International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 343-354 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 351 7 Future Prospects of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Industry and Sustainable Development Potential 7.1 Strategic importance of Xanthoceras in China’s ecological agriculture Xanthoceras sorbifolium, a native Chinese plant, holds significant strategic importance in China's ecological agriculture due to its dual ecological and economic benefits. The plant is well-suited for cultivation in marginal lands, which makes it an excellent candidate for sustainable agricultural practices. Its ability to thrive in temperate climates and its high oil content make it a valuable resource for biodiesel production, thus contributing to renewable energy initiatives (Venegas-Calerón et al., 2017; Ma et al., 2020; Xiao et al., 2023). Additionally, the plant's various bioactive compounds have been traditionally used in Chinese medicine, offering potential economic benefits through the development of pharmaceuticals and health products (Chen et al., 2021; Zang et al., 2021). The comprehensive utilization of X. sorbifolium, from biodiesel to medicinal applications, underscores its role as a green industry that supports both ecological sustainability and economic growth. 7.2 Global prospects for desertification control using Xanthoceras Globally, Xanthoceras sorbifolium presents promising prospects for desertification control and ecological restoration. The plant's adaptability to harsh environmental conditions, such as those found in desertified areas, makes it a valuable tool for combating land degradation. Its deep root system helps stabilize soil, reduce erosion, and improve soil fertility, thereby facilitating the restoration of degraded lands (Figure 4) (Wu et al., 2021). Moreover, the plant's ability to sequester carbon and its role in producing biodiesel contribute to mitigating climate change, further enhancing its ecological restoration potential on a global scale (Zhou et al., 2015; Ma et al., 2020). The expansion of X. sorbifoliumcultivation in regions prone to desertification could thus play a crucial role in global ecological restoration efforts. Figure 4 Potential suitable distribution and changes in suitability zones for Xanthoceras sorbifoliumunder different climate change scenarios (2050 and 2070) (Adapted from Wu et al., 2021) Image caption: A1-A8: Potential suitable distribution of Xanthoceras sorbifoliumunder future climate change scenarios, classified into high, medium, low, and non-suitable areas; B1-B8: Changes in the suitable areas for Xanthoceras sorbifolium under future climate conditions, with area gains, losses, and stable regions compared to the current climate scenario represented by different colors. The study covers different climate models (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0, and RCP 8.5) (Adapted from Wu et al., 2021)
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