Predictions of the Potential Geographical Distribution and Quality of a Gynostemma pentaphyllum Base on the Fuzzy Matter Element Model in China

Zefang Zhao, Yanlong Guo, Haiyan Wei, Qiao Ran and Wei Gu
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Zefang Zhao: School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China
Yanlong Guo: School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China
Haiyan Wei: School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China
Qiao Ran: School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China
Wei Gu: National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: Specific spatial information about medicinal plants is becoming an increasingly important part of their conservation. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino is a traditional Chinese medical plant, and gypenosides is one of the main active components of G. pentaphyllum . In our research, many samples of G. pentaphyllum and the data of gypenosides content in these samples were collected from 43 sampling sites, and based on the Fuzzy Matter Element model (FME), the relationships between gypenosides content and 19 environmental variables were established. Then, the maximum entropy model was used to determine the relative importance of each environmental variable, and thus determine the most limiting habitat criteria. Finally, the weighted average method was applied to determine the potential distribution of G. pentaphyllum in China, which was based on the content of gypenosides. The results showed that the areas of marginally suitable and suitable habitats for G. pentaphyllum in China were approximately 1.2 × 10 6 km 2 and 0.3 × 10 6 km 2 , respectively. The suitable habitats were mainly located in southern China, including Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing, Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Shaanxi, and other regions. In conclusion, the FME model could accurately evaluate the habitat suitability of G. pentaphyllum , quantify the area of a suitable habitat, and analyze the spatial distribution.

Keywords: Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino; Fuzzy Matter Element model; gypenosides; GIS; membership function; habitat suitability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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