arboreum, R. barbatum, R. campanulatum, T. wallichiana, | Random | Disturbed |
30°28′12.81″ | Chopta-Tungnath | Uniform | Pristine | |||
3. | Dehradun | 31°3′ 36.9″ | Morach, Chakrata | Trees: A. pindrow, Juglans sp., P. smithiana, Q. semecarpifolia, R. arboreum, T. wallichiana, | Random | Reduced |
4. | Pithoragarh | 29°59′01’6″ 80°38′55.80″ | Narayan Ashram, Dharchula | Trees: A. pindrow, Acer spp., Q. semecarpifolia, R. arboreum, T. wallichiana, Tsuga dumosa | Uniform | Healthy |
30°01′41.20″ | Karandam Bugyal, Dharchula | Uniform | Pristine | |||
30°10′06.19″ | Darma valley, Dharchulla | Uniform | Healthy | |||
5. | Rudraprayag | 30°37′31.5″ | Triyuginaraya | A. pindrow, Acer spp., B. alnoides, B. wallichiana, Carpinus viminea, C. jacquemontii, Fraxinus micrantha, Q. foribunda, Q. semecarpifolia, | Random | Healthy |
Agustayamuni | R. arboreum, R. barbatum, T. wallichiana | Random | Healthy | |||
6. | Tehri | 30°41′10.2″ 78°40′12.5″ | Pinsw | A. pindrow, Acer spp., Q. semecarpifolia, R. arboreum, T. wallichiana | Random | Reduced |
7. | Uttarkashi | 30°58′54.1″ | Yamunotri | A. pindrow, Acer spp., B. alnoides, B. utilis, Q. semecarpifolia, R. arboreum, R. barbatum, T. wallichiana | Uniform | Healthy |
31°07′18.5″ | Har-ki-Do | A. pindrow, Acer spp., B. alnoides, B. wallichiana, C. viminea, C. jacquemontii, F. micrantha, Q. foribunda, Q. semecarpifolia, R. arboreum, T. wallichiana | Uniform | Pristine |
Estimated area under Th. spathiflorus in northwestern Himalayas revealed through MaxEnt modelling.
Sr. No. | Districts | Geographical Area | Forest Cover | Estimated Area | Estimated Area % | Estimated |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State: Himachal Pradesh | ||||||
1. | Bilaspur | 1167 | 380.70 | - | - | - |
2. | Chamba | 6522 | 2455.16 | 10.03 | 0.41 | 0.15 |
3. | Hamirpur | 1118 | 354.90 | - | - | - |
4. | Kangra | 5739 | 2354.19 | - | - | - |
5. | Kinnaur | 6401 | 645.99 | - | - | - |
6. | Kullu | 5503 | 1976.29 | 15.43 | 0.78 | 0.28 |
7. | Lahaul & Spiti | 13,841 | 160.35 | - | - | - |
8. | Mandi | 3950 | 1773.02 | 37.82 | 2.13 | 0.96 |
9. | Shimla | 5131 | 2419.41 | 213.05 | 8.81 | 4.15 |
10. | Sirmaur | 2825 | 1390.87 | - | - | - |
11. | Solan | 1936 | 890.29 | - | - | - |
12. | Una | 1540 | 632.35 | - | - | - |
Total | 55,673 | 15,433.52 | 276.33 | 1.79 | 0.50 | |
State: Uttarakhand | ||||||
1. | Almora | 3144 | 1718 | - | - | - |
2. | Bageshwar | 2241 | 1261 | 34.33 | 2.72 | 1.53 |
3. | Chamoli | 8030 | 2709 | 141.26 | 5.21 | 1.76 |
4. | Champawat | 1766 | 1224 | - | - | - |
5. | Dehradun | 3088 | 1605 | - | - | - |
6. | Haridwar | 2360 | 588 | - | - | |
7. | Nainital | 4251 | 3048 | - | - | - |
8. | Pauri | 5329 | 3394 | - | - | - |
9. | Pithoragarh | 7090 | 2078 | 152.07 | 7.32 | 2.14 |
10. | Rudraprayag | 1984 | 1141 | 96.72 | 8.48 | 4.88 |
11. | Tehri | 3642 | 2065 | 16.08 | 0.78 | 0.44 |
12. | Udham Singh Nagar | 2542 | 436 | - | - | - |
13. | Uttarkashi | 8016 | 3028 | 265.00 | 8.75 | 3.31 |
Total | 53,483 | 24,295 | 705.46 | 2.90 | 1.31 | |
Grand total | 109,156 | 39,728.52 | 981.79 | 2.47 | 0.90 |
Current distribution centroid point shifting analysis with RCP 8.5 of 2050 and 2070 for Th. spathiflorus in northwestern Himalayas, where EbN = east by north.
