Prediction of the spatial distribution of Alternanthera philoxeroides in China based on ArcGIS and MaxEnt

As an invasive alien species, Alternanthera philoxeroides has spread rapidly in China since its invasion, which has caused serious harm to the ecological environment and substantial economic losses. To better manage this invasive plant, we analysed the spatial and temporal distribution patterns and predicted the suitable areas for this species in China using the MaxEnt model and ArcGIS. The results showed that the suitable area for A. philoxeroides in the current climatic conditions was 91.8–122.7°E,18.2–39.8°N, which was mainly located in the tropical, subtropical and southeastern warm temperate regions of China. The high suitability region is mainly located in the provinces of Guangxi, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Chongqing and Sichuan. The total areas with low, medium, and high suitability are 90.13×104km2, 99.78×104km2, and 23.33×104km2, respectively. All of these suitable regions cover a total of 213.24×104km2, accounting for 22.2% of China’s land area. A. philoxeroides has a tendency to continue to invade. Precipitation and temperature are the primary variables shaping the distribution of A. philoxeroides. This species prefers a warm, stable and rainy climate. Measures should be taken to prevent it from spreading to these high suitability regions. Moreover, biological and ecological prevention and control technologies are necessary to block its spread, invasion, colonization and damage, especially in the potentially suitable regions with suitable climates.