Climate change is a vital driver of biodiversity patterns and species distributions, understanding how organisms respond to climate change will shed light on the conservation of endangered species. In this study, the MaxEnt model was used to predict the potential suitable area of 12 threatened medicinal plants in the QTP (Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau) under the current and future (2050s, 2070s) three climate scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP8.5). The results showed that the climatically suitable habitats for the threatened medicinal plants were primarily found in the eastern, southeast, southern, and some parts of the central regions on the QTP. Moreover, 25% of the threatened medicinal plants would have reduced suitable habitat areas within the next 30–50 years in the different future global warming scenarios. Among these medicinal plants, RT (Rheum tanguticum) would miss the most habitat (98.97%), while the RAN (Rhododendron anthopogonoides) would miss the least habitat (10.15%). Nevertheless, 33.3% of the threatened medicinal plants showed an increase in their future habitat area because of their physiological characteristics which are more adaptable to a wide range of climates. The climatic suitable habitat for 50% of the threatened medicinal plants would migrate to higher altitudes or higher latitudes regions. This study provides a data foundation for the conservation of biodiversity and wild medicinal plants on the QTP.

Climate change is a vital driver of biodiversity patterns and species distributions, understanding how organisms respond to climate change will shed light on the conservation of endangered species. In this study, the MaxEnt model was used to predict the potential suitable area of 12 threatened medicinal plants in the QTP (Qinghai-Tibet Plateau) under the current and future (2050s, 2070s) three climate scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP8.5). The results showed that the climatically suitable habitats for the threatened medicinal plants were primarily found in the eastern, southeast, southern and some part of the central regions on the QTP. Moreover, 25% of the threatened medicinal plants would have reduced suitable habitat areas within the next 30-50 years in the different future global warming scenario. Among these medicinal plants, FP (Fritillaria przewalskii) would miss the most habitat (97.1%), while the RAN (Rhododendron anthopogonoides) would miss the least habitat (0.30%). Nevertheless, 41.6% of the threatened medicinal plants showed an increase in their future habitat area because of their physiological characteristics which are more adaptable to a wide range of climate. The climatic suitable habitat for 50% of the threatened medicinal plants would migrate to higher altitudes or higher latitudes regions. This study provides a data foundation for the conservation of biodiversity and wild medicinal plants on the QTP.

Recognizing the evolution of landscape patterns in the Chishui River source region is essential for protecting ecosystems and sustainable growth in the Yangtze River Basin and other similar areas. However, knowledge of landscape pattern evolution within the primary channel zone remains insufficient. To address this gap, the current study used 2000–2020 land-use, geography, and socio-economic data, integrating landscape pattern indices, land-use transfer matrices, dynamic degree, the GeoDetector model, and the PLUS model. Results revealed that forest and cropland remained the prevailing land-use types throughout 2000–2020, comprising over 85% of the landscape. Grassland had the highest dynamic degree (1.58%), and landscape evolution during the study period was characterized by increased fragmentation, enhanced diversity, and stable dominance of major forms of land use. Anthropogenic influence on different landscape types followed the order: construction land > cropland > grassland > forest > water bodies. Land-use change in this region is a complex process governed by the interrelationships among various factors. Scenario-based predictions demonstrate pronounced variability in various land types. These findings provided a more comprehensive understanding of landscape patterns in karst river source regions, provided evidence-based support for regional planning, and offered guidance for ecological management of similar global river sources.