Sr. No. | Factors | Current | 2050 | 2070 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Himachal Pradesh | ||||
1 | Long–Lat | 77°25′01.78″ E 31°12′18.60″ N | 77°27′34.60″ E 31°12′45.21″ N | 77°28′01.70″ E 31°12′16.46″ N |
2 | Direction/degree (°) | 0 | EbN (83°) | East (90°) |
3 | Distance (km) | 0 | 4.1 | 4.77 |
4 | Area (km2) | 276.33 | 262.37 | 246.23 |
Uttarakhand | ||||
1 | Long–Lat | 79°10′04.37″ E 30°36′40.67″ N | 79°12′26.31″ E 30°36′56.71″ N | 79°12′32.59″ E 30°36′52.71″ N |
2 | Direction/degree (°) | 0 | EbN (85°) | East (88°) |
3 | Distance (km) | 0 | 3.78 | 3.97 |
4 | Area (km2) | 705.46 | 703.12 | 689.38 |
Combined for both the states | ||||
1 | Long–Lat | 78°43′19.28″ E 30°45′54.33″ N | 78°47′26.38″ E 30°46′48.61″ N | 78°47′58.24″ E 30°45′46.78″ N |
2 | Direction/degree (°) | 0 | EbN (88°) | East (91°) |
3 | Distance (Km) | 0 | 5.74 | 6.4 |
4 | Area (km2) | 981.79 | 965.49 | 935.61 |
Supplementary Materials
The following supporting information can be downloaded at:
References
1. Bystriakova, N.; Kapos, V.; Lysenko, I. Bamboo Biodiversity: Africa, Madagascar and the Americas. Bamboo Biodivers.; 2004; 45, 88. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6346.2008.01593.x]
2. Clark, L.G. Bamboos: The Centrepiece of the Grass Family; 46th ed. Chapman, G.P. Academic Press for the Linnean Society of London, Department of Botany, University of Iowa: Ames, IA, USA, 1997; ISBN 0-12-168555-1
3. Pragya,; Kumar, M.; Tiwari, A.; Majid, S.I.; Bhadwal, S.; Sahu, N.; Verma, N.K.; Tripathi, D.K.; Avtar, R. Integrated spatial analysis of forest fire susceptibility in the indian Western Himalayas (IWH) using remote sensing and GIS-based fuzzy AHP approach. Remote Sens.; 2023; 15, 4701. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs15194701]
4. Valen, V.; Valen, V. Species Concepts and the Definition of “Species”. Ecology and Conservation of Mini-Antelope: Proceedings of an International Symposium on Duiker and Dwarf Antelope in Africa; Plowman, A. Filander: Fürth, Germany, 2003; pp. 59-118.
5. Williams, C.; Tiwari, S.K.; Goswami, V.R.; De Silva, S.; Kumar, A.; Baskaran, N.; Yoganand, K.; Menon, V. Elephas maximus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Elephas Maximus; 2020; 2020, pp. 1-29.
6. IGCP. Mountain Gorillas, Some Social and Biological Data; Taylor, A.B.; Goldsmith, M.L. Cambridge University Press: New York, NY, USA, 2003.
