Conservation of Angelica sinensis germplasm resources and planning of High-quality cultivation zones: Integration of species distribution modeling and HPLC analysis

Angelica sinensis , as an important traditional Chinese medicinal herb, exhibits significant quality variation across different provenances, influenced by genetic and ecological environmental factors. This study integrates HPLC, multivariate statistical analyses, and species distribution modeling (SDM) to systematically investigate the spatial variation of six key bioactive compounds (Senkyunolide I, 3-N-Butylphthalide, 3-Butylidenephthalide, chlorogenic acid, ligustilide, and ferulic acid) across major cultivation regions in China. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) revealed significant chemical differentiation among samples from Qinghai, Sichuan, Hubei, Gansu and Yunnan provinces. Correlation and regression analyses demonstrated that phthalide compounds negatively correlate with precipitation but positively associate with solar radiation, whereas chlorogenic acid accumulation favors environments with higher moisture levels. Species distribution predictions based on the MaxEnt model indicate that suitable habitats for A. sinensis will contract and shift northwestward under various future climate scenarios (SSP126 to SSP585), with marked declines in suitability under high-emission scenarios. The spatial distribution of active compounds is also driven by climatic factors, exhibiting pronounced regional heterogeneity and dynamic changes. Based on these findings, targeted cultivation zoning and resource conservation strategies are proposed. The research provides a scientific basis for quality-oriented regional cultivation planning of A. sinensis and offers theoretical support for resource conservation and sustainable utilization under the context of climate change. • Suitable habitats shift northwest and shrink under climate change. • Chemical and ecological data reveal spatial variation in A. sinensis quality. • High-quality cultivation zones identified via chemical and ecological integration.