Predicting the Potential Invasive Distribution for Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng. in China

Originating in Mexico, Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng., is a noxious weed long present as a non-native species in India, New Zealand, and Australia. In China, it is spreading rapidly, particularly in the southern and southwestern parts of the country, with serious economic and social consequences. A new method, ecological niche modeling, was applied for predicting its potential geographic range of invasion. Predicted potential distributional areas included the Chinese provinces where the plant is known to occur, as well as additional areas in central and eastern China that appear susceptible to further spread of this species.