7. Nawaz, M.A.; Martin, J.; Swenson, J.E. Identifying Key Habitats to Conserve the Threatened Brown Bear in the Himalaya. Biol. Conserv.; 2014; 170, pp. 198-206. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2013.12.031]
8. Bystriakova, N.; Kapos, V. Bamboo Diversity: The Need for a Red List Review. Biodiversity; 2006; 6, pp. 12-16. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14888386.2005.9712780]
9. Banik, R.L. Silviculture of South Asian Priority Bamboos; Tropical Forestry Springer: Singapore, 2016; ISBN 978-981-10-0568-8
10. Sillero, N. What Does Ecological Modelling Model? A Proposed Classification of Ecological Niche Models Based on Their Underlying Methods. Ecol. Modell.; 2011; 222, pp. 1343-1346. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2011.01.018]
11. Warren, D.L. In Defense of ‘Niche Modeling’. Trends Ecol. Evol.; 2012; 27, pp. 497-500. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2012.03.010] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22537668]
12. Peterson, A.T. Predicting the Geography of Species’ Invasions via Ecological Niche Modeling. Q. Rev. Biol.; 2003; 78, pp. 419-433. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1086/378926]
13. Peterson, A.T.; Robins, C.R. Using Ecological-Niche Modeling to Predict Barred Owl Invasions with Implications for Spotted Owl Conservation. Conserv. Biol.; 2003; 17, pp. 1161-1165. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.2003.02206.x]
14. Holt, R.D.; Gaines, M.S. Analysis of Adaptation in Heterogeneous Landscapes: Implications for the Evolution of Fundamental Niches. Evol. Ecol.; 1992; 6, pp. 433-447. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02270702]
15. Jayaraman, K. A Statistical Manual for Forestry Research; Kerala Forest Research Institute: Kerala, India, 2000.
16. Rocchini, D.; Hortal, J.; Lengyel, S.; Lobo, J.M.; Jiménez-Valverde, A.; Ricotta, C.; Bacaro, G.; Chiarucci, A. Accounting for Uncertainty When Mapping Species Distributions: The Need for Maps of Ignorance. Prog. Phys. Geogr. Earth Environ.; 2011; 35, pp. 211-226. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0309133311399491]
17. Hijmans, R.J.; Cameron, S.E.; Parra, J.L.; Jones, P.G.; Jarvis, A. Very High-Resolution Interpolated Climate Surfaces for Global Land Areas. Int. J. Climatol.; 2005; 25, pp. 1965-1978. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/joc.1276]
18. Phillips, S.J.; Anderson, R.P.; Schapire, R.E. Maximum Entropy Modeling of Species Geographic Distributions. Ecol. Modell.; 2006; 190, pp. 231-259. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2005.03.026]
19. Elith, J.; Phillips, S.J.; Hastie, T.; Dudík, M.; Chee, Y.E.; Yates, C.J. A Statistical Explanation of MaxEnt for Ecologists. Divers. Distrib.; 2011; 17, pp. 43-57. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4642.2010.00725.x]
20. Phillips, S.J.; Anderson, R.P.; Dudík, M.; Schapire, R.E.; Blair, M.E. Opening the Black Box: An Open-source Release of Maxent. Ecography; 2017; 40, pp. 887-893. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ecog.03049]
21. Young, N.; Carter, L.; Evangelista, P.; Jarnevich, C. A MaxEnt Model v3.3.3e Tutorial (ArcGIS V10); Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University and the National Institute of Invasive Species Science: Fort Collins, CO, USA, 2011; pp. 1-30.
22. Swets, J.A. Measuring the Accuracy of Diagnostic Systems. Science; 1988; 240, pp. 1285-1293. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.3287615] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3287615]
23. Gassó, N.; Thuiller, W.; Pino, J.; Vilà, M. Potential Distribution Range of Invasive Plant Species in Spain. NeoBiota; 2012; 12, pp. 25-40. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.12.2341]
24. Scott, A.J.; Hosmer, D.W.; Lemeshow, S. Applied Logistic Regression. Biometrics; 1991; 47, 1632. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2532419]
25. Fielding, A.H.; Bell, J.F. A Review of Methods for the Assessment of Prediction Errors in Conservation Presence/Absence Models. Environ. Conserv.; 1997; 24, pp. 38-49. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0376892997000088]
26. Allouche, O.; Tsoar, A.; Kadmon, R. Assessing the Accuracy of Species Distribution Models: Prevalence, Kappa and the True Skill Statistic (TSS). J. Appl. Ecol.; 2006; 43, pp. 1223-1232. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2006.01214.x]
27. Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. World Map of the Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated. Meteorol. Zeitschrift; 2006; 15, pp. 259-263. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16741223]
28. Cohen, J. A Coefficient of Agreement for Nominal Scales. Educ. Psychol. Meas.; 1960; 20, pp. 37-46. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/001316446002000104]
