title: [Suitability evaluation of Cistanche desertiola based on TCMGIS-I].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the appropriate producing area of Cistanche desertiola.
  
  
  METHODS
  The TCMGIS-I (suitability evaluation geographic information system of traditional Chinese medicine producing area) was used to analyze the appropriate producing area of C. desertiola basing on the optimum ecological factors of Aalashan, Inner-Mongolia autonomous region and North Xinjiang au-tonomous region, the traditional producing areas of C. desertiola.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the suitable producing areas of C. desertiola included 159 counties of 5 autonomous regions and provinces, i.e. Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia autonomous regions, and Gansu as well as Qinghai provinces. The total area was 675 354.9 km2 and distributed mainly in Aalashan of Inner Mongolia, eastern part of North Xinjiang, northern part of Gansu and in the middle of Ningxia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The suitable producing areas based on TCMGIS-I covered all areas registered in the 3rd national investigation of Chinese traditional medicine resource. And the results were also corresponding to the traditional producing area of C. desertiola recorded in ancient literature and the successful cultivation areas nowadays. It suggested the rationality and reliability of TCMGIS-I.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chinese Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100094, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cai-Xiang
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Shi-Lin
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cheng-Zhong
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Run-Huai
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D001947:Breeding; D002681:China; D031671:Cistanche / Q000254:growth & development*; D002980:Climate; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D016208:Databases, Factual; D017753:Ecosystem; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000254:growth & development*; D012987:Soil
chemical_list: D012987:Soil