Simulating potential distribution of Afrocanthium (Rubiaceae) in Kenya based on MaxEnt and its application in the Flora of Kenya

Species distribution models are widely used in the fields of biology, ecology, and conservation biology. Taking Afrocanthium of Rubiaceae in Kenya as an example, this paper briefly introduces the potential distribution of plants under current climate scenarios using the maximum entropy model (MaxEnt), and the possible use of these distribution maps in the forthcoming Flora of Kenya. Results showed that the model well simulated the potential distribution areas of each species based on sufficient original sample records. Compared with traditional and next-generation Floras, which only provide sample information points or rough distribution maps, the potential distribution maps, which will be used in the upcoming Flora of Kenya, will provide more comprehensive and practical information.