29. Landis, J.R.; Koch, G.G. The Measurement of Observer Agreement for Categorical Data. Biometrics; 1977; 33, 159. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2529310]
30. Forbes, A.D. Classification algorithm evaluation: Five performance measures based on confusion matrices. J. Clin. Monit.; 1995; 11, pp. 189-206. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01617722] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7623060]
31. Song, X.; Zhou, G.; Jiang, H.; Yu, S.; Fu, J.; Li, W.; Wang, W.; Ma, Z.; Peng, C. Carbon Sequestration by Chinese Bamboo Forests and Their Ecological Benefits: Assessment of Potential, Problems, and Future Challenges. Environ. Rev.; 2011; 19, pp. 418-428. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1139/a11-015]
32. Wang, Y.; Xu, D.; Wang, Z.; Zhai, F. Options and Impact of China’s Pension Reform: A Computable General Equilibrium Analysis. J. Comp. Econ.; 2004; 32, pp. 105-127. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jce.2003.10.003]
33. Chen, M.; Cui, Y.; Jiang, S.; Forsell, N. Toward Carbon Neutrality before 2060: Trajectory and Technical Mitigation Potential of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Chinese Agriculture. J. Clean. Prod.; 2022; 368, 133186. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133186]
34. Connor, T.; Viña, A.; Winkler, J.A.; Hull, V.; Tang, Y.; Shortridge, A.; Yang, H.; Zhao, Z.; Wang, F.; Zhang, J. et al. Interactive Spatial Scale Effects on Species Distribution Modeling: The Case of the Giant Panda. Sci. Rep.; 2019; 9, 14563. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-50953-z]
35. Jin, J.; Jiang, H.; Xu, J.; Peng, W.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, X.; Wang, Y. Predicting the Potential Distribution of Bamboo with Species Distribution Models. Proceedings of the 2012 20th International Conference on Geoinformatics; Hong Kong, China, 15–17 June 2012; pp. 1-4.
36. Tang, Y.; Winkler, J.A.; Viña, A.; Liu, J.; Zhang, Y.; Zhang, X.; Li, X.; Wang, F.; Zhang, J.; Zhao, Z. Uncertainty of Future Projections of Species Distributions in Mountainous Regions. PLoS ONE; 2018; 13, e0189496. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189496]
37. Gebrewahid, Y.; Abrehe, S.; Meresa, E.; Eyasu, G.; Abay, K.; Gebreab, G.; Kidanemariam, K.; Adissu, G.; Abreha, G.; Darcha, G. Current and Future Predicting Potential Areas of Oxytenanthera Abyssinica (A. Richard) Using MaxEnt Model under Climate Change in Northern Ethiopia. Ecol. Process.; 2020; 9, 6. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13717-019-0210-8]
38. Takano, K.T.; Hibino, K.; Numata, A.; Oguro, M.; Aiba, M.; Shiogama, H.; Takayabu, I.; Nakashizuka, T. Detecting Latitudinal and Altitudinal Expansion of Invasive Bamboo Phyllostachys Edulis and Phyllostachys Bambusoides (Poaceae) in Japan to Project Potential Habitats under 1.5 °C–4.0 °C Global Warming. Ecol. Evol.; 2017; 7, pp. 9848-9859. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.3471]
39. Huang, Q.; Lothspeich, A.; Hernández-Yáñez, H.; Mertes, K.; Liu, X.; Songer, M. What Drove Giant Panda Ailuropoda Melanoleuca Expansion in the Qinling Mountains? An Analysis Comparing the Influence of Climate, Bamboo, and Various Landscape Variables in the Past Decade. Environ. Res. Lett.; 2020; 15, 084036. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab86f3]
40. Ma, B.; Sun, J. Predicting the Distribution of Stipa Purpurea across the Tibetan Plateau via the MaxEnt Model. BMC Ecol.; 2018; 18, 10. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12898-018-0165-0] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29466976]
41. Manzoor, S.A.; Griffiths, G.; Lukac, M. Species Distribution Model Transferability and Model Grain Size—Finer May Not Always Be Better. Sci. Rep.; 2018; 8, 7168. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-25437-1] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29740002]
42. Shrestha, S.; Thapa, A.; Bista, D.; Robinson, N.; Sherpa, A.P.; Acharya, K.P.; Jnawali, S.R.; Lama, S.T.; Lama, S. Distribution and Habitat Attributes Associated with the Himalayan Red Panda in the Westernmost Distribution Range. Ecol. Evol.; 2021; 11, pp. 4023-4034. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7297] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33976791]
43. Wang, P.; Yeh, C.; Chang, J.; Yao, H.; Fu, Y.; Yao, C.; Wang, X.; Li, S.; Zhang, Z. Multilocus Phylogeography and Ecological Niche Modeling Suggest Speciation with Gene Flow between the Two Bamboo Partridges. Avian Res.; 2021; 12, 17. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40657-021-00252-x]
44. Jagadish, M.R.; Viswanath, S.; Shiva Prakash, K.N.; Ravikanth, G.; Rathore, T.S. Ecological niche modelling for prioritizing areas for domestication of introduced bamboo species in India. Proceedings of the 10th World Bamboo Congress; Damyang, Republic of Korea, 17–22 September 2015.
