Potential habitat modelling Ferula ovina Boiss. using by genetic algorithms in Ferydoun shahr, Isfahan

Due to the insufficient information about the distribution of plant and animal species, the use of modeling to predict the distribution of species has increased in recent years. For this purpose, a wide range of modeling techniques has been developed. In this study, the potential distribution map of Ferula ovina Boiss.was prepared using the environmental factors and occurrences data and genetic algorithms model (GARP). Species occurrences (137 sites) were collected using stratified random sampling method and all environmental layers including physiographic layers (slope, aspect and elevation derived from digital elevation model), climate and soil layers were produced using interpolation methods in ARCGIS (with a pixel size of 70 × 70 m). All data were analyzed by Desktop Garp and the distribution map of Ferula ovina was prepared. The model evaluation was performed by AUC of ROC plot, indicating a good performance of this model (AUC=0.766). According to the results of sensitive analysis, silt and elevation were the most important factors affecting the distribution of Ferula ovina. This model could be used in the interpretation of relationships between species and environment and assessing areas with high protection potential as well as determining suitable areas for the revival of Ferula ovina and climate change and management scenarios.