Hippophae neurocarpa is a relatively new member of the Rhamnus genus that has various potential edible and medicinal values, but still needs to be further developed. To better develop H. neurocarpa, it is crucial to determine its current and future population distribution. This study utilized the “Biomod2” package in R to integrate five individual models and investigate the effects of climate change on the potential distribution of H. neurocarpa, as well as the key climatic factors influencing its distribution. The results indicated that, under the current scenario, the potential distribution of H. neurocarpa is mainly concentrated in the eastern parts of the Loess Plateau and the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. In the future, its potential suitable habitats will undergo varying degrees of change: the area of medium/low suitability will decrease, while the area of high suitability will shift westward and increase. In the analysis of area changes, it was found that some potential suitable habitats in Sichuan and Shaanxi will directly transition from highly suitable to unsuitable areas. Key environmental variable analysis showed that temperature, particularly low temperature, is a crucial factor affecting the distribution of H. neurocarpa. Additionally, altitude also has a significant impact on its distribution. This study predicted the potential suitable habitats of H. neurocarpa, which will aid in its future development and provide reference for selecting regions suitable for its cultivation.

The Papilio xuthus is a widely distributed species in the genus Papilio of the family Papilionidae, possessing ecological, ornamental, and socio-economic service values. To determine the ecological role of P. xuthus and assess its population distribution under future climate change scenarios, this study utilized the MaxEnt model to predict the geographic distribution of P. xuthus in the future and evaluate its population dynamics. The results indicated that P. xuthus is currently widely distributed in East Asia, with a high suitability area of 1827.83 × 10³ km², primarily in China, Japan, North Korea, and South Korea. Climate change has a significant impact on the geographic distribution of P. xuthus, with its high suitability areas decreasing in the future, particularly within China, where the change is projected to be as high as 46.46% under the SSP126 scenario by the 2050s. The centroid of its high-suitability area is expected to shift northeastward. Key environmental variable analysis revealed that Temperature Seasonality, Mean Temperature of the Wettest Quarter, Precipitation of the Wettest Month, and Precipitation of the Warmest Quarter are critical factors influencing the selection of suitable habitats by P. xuthus. This study assessed the distribution of P. xuthus and provided conservation recommendations, offering a reference for future population control and conservation efforts.

Spatholobus suberectus, a valuable Chinese medicinal plant, faces habitat shifts under climate change. In order to better utilize the medicinal properties of S. suberectus and conduct further investigations, this study utilized the Biomod2 ensemble model to predict and analyze the potential expansion and contraction of suitable habitat areas for S. suberectus in China under changing climatic and environmental conditions. The results showed that, compared to the pre-screened models, the ensemble model significantly improved the prediction accuracy. Currently, S. suberectus is primarily distributed in southern China. Under the projected scenarios of SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5, its suitable habitat is expected to expand overall, with the increased areas concentrated mainly in southwestern, central, and eastern China. As climatic factors shift, the high-suitability center of S. suberectus is predicted to shift slightly southward under the SSP1-2.6 scenario, while under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, it is projected to move northwestward. In the future, it will be necessary to optimize the warm and humid growth environment for cultivated S. suberectus in China. Meanwhile, wild S. suberectus populations should be closely monitored for the impact of climate change to prevent potential partial reductions in suitable habitats, thereby ensuring ecological balance and sustainable development.

Butterflies are highly sensitive to climate change, and Troides helena, as an endangered butterfly species, is also affected by these changes. To enhance the conservation of T. helena and effectively plan its protected areas, it is crucial to understand the potential impacts of climate change on its distribution. This study utilized a MaxEnt model in combination with ArcGIS technology to predict the global potential suitable habitats of T. helena under current and future climate conditions, using the species’ distribution data and relevant environmental variables. The results indicated that the MaxEnt model provided a good prediction accuracy for the distribution of T. helena. Under the current climate scenario, the species is primarily distributed in tropical regions, with high suitability areas concentrated in tropical rainforest climates. In future climate scenarios, the suitable habitat areas for T. helena in medium and high suitability categories generally show an expansion trend, which increases over time. Especially under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, by the 2090s, the area of high suitability for T. helena is projected to increase by 42.85%. The analysis of key environmental factors revealed that precipitation of the wettest quarter (Bio16) was the most significant environmental factor affecting the distribution of T. helena. The species has high demands for precipitation and temperature and can adapt to future climate warming. This study is valuable for identifying the optimal conservation areas for T. helena and provides a reference for future conservation efforts.