45. Shankhwar, R.; Bhandari, M.S.; Meena, R.K.; Shekhar, C.; Pandey, V.V.; Saxena, J.; Kant, R.; Barthwal, S.; Naithani, H.B.; Pandey, S. et al. Potential Eco-Distribution Mapping of Myrica Esculenta in Northwestern Himalayas. Ecol. Eng.; 2019; 128, pp. 98-111. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2019.01.003]
46. Bhandari, M.S.; Meena, R.K.; Shankhwar, R.; Pandey, S.; Kant, R.; Barthwal, S.; Ginwal, H.S. Global Warming Scenario Depicts Enhanced Spatial Distribution of Quercus Lanata in the Western Himalayas. Int. J. Glob. Warm.; 2020; 22, 255. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJGW.2020.110861]
47. Shekhar, C.; Ginwal, H.S.; Meena, R.K.; Shankhwar, R.; Martins-Ferreira, M.A.C.; Pandey, S.; Barthwal, S.; Bhandari, M.S. Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Broad-Leaved Quercus Semecarpifolia Indicates Altitudinal Shift in Northwestern Himalayas. Plant Ecol.; 2022; 223, pp. 671-697. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11258-022-01240-x]
48. Bhandari, M.S.; Meena, R.K.; Shankhwar, R.; Shekhar, C.; Saxena, J.; Kant, R.; Pandey, V.V.; Barthwal, S.; Pandey, S.; Chandra, G. et al. Prediction Mapping Through Maxent Modeling Paves the Way for the Conservation of Rhododendron Arboreum in Uttarakhand Himalayas. J. Indian Soc. Remote Sens.; 2020; 48, pp. 411-422. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12524-019-01089-0]
49. Huang, Z.; Du, H.; Li, X.; Zhang, M.; Mao, F.; Zhu, D.; He, S.; Liu, H. Spatiotemporal LUCC Simulation under Different RCP Scenarios Based on the BPNN_CA_Markov Model: A Case Study of Bamboo Forest in Anji County. ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf.; 2020; 9, 718. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijgi9120718]
50. Beck, H.E.; Zimmermann, N.E.; McVicar, T.R.; Vergopolan, N.; Berg, A.; Wood, E.F. Present and Future Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification Maps at 1-Km Resolution. Sci. Data; 2018; 5, 180214. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sdata.2018.214]
51. Webber, B.L.; Yates, C.J.; Le Maitre, D.C.; Scott, J.K.; Kriticos, D.J.; Ota, N.; McNeill, A.; Le Roux, J.J.; Midgley, G.F. Modelling Horses for Novel Climate Courses: Insights from Projecting Potential Distributions of Native and Alien Australian Acacias with Correlative and Mechanistic Models. Divers. Distrib.; 2011; 17, pp. 978-1000. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4642.2011.00811.x]
52. Brugger, K.; Rubel, F. Characterizing the Species Composition of European Culicoides Vectors by Means of the Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification. Parasit. Vectors; 2013; 6, 333. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-6-333]
53. Tererai, F.; Wood, A.R. On the Present and Potential Distribution of Ageratina Adenophora (Asteraceae) in South Africa. S. Afr. J. Bot.; 2014; 95, pp. 152-158. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2014.09.001]
54. Tarkan, A.S.; Vilizzi, L. Patterns, Latitudinal Clines and Countergradient Variation in the Growth of Roach Rutilus Rutilus (Cyprinidae) in Its Eurasian Area of Distribution. Rev. Fish Biol. Fish.; 2015; 25, pp. 587-602. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11160-015-9398-6]
55. Poulter, B.; Ciais, P.; Hodson, E.; Lischke, H.; Maignan, F.; Plummer, S.; Zimmermann, N.E. Plant Functional Type Mapping for Earth System Models. Geosci. Model Dev.; 2011; 4, pp. 993-1010. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5194/gmd-4-993-2011]
