Mapping potential distribution of alocasia genus (Araceae) in Kelantan using ecological niche modelling

Mapping potential species distribution has become significant tool for early prediction of species existence across a study area with aid of environmental variables and species occurrence data. In this study, formatting occurrence localities and environment data requires extensive data preparation in Geographical Information System (GIS) prior to modelling species distribution. One of the Araceace family of the genus Alocasia are dominantly found in ground level of tropical rainforest. Forest area covered almost 60% in Kelantan and habitat to many of Araceae. This study used the application of Ecological Niche Modelling using MAXENT to estimate the potential distribution of Alocasia genus in Kelantan. In the final analysis, environmental variable contribute the most in distribution of Alocasia longiloba and Alocasia puber identified which are precipitation of wettest quarter (18.5%) and mean temperature of coldest quarter (67.6%) respectively. Using DIVA-GIS to map output analysis. from MAXENT, discovered other potential area which have same ecological suitability for species to grow based on the locality data and environment data.