Predicting the potential sites of Chromolaena odorata and Lantana camara in forest landscape of Eastern Ghats using habitat suitability models

Abstract

Conservation strategies need reliable information on species distribution and habitat suitability. Modelling the invasion probability of species is required for invasive alien species management. The present study aims in predicting the suitable habitat and potential distribution of invasive plant species - Chromolaena odorata and Lantana camara. We used the Maximum entropy (MaxEnt), Random forest, Surface range envelope, Boosted regression tree analysis, Classification tree analysis, and Generalised boosted model to identify the suitable habitats for potential environmental distribution of invasive alien species in the Eastern Ghats of Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The Area under Curve (AUC) for each model has been estimated for predicting the potentially suitable habitats of invasion. The results suggested that the MaxEnt model, Random forest, boosted regression tree, and Surface range envelope were suitable approaches in identifying areas of potential habitats of selected invasive alien species. This study aids in developing long-term conservation practices for the management of invasive alien species.