Suitability evaluation and spatial optimization of Zhaoping tea cultivation integrated multi-source environmental data and maximum entropy model

Zhaoping tea is a well-known local agricultural product in Zhaoping County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region．To provide scientific guidance for production and industrial layout optimization of local Zhaoping tea, multi-source environmental information including the latest high-precision soil survey data, climate, and topography were integrated．A comprehensive suitability evaluation model was conducted by integrating the Maximum Entropy（MaxEnt）model, entropy weight method, and expert knowledge to construct a set of soil physicochemical indicators（organic matter, available potassium, pH, cation exchange capacity, available phosphorus, total nitrogen）, topographic indicators（slope, elevation）, and climatic conditions（relative humidity, sunshine duration, frost-free period, daily temperature range, accumulated temperature≥10°C, average temperature from 1990 to 2023, and annual average surface solar radiation from 1990 to 2023）, totaling 15 evaluation indicators．Results have indicated that area proportions of advantageous, suitable, and unsuitable areas for Zhaoping tea in Zhaoping County planting were 14.83%, 29.32%, and 55.85%, respectively．Zhaoping tea cultivation is primarily limited by soil parent material and thermal conditions, showing a distinct spatial pattern characterized by superior conditions in west, limited suitability in east, and a clustering along riverbanks．Based on these findings, a zonal optimization strategy was proposed involving brand development in optimal areas, quality improvement in suitable areas, and industrial transition in unsuitable areas．This strategy provides a scientific basis for precise cultivation and high-quality development of Zhaoping tea industry．