###### Abstract
Production in Muju County expanded from 75,110 kg (USD 62,000) in 2014 to 340,887 kg (USD 17,499,000) in 2022, an increase of more than 4.5 times [13, 14, 15, 16, 17]. GE research has been conducted in various fields for several years. Recent studies have primarily focused on the pharmacological efficacy of GE, the extraction and characterization of bioactive compounds [18,19], cultivation techniques [20, 21, 22, 23], and physiological properties [5,6,24,25]. Pharmacologically, GE has been proven to have neuroprotective effects, enhance learning and memory, provide cardiac protection, regulate blood vessels, and have antidepressant and anticancer effects [26, 27, 28, 29, 30]. Furthermore, studies on the potential distribution simulation of GE under various climate change scenarios [31] and geographical tracking studies for habitat distribution prediction, resource exploration, and the conservation of GE [32] have been conducted in China. However, studies exploring the optimal cultivation sites for GE, considering its growth characteristics, are lacking. According to an interview with officials from the Forestry Department of Muju County on 21 May 2024, diseases due to continuous cropping damage are increasing at existing GE cultivation sites, such as open fields and greenhouses near urban areas. Due to a shortage of suitable cultivation sites, GE farmers are turning their attention to mountainous areas for new cultivation opportunities. The continuous cultivation of GE causes soil-borne diseases, leading to significant ecological problems that drastically reduce the yield and quality [5,33,34]. To avoid these issues, it is recommended to leave the land fallow for at least three years [35]. Considering the increasing need to reduce continuous cropping damage at existing open-field or greenhouse cultivation sites, it is crucial to analyze suitable cultivation sites for GE in mountainous areas using geographic information systems (GIS). Mountain cultivation can serve as an alternative to address this issue, and overlay analysis using GIScan help scientifically identify new cultivation areas. Using the native habitat information of GE, powerful ecological niche modeling methods such as MaxEnt (Maximum Entropy Reinforcement Learning), Random Forest, and ENFA (Ecological Niche Factor Analysis) can predict the potential habitat of GE. Given the lack of native habitat information for GE and the need for identifying suitable sites for artificial cultivation, GIS overlay analysis can be a valuable alternative technique. It offers convenience in the procedural setup and aids in the rapid exploration of reliable potential areas [36]. Therefore, this study used GIS overlay analysis to analyze suitable cultivation sites for GE in mountainous areas. Specifically, this study reclassified a composite suitability map that synthesized the cultivation factors for GE using various reclassification methods and compared their characteristics. This study aimed to scientifically identify the optimal cultivation sites for GE in mountainous areas and evaluate the effectiveness and characteristics of different reclassification methods. This study pioneered a new research area by analyzing suitable cultivation sites for GE in mountainous areas, moving away from the traditional open-field or greenhouse cultivation sites. By utilizing various reclassification methods to analyze these sites and comparing the characteristics of each method, this study presents a unique and different approach from previous research. Additionally, it provides practical and applicable results by reflecting the actual trends of cultivation site relocation and addressing continuous cropping damage issues. This approach promotes the efficient use of land resources, contributes to sustainable agriculture and forestry practices, enhances agricultural productivity, and protects the environment.