Determining the habitat suitability of Quercus castaneifolia C. A. Mey In order to plan restoration using species distribution modeling

Despite the potential of the Hyrcanian forests to maintain of Quercus castaneifolia, the abundance of this species has decreased drastically and most of the young stands of this species are seriously threatened. This research, using an integrated perspective, shows the distribution Q. castaneifolia species in the Hyrcanian forest with the aim of determining the optimal areas for reforestation using five different modeling methods including GAM, GLM, RF, CTA, and GBM. Rainfall and temperature maps are based on data collected from a network of weather stations, as well as soil data from Soil Grade database maps. Then, the most important independent variables affecting the distribution Q. castaneifolia were identified. The results obtained from the evaluation of the relative importance of the variables indicate that the amount of organic carbon, pH, changes in seasonal rainfall and rainfall in the coldest season of the year have the greatest relative importance in determining and developing the habitat of this species and the area has a favorable potential of 14.1 The percentage is for this species. The produced habitat suitability map is suggested as a basis for future forest restoration plans, especially in areas that are more affected by destruction.