Ecological niche modelling to project past, current and future distributional shift of black ebony tree (Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb.) in India

The present study utilized an ensemble modelling approach to predict the distribution of D. melanoxylon under present, past (Last Glacial Maximum, ~22,000 cal yr BP, Middle Holocene ~6000 cal yr BP) and future climate change scenarios (RCP 2.6 and 8.5 for 2050s and 2070s). The annual mean temperature, mean temperature of the wettest quarter and annual precipitations were the most critical parameters that chiefly influence the distribution of D. melanoxylon. The ensemble model rendered high accuracy with AUC=0.93, TSS=0.74, and Kappa=0.71. Past projections of D. melanoxylon indicated a widespread distribution during the Last Glacial Maximum and Middle Holocene suggesting its adaptability to semi-dry as well as warm and humid climates, respectively. The presence of fossil pollen evidence of D. melanoxylon in the suitable habitats derived through past projections in this study complements the model results and marks occurrences of the species during the Last Glacial Maximum and Middle Holo..., , , # Ecological niche modelling to project past, current and future distributional shift of black ebony tree (Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb.) in India

## Description of the data and file structure

Species occurrence data was compiled from India Biodiversity Portal (IBP), Global biodiversity information facility (GBIF), field surveys, and herbarium records. All the occurrence data was combined and rarified.

File name ‘Final_output_rarefied_points’ lists the species occurrence data points used for the model runs.

Model output files (.asc) for Current, Middle Holocene, LGM, and future climate change scenarios are also uploaded.

## Sharing/Access information

Links to other publicly accessible locations of the data are already given in the manuscript:

* Secondary occurrence data points for the *D. melanoxylon*  were extracted from online databases, i.e. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) from the website   and Indian Biodiversity Portal from the website

Bioclimatic Data w...