Land evaluation of Tacca tuber distribution on the marginal coastal area using fuzzy and maximum entropy modelling

Land evaluation is an essential step in determining the potential use of marginal areas where agricultural productivity is limited by poor soil conditions. Coastal lands represent one of challenging environments, however, these areas hold potential for introducing native crops to support food security. Tacca tuber (Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntz), a traditional staple food in Pacific coastal communities, is one such crop that offers dual benefits: it provides an alternative carbohydrate source during food shortages and plays an ecological role in stabilizing coastal soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate land suitability and habitat distribution of Tacca leontopetaloides in marginal coastal areas by integrating fuzzy and Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modelling. Species presence data were combined with multiple variables, including soil characteristics, land cover, vegetation, rainfall, elevation, slope, temperature, and precipitation. The fuzzy logic approach was applied together with MaxEnt to model the species distribution. Model performance testing produced highly reliable results, with the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve yielding an Area Under the Curve (AUC) value of 0.952. The resulting land suitability map delineates priority zones for potential Tacca cultivation, offering practical insights into how marginal coastal lands can be utilized effectively to balance food security and environmental sustainability.