Applications of species distribution models in medicinal plants

Medicinal plants hold an extremely important position in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), serving as the core component and primary source of TCM. Their geographical distribution patterns exhibit significant spatial heterogeneity and environmental dependency. These distribution patterns are influenced by a combination of multidimensional environmental factors, including climate, topography, soil, and biotic interactions, which affect photosynthetic efficiency, the synthesis of secondary metabolites, and population reproductive capacity, ultimately determining the yield and quality of medicinal materials. Species distribution models (SDMs) integrate the spatial coordinates of known species distribution points with multi-source environmental data, using specific algorithms to establish the relationship between ecological niches and environmental variables. These models can not only predict the potential geographical distribution of species under historical, current, and future climate scenarios but also quantify the contribution of each environmental factor to distribution constraints through variable importance analysis. This literature review summarizes the application of SDMs in medicinal plant research, providing critical decision-making support for addressing major issues such as climate change, promoting sustainable resource utilization, and formulating scientific conservation strategies.