Abstract: Understanding species distribution and its main influencing factors is important basis for the rational conservation and utilization of wild resources. Epimedium koreanum Nakai is an important medicinal plant resource in Northeast China. Predicting the potential distribution of E. koreanum and clarifying the driving factors can provide scientific basis for the conservation and exploitation of this species. In this study, we predicted the potential distribution and suitability grades of E. koreanum in Northeast China based on 15 occurrence records, 19 climatic factors and six soil factors using the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model. We found that the potential distribution of E. koreanum were mainly located in eastern Liaoning and southern Jilin with an area of 170270 km_². The core suitable habitats of E. koreanum were located in the temperate deciduous broad-leaved forests of eastern Liaoning and southern Jilin, with an area of 80102 km². The precipitation of the driest month and organic carbon content in topsoil were the major climatic and soil factors influencing its potential distribution, respectively. Our results will provide scientific basis for the habitat conservation and artificial cultivation of E. koreanum.

Key words: influencing factor., distribution characteristics, wetland, estimation method, carbon storage