The threats on the biodiversity of Bisotun Wildlife Refuge and Bisotun Protected Area (BPA & BWR) in the west region of Iran

Abstract

Reyahi-Khoram M, Rizvandy M, Reyahi-Khoram R. 2014. The threats on the biodiversity of Bisotun Wildlife Refuge and Bisotun Protected Area (BPA & BWR) in the west region of Iran. Biodiversitas 15: 67-74. Nature is necessary for the preservation of species and biodiversity richness; as a result, it has been protected for thousands of years. Bisotun Protected Area and Bisotun Wildlife Refuge (BPA & BWR) with about 95000 hectares is located in Kermanshah province in the west of Iran. The object of this study is to determine the physical properties and analyze the constraints that threaten the BPA & BWR. This research was conducted during the period from May, 2011 to November, 2012 in BPA & BWR. In this research, various animal and plant species were recognized through documentary analysis and also directs field observations. The obtained result indicates that major threats have occurred in biodiversity and ecosystem of BPA & BWR during 1980-2010. During these years, the study area has completely failed and lost some of its biological diversity. Limiting factors that affect wildlife population growth including destruction and conversion of habitats, unauthorized hunting and high frequency presence of animal and human, have influenced the restoration potential of wildlife, the habitats and other conservation areas.

Distribution and human‐caused mortality of Persian leopards Panthera pardus saxicolor in Iran, based on unpublished data and Farsi gray literature

“…Poaching of leopard's main prey species has resulted in a lack of sufficient wild prey within some of Iran's protected areas (Iranian Cheetah Society, ; Sanei et al, ). The abundance of leopards is strongly dependent on the densities of their main prey species: wild goats Capra aegagrus , wild boar Sus scrofa , and urial sheep Ovis vignei (Ghoddousi et al, ; Reyahi Khoram, Rizvandy, & Reyahi Khoram, ). Leopards who suffer from a lack of sufficient wild prey, in addition to old and young dispersing leopards attack domestic dogs and livestock (Babrgir, Farhadinia, & Moqanaki, ; Farhadinia, Johnson, Hunter, & Macdonald, ).…”