Habitat Selection by Spur-Thighed Tortoise (Testudo graecu) in Marvar Hunting Stop Area, Yazd Province

The habitat of Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graecu) as a susceptible species was selected and studied within an area of 8000 hectare in the hunting ban area of Marver in Yazd Province.  Habitat variables such as percentage of plant cover and Height of plant for each  plant species separately; slope, soil texture, and distance to the nearest road; as well as farm and water resource around animal nest were measured by the establishment of sampling units near the animal hole and compared with the nonappearance locations. The results showed that regions with rather soft soil texture and higher percentage of (Atraphaxis sp) and sagebrush (Artemisia sp) plant cover with a gentle slope are preferred by this animal. The higher percentage of plant cover of two species of Atraphaxis sp and sagebrush provide the required cover for the nest. With regard to water and wind erosion in the region, the low slope prevents the destruction of the nest by water or soil. Furthermore, distance to the road keeps the eggs protected from human disturbance. Saving the population of Spur-thighed tortoise in this region depends on the protection of the structure of plant communities and soil.