Land suitability for establishing espadín agave plantations in the state of Oaxaca
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v17i5.4002Keywords:
Agave angustifolia Haw., MaxEnt, potential distribution, Random ForestAbstract
The growth in mezcal consumption has created an oversupply of agave, reducing prices for producers. This study evaluated land suitability for planting Agave angustifolia Haw. in Oaxaca using two distribution models: MaxEnt and Random Forest. Climatic, edaphological and topographic variables were used, along with records of the species’ presence. Both models showed AUC values >0.85, with 16 relevant variables. The area with high potential was 4 475.89 km² (MaxEnt) and 28 700.97 km² (Random Forest); the ideal areas for plantations were 6 671.12 km² and 9 618.67 km², respectively. Despite the differences, the models provide useful information for the sustainable planning of espadín agave.
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