This study explores the habitat distribution of Pterocarpus santalinus, a valuable rosewood species, across China, focusing on its response to current and future climate changes. Utilizing the MaxEnt model, we assess its suitable habitat under present conditions and future climate scenarios (SSPs126, SSPs245, and SSPs585). Our findings reveal that the current suitable habitat, spanning approximately 409,600 km², is primarily located in the central and southern parts of Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Yunnan, as well as in the Hainan provinces, along with the coastal regions of Taiwan, and the Sichuan-Chongqing border. The habitat's distribution is significantly influenced by climatic factors such as temperature seasonality (bio4), mean temperature of the wettest quarter (bio8), annual mean temperature (bio1), and annual precipitation (bio12), while terrain and soil factors play a lesser role. Under future climate scenarios, the suitable habitat for P. santalinus is projected to expand, with a northeastward shift in its distribution center. This research not only sheds light on the geoecological characteristics and geographical distribution of P. santalinus in China but also offers a scientific basis for planning its cultivation areas and enhancing cultivation efficiency under changing climate conditions.

We identified the occurrence locations of P. santalinus using a three-pronged approach: (1) A comprehensive review of relevant literature; (2) Extensive field investigations; and (3) Data acquisition from online databases, specifically the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF, https://www.gbif.org) and the National Specimen Information Infrastructure (NSII, http://www.nsii.org.cn/2017/home.php). We downloaded environmental parameters from WorldClim (https://www.worldclim.org/data/index.html) and Harmonized World Soil Database v 1.2 (HWSD; http://www.fao.org/soils-portal/soil-survey/soil-maps-and-databases/harmonized-world-soil-database-v12/en/), processed them using ArcGIS 10.2

Funding provided by: Hainan Academy of Forestry (Hainan Academy of Mangrove)*Crossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: KYYSLK2023-018