Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology

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Niknaddaf Z, Matinkhah S H, Behzadi S. Modeling the Potential Distribution of Two Amygdalus Tree Species in Lorestan Province, Iran. Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology 2026; 15 (1) :1-14
URL: http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-1290-en.html

Understanding plant species distribution patterns and the environmental factors influencing them is essential for conserving and sustainably managing natural ecosystems. This study aimed to model habitat suitability and identify environmental factors influencing the distribution of Amygdalus scoparia and Amygdalus orientalis in Lorestan Province, Iran. Potential habitat suitability was modeled using the MaxEnt algorithm and environmental variables. The results showed that 23.5% and 28.5% of the province were highly suitable for A. scoparia and A. orientalis, respectively. Suitable habitats for A. scoparia were concentrated in the southern, southeastern, and central parts of the province, particularly at moderate elevations and on gentle slopes, whereas those for A. orientalis were more widely distributed across the northern and central parts, mainly at intermediate to relatively high elevations. AUC values were 0.88 for A. scoparia and 0.87 for A. orientalis, while the TSS value was 0.86 for both species, indicating satisfactory model performance. Although topographic variables were important for both species, other environmental factors differed in their contributions. A. orientalis exhibited a narrower ecological range. These findings provide a scientific basis for species-specific conservation planning in Lorestan Province