Persian leopard and wild sheep distribution modeling using the Maxent model in the Tang-e-Sayad protected area, Iran

Abstract

The maximum entropy (Maxent) model was used to predict the distribution of Persian leopards and wild sheep in the Tang-e-Sayad protected area in Iran. For this purpose, eight variables, as well as 30 occurrence points of leopard and 98 points of wild sheep, were used. Two techniques, density-based occurrence points thinning and performance-based predictor variables selection were used to improve the results of the model. The model results were analyzed based on four threshold limit-based statistics (sensitivity, specificity, kappa and true skill statistics) and area under the curve (AUC), followed by determining the relative importance of variables based on the jackknife procedure. The results of threshold limit-based statistics revealed that the success of the model for distribution prediction of leopard and wild sheep were good and relatively good, respectively. According to the jackknife procedure, for wild sheep and for leopard, slope and distance to road, respectively, were the most important predictor variables. The results also indicated that the efficiency of the model did not improve by reducing the density of occurrence points for the wild sheep (AUC=0.784–0.773). However, the selection of predictor variables slightly improved the performance of the model (AUC=0.794–0.819). The results of the study also showed overlapping habitat for two species due to both human and ecological reasons for which we proposed some conservation actions such as excluding domestic grazing, controlling illegal poaching and restoration of old migratory corridors.

Movement Choices of Persecuted Caracals on Farmlands in South Africa

“…For example, Dickson & Beier (2002) demonstrated that although cougar home ranges tended to be far from two-lane paved roads, cougars did not avoid smaller roads within their home range. Other studies have shown that leopards ( Mann et al 2015 ) and bobcats ( Lynx rufus, Lovallo & Anderson 1996 ) were prevalent on roads while other felids avoid roads ( Jafari et al 2018 ). In densely vegetated environments, roads can act as movement corridors and facilitate rapid travel when patrolling a territory or searching for prey.…”

Predicted Future Benefits for an Endemic Rodent in the Irano-Turanian Region

“…We conclude that further studies are needed to confirm the current range of the Persian jird, as information about its distribution is at the moment contradictory and insufficient. This is a common challenge for species in the region studied [67]. If more data on the current occurrence of the species was available, it would be possible to construct a better performing model.…”

Penggunaan Habitat dan Pemodelan Distribusi Spasial Macan Tutul Jawa di Kawasan Gunung Sawal, Jawa Barat

“…Hasil analisis model distribusi spasial menunjukkan prediksi keberadaan macan tutul jawa semakin tinggi pada tipe habitat hutan konservasi yang berdekatan dengan hutan produksi yang memiliki tutupan lebih terbuka, berupa tanaman Pinus (Pinus merkusii), rasamala (Altingia excelsa), dan damar (Agathis borneensis). Peta distribusi potensial menggambarkan kondisi kesesuaian untuk kelangsungan hidup suatu spesies, sehingga sangat bagus digunakan sebagai pertimbangan dalam upaya konservasi (Jafari, Ahmadmahmoodi, & Mirzaei, 2018). Peta distribusi spasial macan tutul jawa di kawasan hutan Gunung Sawal disajikan pada Gambar 5.…”

“…Pergerakan macan tutul jawa umumnya dipengaruhi oleh satwa mangsa, seperti kijang dan babi hutan. Salah satu faktor pembatas bagi satwa liar adalah makanan, sehingga ketersediaannya harus baik (Jafari et al, 2018). RAI setiap jenis didapatkan hasil bahwa musang luwak (Paradoxurus hermaproditus) memiliki RAI tertinggi (Gambar 7).…”