Predictive Modeling of Habitat Suitability for the Vulnerable Tree Species Dalbergia latifolia in India using MaxEnt

Dalbergia latifolia Roxb., commonly known as Indian rosewood, is a keystone tropical timber species native to the Indo-Malaysian region, including India and Sri Lanka. Its high commercial value, often exceeding that of teak, has led to severe threats from over-exploitation, illegal logging, and poor natural regeneration. Assessing habitat suitability for this vital species is crucial for sustainable management. This study employed a MaxEnt model using 3,224 validated occurrence records to evaluate habitat suitability, achieving high predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.94) with ten selected bioclimatic variables from the CHELSA dataset. Key factors influencing distribution included Temperature Seasonality and Annual Precipitation Amount. The study classified suitable habitats into Very High, High, Moderate, and Low categories, identifying 83 protected areas with high and very suitable habitats. The most suitable habitats are concentrated in the Western Ghats, particularly in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. This information is essential for targeted conservation strategies, such as habitat protection and reforestation initiatives, to mitigate the threats facing Indian rosewood. The research highlights the urgent need to balance economic interests with ecological sustainability to ensure the survival of this valuable species.