56. Woodward, F.I. Climate and Plant Distribution; Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK, 1987.
57. Yang, Y.; Donohue, R.J.; McVicar, T.R.; Roderick, M.L. An Analytical Model for Relating Global Terrestrial Carbon Assimilation with Climate and Surface Conditions Using a Rate Limitation Framework. Geophys. Res. Lett.; 2015; 42, pp. 9825-9835. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2015GL066835]
You have requested "on-the-fly" machine translation of selected content from our databases. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. Show full disclaimer
Neither ProQuest nor its licensors make any representations or warranties with respect to the translations. The translations are automatically generated "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" and are not retained in our systems. PROQUEST AND ITS LICENSORS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES FOR AVAILABILITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, NON-INFRINGMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Your use of the translations is subject to all use restrictions contained in your Electronic Products License Agreement and by using the translation functionality you agree to forgo any and all claims against ProQuest or its licensors for your use of the translation functionality and any output derived there from. Hide full disclaimer
© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.
Abstract
Thamnocalamus spathiflorus is a shrubby woody bamboo invigorating at the alpine and sub-alpine region of the northwestern Himalayas. The present investigation was conducted to map the potential distribution of Th. spathiflorus in the western Himalayas for current and future climate scenario using Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM). In total, 125 geo-coordinates were collected for the species presence from Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Uttarakhand (UK) states of India and modelled to predict the current distribution using the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model, along with 13 bioclimatic variables selected after multi-collinearity test. Model output was supported with a significant value of the Area Under the “Receiver Operating Characteristics” Curve (AUC = 0.975 ± 0.019), and other confusion matrix-derived accuracy measures. The variables, namely precipitation seasonality (Bio 15), precipitation (Prec), annual temperature range (Bio 7), and altitude (Alt) showed highest level of percentage contribution (72.2%) and permutation importance (60.9%) in predicting the habitat suitability of Th. spathiflorus. The actual (1 km2 buffer zone) and predicted estimates of species cover were ~136 km2 and ~982 km2, respectively. The predicted range was extended from Chamba (HP) in the north to Pithoragarh (UK) in southeast, which further protracted to Nepal. Furthermore, the distribution modelling under future climate change scenarios (RCP 8.5) for year 2050 and 2070 showed an eastern centroidal shift with slight decline of the species area by ~16 km2 and ~46 km2, respectively. This investigation employed the Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate (MIROC6)–shared socio-economics pathways (SSP245) for cross-validation purposes. The model was used to determine the habitat suitability and potential distribution of Th. spathiflorus in relation to the current distribution and RCP 8.5 future scenarios for the years 2021–2040 and 2061–2080, respectively. It showed a significant decline in the distribution area of the species between year 2030 and 2070. Overall, this is the pioneer study revealing the eco-distribution prediction modelling of this important high-altitude bamboo species.
You have requested "on-the-fly" machine translation of selected content from our databases. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. Show full disclaimer
Neither ProQuest nor its licensors make any representations or warranties with respect to the translations. The translations are automatically generated "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" and are not retained in our systems. PROQUEST AND ITS LICENSORS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES FOR AVAILABILITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, NON-INFRINGMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Your use of the translations is subject to all use restrictions contained in your Electronic Products License Agreement and by using the translation functionality you agree to forgo any and all claims against ProQuest or its licensors for your use of the translation functionality and any output derived there from. Hide full disclaimer
Details




1 Genetics and Tree Improvement Division, ICFRE-Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248195, Uttarakhand, India;
2 Forest Ecology & Climate Change Division, ICFRE-Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla 171013, Himachal Pradesh, India;
3 Forest Pathology Discipline, Forest Protection Division, ICFRE-Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248006, Uttarakhand, India;
4 Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education, Dehradun 248006, Uttarakhand, India;
5 Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India;
6 Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan