Using the Maximum Entropy Modeling to assess the habitat suitability of natural Teak (Tectona grandis Linn.f.) in Mae Hong Son Province

Abstract

Teak (Tectona grandis Linn.f.) is the most valuable commercial woods which had low distributed in the nature. The objective of this research aimed to assess habitat suitability of natural Teak in Mae Hong Son province based on some bioclimate and physical environmental factors related to its distribution higher than 700 m asl. The GPS coordinates of the 20 sites where Teak is presented were used for suitability analysis based on Maximum Entropy Modeling (MaxEnt).

The results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of natural Teak was 0.917. Indicating MaxEnt result is high effective for predicting the suitable habitat. Environmental factors that determined the natural Teak distribution were slope, highest monthly precipitation in the driest month, and the highest annual mean precipitation. As a result, the suitability habitat of Teak can be divided as Least suitable, Low suitable, Medium suitable and High suitable at 62.12, 19.80, 9.59 and 8.49 %, respectively. High habitat suitability was found in Pang Mapha District, Pai District, Mueang District and Khun Yuam District.This finding can be applied in the Teak restoration management plan in these areas to increase the teak population in nature, in addition, the protected plan also can be promoted with high capacity management.

Keywords: Maximum Entropy Modeling, Habitat Suitability, Teak (Tectona grandis Linn.f.), Mae Hong Son province