Mostafa Jahani; Jalil Sarhangzadeh; Mohammad Hosein Irannejad parizi; Hamid Sodaeizadeh; Mahdi Zare khormizi
Abstract
Kamki Wildlife Refuge is located in Behabad city, Yazd Province, covering an area of 64,700 ha. The present study was conducted to assess the population dynamics of wild sheep (Ovis orientalis) in the Kamki Wildlife Refuge and predict future population changes. Wild sheep observations from 2014 to 2023 ...
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Kamki Wildlife Refuge is located in Behabad city, Yazd Province, covering an area of 64,700 ha. The present study was conducted to assess the population dynamics of wild sheep (Ovis orientalis) in the Kamki Wildlife Refuge and predict future population changes. Wild sheep observations from 2014 to 2023 were extracted from census records. Based on topographic features, habitat type, species distribution, habitat protection level and road access, the research area was split into three sections: Klut Bandari (b1), Kamki mountain (b2), and Bijahan mountain (b3). The data was then analyzed with SPSS software. Additionally, Additionally, Vortex software was used to evaluate population viability, simulate, future trends, and predict survival, extinction, and population changes probabilities over a 100-years period. The results showed that 2,536 wild sheep were recorded in Kamki Wildlife Refuge between 2014 and 2023. Population density varied across the blocks: Block 1: 0.0451 head ha-1 (34.5% of the population), block 2: 0.0210 head ha-1 (23.74%), block 3: 0.0633 head ha-1 (41.76%). The overall density across the refuge was 0.0392 head ha-1. Among the observed rams: 13.53% were immature, 36.59% were unknown age, and 49.88% were mature. Within the mature populations, 11.28% were males over five years old, 12.93% were males under five years old, and 25.67% were females. The sex ratio (males to females) was 100:106, with females outnumbering males in all studied years. The population growth rate was 1.5333, indicating a positive growth rate. Projections for the next 100 years showed that, under all scenarios, the probability of survival would exceed 80%, while the probability of extinction would remain below 20%.
Jalil Sarhangzadeh; Ahad Sotoudeh
Abstract
Brown bear (Ursus arctos) is classified as a Least Concern (LC) species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), but its distribution have decreased as the largest carnivore in the country during last decades, and hence it is important to protect its habitats. In this research, the ...
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Brown bear (Ursus arctos) is classified as a Least Concern (LC) species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), but its distribution have decreased as the largest carnivore in the country during last decades, and hence it is important to protect its habitats. In this research, the habitat suitability of brown bear in Arasbaran biosphere reserve, as one of the most important habitats of this species in the northwest of Iran, was considered. For the habitat suitability modeling of this species, Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) method and ENFA software were used. Results showed that 23.6% (20245ha) of Arasbaran biosphere reserve were suitable for species. The suitable habitats were recognized to be in areas with elevation range of 900 to 2400 meters above sea level, 30 to 70 percent of slope. In addition, the variables of forest with 75-100% canopy cover, semi-humid climate, elevation range of 1500-2000 meters above sea level, Northern hillsides, 45 to 70 percent of slope, humid climate, permanent rivers, forest with 50-75% canopy cover have the most effect on the selection of the species habitat. The suitable habitats for brown bear are generally distributed in the Oskuloo, Makidi, Hejrandost, Aliabad, Naposhteh, Balasang, Ilankesh, Abasabad and Khril. Prevention of development (Tourism) in the suitable habitats of brown bear, and, determination of corridors and movement routs of the species outside of the Arasbaran Biosphere Reserve in future studies were suggested in the route of this research.
Jalil Sarhangzadeh; Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari
Abstract
Wild goat (Capra aegagrus) as the most vulnerable species is one of the mountainous mammals whose population has declined due to the destruction of the habitat at the national and international levels. This study was aimed to determine the suitably potential habitat area for wild goat in Bafgh protected ...
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Wild goat (Capra aegagrus) as the most vulnerable species is one of the mountainous mammals whose population has declined due to the destruction of the habitat at the national and international levels. This study was aimed to determine the suitably potential habitat area for wild goat in Bafgh protected area using multi-layer perceptron neural network. A total of 196 points including presence (111 points) and absence (85 point) of the species were collected in fieldwork. 18 variables such as slope, geographical aspect, elevation above sea level, rocky regions, mean temperatures, vegetation types, water resources, inhabited and uninhabited villages, and roads (dirt and asphalt) were used to determine the suitability of habitats. Results showed that Juniperus excelsa -Amygdalus scoparia vegetation type (11.23%), slope steepness (10.42%), distance to south direction (10.15%), distance to Cousinia desertii-Artemisia sieberi-Zygophyllum eurypterum vegetation type (9.9 %), elevation above sea level (9.63%), and distance to water source (9.09%) are the most effective variables in habitat suitability evaluation in the Kouh-e-Bafgh protected area. The model output efficiency of 0.97 was achieved in this study. Based on the results, 36% of the protected area was evaluated as the suitable for wild goat habitat. Results also reveald that by reducing the distance to the roads the suitability of habitats is reduced. Therefore, this study suggests that human activities close to the potentially suitable area is suggested to be avoided.
Jalil Sarhangzadeh; Hassan Akbari
Abstract
Abstract Chinkara (Gazella bennettiishikarii) is the smallest antelope in Iran. The only remaining habitats of this species in Iran are often decomposed. This species is adapted to arid habitats and Naybandan Wildlife Refuge is known as the most integrated habitat of this species in the country. For ...
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Abstract Chinkara (Gazella bennettiishikarii) is the smallest antelope in Iran. The only remaining habitats of this species in Iran are often decomposed. This species is adapted to arid habitats and Naybandan Wildlife Refuge is known as the most integrated habitat of this species in the country. For habitat suitability modelling of Chinkara in the refuge, we visited the area to provide present layer of the species, initially. Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) method and ENFA software for habitat suitability modeling of this species were used. Information layers as variables affecting on this species include the slope, aspect, elevation, forms of topography, vegetation, water resources and human development variables was determined. Based on habitat suitability map, Chinkara preferred elevation range of 570 to 1800 meters above sea level and 5 to 30 percent of slop. Furthermore variables of north hillsides, water sources, streams and foothills, uninhabited villages and vegetation type areas of Haloxylon, Seidlitzia and Artemisia are also important factors in the presence of this species. Results showed that 33.58 percent of this area were suitable for Chinkara. Prevention of development (roads and mines) in the suitable habitats of Chinkara, and, determination of corridors and movement routs of the species outside of the Naybandan in future studies were suggested in the route of this research.
