Habitat associations of wild goat in central Iran: implications for conservation

Esfandabad, Bahman Shams; Karami, Mahmoud; Hemami, Mahmoud‐Reza; Riazi, Borhan; Sadough, Mohammad-Bagher

doi:10.1007/s10344-010-0386-9

Cited by 25 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The widespread use by Asiatic cheetahs of the rugged parts of the predominantly flat central plateau of Iran is coherent with the relatively low habitat selectivity of cheetahs compared to other carnivores (Durant et al, 2010), and may reflect in Iran a shift in prey selection. Because cheetahs prefer prey within a body mass range of 23-56 kg (Hayward, Hofmeyr, O'brien, & Kerley, 2006), thus with the decline of Jebeer and goitered gazelles, the wild sheep and Persian ibex, two mid-sized species inhabiting rough areas (Esfandabad, Karami, Hemami, Riazi, & Sadough, 2010), have emerged as the most available wild prey species for cheetahs in Iran (Farhadinia & Hemami, 2010). This possibly resulted in cheetahs increasingly using rough habitats.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining landscape suitability and habitat connectivity to conserve the last surviving population of cheetah in Asia

Ahmadi

Nezami²,

Jowkar³

et al. 2017

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim The Asiatic cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus venaticus, a critically endangered large felid, has disappeared from vast tracks of its historical range across south‐western Asia. It is currently confined to the arid ecosystems of central Iran for which little is known about its distribution and habitat linkages. We proposed the first evaluation of Asiatic cheetah's distribution and developed models of landscape suitability and connectivity to inform future conservation planning. Location Central Iran. Methods We analysed presence data of a 14‐year‐long cheetah monitoring programme according to environmental and anthropogenic factors, and generated an ensemble model of habitat suitability based on seven species distribution models (SDMs). We then used the concept of circuit theory and landscape connectivity prioritization (LCP) on resultant core habitats and landscape suitability to evaluate potential linkages between core areas. Results Core habitats, that is, the areas hosting the largest continuous suitable habitats for Asiatic cheetahs, covered approximately 49,144 km2 (c. 6.3% of the study area). Availability of prey species, avoidance of human‐dominated areas and their infrastructures, and rough landscapes covered with sparse vegetation were the most predictive factors of the core habitats for the last cheetah population in Asia. Although relatively vast, the area of potential core habitats available to cheetahs appeared to be fragmented with limited connectivity between the northern and southern parts of this distribution. Main conclusions Our approach highlights the importance of distribution models to recognize, at a coarse‐scale level, a spatial population structure and habitat suitability characteristics for a large carnivore surviving at very low density. We have identified specific areas of suitable habitat where developing new landscape protection and adaptive conservation management; and improving the safety of important linkages between core habitats are likely to promote the conservation of the last surviving population of cheetah in Asia.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining landscape suitability and habitat connectivity to conserve the last surviving population of cheetah in Asia

Ahmadi

Nezami²,

Jowkar³

et al. 2017

Diversity and Distributions

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“…More topographically rich areas in the country harbour large populations of two vulnerable mountain ungulates (Valdez, 2008; Weinberg et al., 2008), the wild sheep ( Ovis spp) and wild goat ( Capra aegagrus ) for which Iran encompasses major portions of their global populations. These three ungulates used to be largely distributed across the country; however, habitat degradation and poaching caused their populations to suffer from substantial reductions in distribution and population size (Bashari & Hemami, 2013; Esfandabad, Karami, Hemami, Riazi, & Sadough, 2010; Hemami & Groves, 2001). Currently, the majority of these ungulate populations live within protected areas, specifically those in central part of the country (Ansari, 2016; Esfandabad et al., 2010; Hemami & Groves, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These three ungulates used to be largely distributed across the country; however, habitat degradation and poaching caused their populations to suffer from substantial reductions in distribution and population size (Bashari & Hemami, 2013; Esfandabad, Karami, Hemami, Riazi, & Sadough, 2010; Hemami & Groves, 2001). Currently, the majority of these ungulate populations live within protected areas, specifically those in central part of the country (Ansari, 2016; Esfandabad et al., 2010; Hemami & Groves, 2001). Central Iran has a large network of protected areas (PAs) and no‐hunting areas (NHAs) with high potential to protect habitats and populations of the ungulates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing future distribution, suitability of corridors and efficiency of protected areas to conserve vulnerable ungulates under climate change

