Predicting suitable habitats of Melia azedarach L. in China using data mining

Abstract

Melia azedarach L. is an important economic tree widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of China and some other countries. However, it is unclear how the species’ suitable habitat will respond to future climate changes. We aimed to select the most accurate one among seven data mining models to predict the current and future suitable habitats for M. azedarach in China. These models include: maximum entropy (MaxEnt), support vector machine (SVM), generalized linear model (GLM), random forest (RF), naive bayesian model (NBM), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and gradient boosting machine (GBM). A total of 906 M. azedarach locations were identified, and sixteen climate predictors were used for model building. The models’ validity was assessed using three measures (Area Under the Curves (AUC), kappa, and overall accuracy (OA)). We found that the RF provided the most outstanding performance in prediction power and generalization capacity. The top climate factors affecting the species’ suitable habitats were mean coldest month temperature (MCMT), followed by the number of frost-free days (NFFD), degree-days above 18 °C (DD > 18), temperature difference between MWMT and MCMT, or continentality (TD), mean annual precipitation (MAP), and degree-days below 18 °C (DD < 18). We projected that future suitable habitat of this species would increase under both the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios for the 2011–2040 (2020s), 2041–2070 (2050s), and 2071–2100 (2080s). Our findings are expected to assist in better understanding the impact of climate change on the species and provide scientific basis for its planting and conservation.

Methylene Blue Removal by Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Obtained from Green Synthesis of Melia azedarach: Kinetic and Isotherm Studies

“…It is native to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia and has been introduced to the Kurdistan region of Iraq. This tree is excellent for urban greening as it can absorb harmful and toxic gases and is also resistant to dust and smoke [33]. Extracts from the leaves, fruits, and seeds of Melia azedarach have shown medicinal and pesticide properties against various pathogens and pests, respectively [34][35][36].…”

Inhibition of the growth of the pathogenic fungus Trichophyton rubrum by M. azedarach leaves

“…Plants are considered a repository for many effective compounds with a medicinal effect, including alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, proteins, terpenes, saponins, volatile oils and others (Qutub, 1989) [2] . The Melai azedarach tree is considered one of the most famous economic trees, which are found in tropical and subtropical regions such as China, Iraq and some other countries (Feng et al, 2022) [9] . The Melai azedarach tree is grown as a shade and ornamental tree, in addition to its use in folk medicine.…”

Phytochemical and Antioxidant Profile of the Medicinal Plant Melia azedarach Subjected to Water Deficit Conditions

“…Melia azedarach is considered a multipurpose tree native to West Asia. Still, it is nowadays cultivated in several countries (such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, East Timor, Indonesia, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Algeria, Cyprus, Greece, Argentina, China, Uganda, Kenya, Brazil, Australia, Southern France, Northern Italy, Croatia, and Portugal) with temperate to warm climates [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. However, the projected increase in the frequency of extreme weather events in many regions of the globe during this century may reshape M. azedarach future suitable habitats [ 21 ].…”

“…Still, it is nowadays cultivated in several countries (such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, East Timor, Indonesia, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Algeria, Cyprus, Greece, Argentina, China, Uganda, Kenya, Brazil, Australia, Southern France, Northern Italy, Croatia, and Portugal) with temperate to warm climates [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. However, the projected increase in the frequency of extreme weather events in many regions of the globe during this century may reshape M. azedarach future suitable habitats [ 21 ]. This species has economic interest since it produces timber of high quality, which is often used to make furniture, farm tools, boats, vehicles, plywood, toys, and musical instruments and is largely used as an ornamental tree due to its ability to withstand a wide range of climatic and soil conditions [ 18 , 21 , 22 ].…”

“…However, the projected increase in the frequency of extreme weather events in many regions of the globe during this century may reshape M. azedarach future suitable habitats [ 21 ]. This species has economic interest since it produces timber of high quality, which is often used to make furniture, farm tools, boats, vehicles, plywood, toys, and musical instruments and is largely used as an ornamental tree due to its ability to withstand a wide range of climatic and soil conditions [ 18 , 21 , 22 ]. Moreover, extracts of the different parts of this medicinal species are shown to have pharmacological and toxicological characteristics.…”