Identifying ecological distribution responses to climate change is pivotal for preserving biodiversity. Ilex macrocarpa, a deciduous tree of the Aquifoliaceae family, has considerable ecological and medicinal benefits. This study investigated the impact of climate change on the potential distribution of I. macrocarpa using MaxEnt modeling and GIS analysis. We analyzed 562 occurrence records against 19 bioclimatic variables, subsequently refined to 7 key predictors through Pearson correlation analysis (|r| ≤ 0.75). The MaxEnt model demonstrated high predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.902 ± 0.010). Annual precipitation (67.9% contribution) and the minimum temperature of the coldest month (18.4% contribution) emerged as the primary determinants of I. macrocarpa distribution. Currently, suitable habitats occupy 252.97 × 10⁴ km² (26.35%) of the total land area of China, with highly suitable areas (72.82 × 10⁴ km²) predominantly found in southern China. Under future scenarios, substantial distribution shifts are projected: SSP126 shows a 21.7% reduction in suitable area by 2050, followed by a 9.1% recovery by 2090; SSP245 indicates a 13.4% reduction by 2050 with minimal subsequent change; and SSP585 demonstrates the most severe impact, with a 32.0% reduction by 2090. Habitat centroid analysis reveals significant northeastward shifts under SSP126 (116.23 km by 2090), variable movements under SSP245, and southwestern displacement under SSP585 (143.23 km by 2090). These findings suggest differential responses across climate scenarios, with implications for conservation planning and management strategies.

The practice of intercropping in Rosa roxburghii Tratt orchards holds potential for enhancing fruit yield and financial benefits, yet remains insufficiently explored. To address this, we delved into the effects of intercropping on fruit yield and financial viability of R. roxburghii orchards in Longli County, southern China. Orchards of varying ages (4 years old and 5 years old; 7 years old and 8 years old) were subjected to different treatments: (i) Zea mays and Capsicum annuum intercropping, and clean tillage for younger orchards, and (ii) Lolium perenne, natural grass, and clean tillage for older orchards. Each treatment was assessed for its impact on fruit yield and financial benefits. In younger orchards, intercropping with Z. mays and C. annuum did not significantly elevate fruit yield compared to clean tillage in the 4-year-old orchard; however, C. annuum intercropping significantly improved fruit yield in the 5-year-old orchard. Concurrently, intercropping significantly augmented the total financial benefit by 9234.35–10,486.25 CNY ha⁻¹ (Z. mays) and 14,304.90–16,629.18 CNY ha⁻¹ (C. annuum) compared to clean tillage. In older orchards, L. perenne intercropping significantly elevated fruit yield by 598.84–803.64 kg·ha⁻¹, while natural grass reduced it by 394.61–986.24 kg·ha⁻¹, compared to clean tillage. Additionally, L. perenne intercropping significantly boosted the total financial benefit by 8873.92–9956.56 CNY ha⁻¹, whereas natural grass negatively impacted financial benefits by 78.42–2444.94 CNY ha⁻¹ compared to clean tillage. Collectively, our results illustrate that judicious selection of intercrops, based on orchard age and conditions, can significantly enhance both fruit yield and financial advantages in R. roxburghii orchards. This study furnishes vital insights for orchard management and accentuates the prospective merits of intercropping in fruit production systems.

Grazing is the main utilization of native grassland, and forage fungal disease is one of the limiting factors of grassland productivity. The present research in the Hulunber meadow steppe grassland was conducted to investigate the responses of the dominant plant Leymus chinensis (Trin.) to beef cattle grazing, rust, and their interaction influence. Six grazing intensity treatments with three replicates were established. The response of L. chinensis to grazing and rust was systematically studied for two consecutive years. The main findings were that grazing and rust had significant effects (p < 0.05) on the growth and nutrient elements content of L. chinensis. Compared with the 0 cattle ha⁻¹ treatment, the dry matter of L. chinensis in the 0.42, 0.63, and 1.67 cattle ha⁻¹ treatments decreased by 42.2%, 90.5%, and 339.5%, respectively. Compared with non-infected plants, dry matter of rust-infected L. chinensis plants decreased by 45.6%. The N:C and P:C ratios of rust-infected plants were lower than in non-infected plants, and positively correlated with their relative growth rates. Therefore, we concluded that the growth rate hypothesis still applied in L. chinensis under the interactive effects of grazing and disease. Additionally, grazing can alleviate the loss of dry matter caused by disease.