Malakoutikhah

Fakheran

Hemami

et al. 2020

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim Central part of Iran harbours populations of wild ungulates that are threatened or extinct over large parts of the region, and are likely to be impacted by climate change. In this study, we predicted the impact of climate change on the distribution of three vulnerable ungulates in central Iran. We then evaluated future suitability of corridors connecting the protected areas for movement of the ungulates in response to climate change. Location Central Iran. Methods Impact of climate change on distribution of goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), wild sheep (Ovis spp) and wild goat (Capra aegagrus) was predicted adapting an ensemble modelling approach and under the RCP 8.5 emission scenario. We then used CIRCUITSCAPE software with current and future distribution maps to identify corridors for movement of the three ungulates, and evaluate likely changes in their suitability under climate change. Results Our results revealed that climate change might result in loss of 55%, 69% and 76% of suitable habitats for goitered gazelle, wild sheep and wild goat by 2070, respectively. These losses also resulted in some protected areas to become unsuitable for the ungulates. However, we identified key protected areas with the potential for future protection of these ungulates. For the three species, we also identified corridors which would persist into the future, allowing the impacted populations to move in response to climate change. Main conclusions Conservation of ungulate populations in Iran mainly depends on the protected areas. To maintain the role of the protected areas in conserving these mammals under climate change, we recommend the incorporation of their potential future distribution into conservation plans, increasing protection status of the key protected areas, and maintain critical corridors. In this regard, combining results of distribution and connectivity models provides useful information for effective management of these ungulates in the future.

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“…Six of these species are threatened globally (IUCN, 2016; note synonymy of urial and mouflon on the Red List and the new classification of Rezaei et al, 2010). Apart from the Persian fallow deer, which lives in semi-captive conditions, and the wild boar, the consumption of which is prohibited on religious grounds, all other ungulate species are threatened by poaching and have declined since the 1970s (Karami et al, 2002; Tatin et al, 2003; Kiabi et al, 2004; Shams Esfandabad et al, 2010; Ghoddousi et al, 2016a; Soofi et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The decline of ungulate populations in Iranian protected areas calls for urgent action against poaching

Ghoddousi

Soofi

Hamidi³

et al. 2017

Oryx

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Poaching is cryptically but rapidly driving many species towards extinction. Knowledge of population trends of exploited species and incentives for poaching is necessary to inform appropriate conservation measures. We estimated the abundance of four ungulate species in Golestan National Park, Iran, the country's oldest protected area, where poaching of ungulates is widespread. We used line transect surveys (186 km), camera trapping (2,777 camera-nights), point counts (64 scans) and dung counts (along 38 km), and compared population estimates with those from earlier records. We also investigated the incentives for poaching, using a semi-structured interview survey. Population estimates for 2011–2014 indicated a 66–89% decline in three ungulate species (bezoar goat Capra aegagrus, red deer Cervus elaphus and urial Ovis vignei) compared to 1970–1978. Only wild boar Sus scrofa showed a population increase (of 58%) during the same period, possibly facilitated by religious restrictions regarding the consumption of this species. The incentives for poaching were categorized (in a non-ordinal manner) as subsistence, pleasure, tradition, trade of wild meat, and conflict with conservation regulations and bodies. The decline in hunted ungulates in this Park appears to be the result of rampant poaching, and a similar trend is evident in other protected areas in the country. We suggest the adoption of participatory conservation strategies, improvement of law enforcement practices and cooperation with international experts to reduce poaching in these protected areas. Taking into account the incentives for poaching, a combination of economic and non-economic strategies should be considered.

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Habitat associations of wild goat in central Iran: implications for conservation

Cited by 25 publications

References 15 publications

Combining landscape suitability and habitat connectivity to conserve the last surviving population of cheetah in Asia

Combining landscape suitability and habitat connectivity to conserve the last surviving population of cheetah in Asia

Assessing future distribution, suitability of corridors and efficiency of protected areas to conserve vulnerable ungulates under climate change

The decline of ungulate populations in Iranian protected areas calls for urgent action against poaching

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