Black bear habitat suitability modeling in a part of Sistan and Balouchestan province using multi-criteria evaluation method

The Balouchi Black bear as an endangered subspecies, has a limited distribution in Iran, including the provinces of Kerman, Sistan and Baluchestan and Hormozgan. In this study, multi-criteria evaluation method was used to model the suitability of the land as a habitat of the black bear. For this purpose, by literature reviewing and experts’ knowledge, the most important criteria for evaluating the suitability of the land as black bear habitat were identified, were standardized by fuzzy and Boolean methods and criteria weights were determined using the hierarchical analysis process (AHP) method. The highest weight is related to slope criterion. Criteria and constraints maps were prepared by satellite image interpretation and available data. Results have shown 0-20% vegetation cover crown with 6945673 ha has the highest portion in study area. The study criteria and constraints were overlaid using the Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method and the land suitability model was produced for the Balouchi black bear. In habitat suitability map, 261615 ha were identified with very high habitat suitability for black bear. Field studies and overlaying areas with the highest habitat suitability on the suitability maps of the used criteria, show that these areas mostly include mountainous areas with wild date (Daz) and farm land date. The results of this study with producing 81% total accuracy show the capability of multi-criteria evaluation methods by producing suitability maps with considering the importance of habitat evaluation criteria in modeling the suitability black bear habitat and the possibility of trade-off the criteria which causes criteria with more importance, support lower importance criteria.