Habitat Suitability Modeling for Wild Sheep (Ovis Orientalis) in Kouh-e- Bafgh Protected Area Using Ecological Niche Factor Analysis

Wild sheep (Ovis Orientalis) as the most prominent mountain mammal in the Kuh-e-Bafgh protected area is considered as one of the main food sources for highly endangered species such as Iranian Cheetah (Critically Endangered) and Leopard (Endangered). Having knowledge on its habitat requirements is a fundamental prerequisite for appropriate conservation planning. Habitat suitability models using geographical information system and multivariate statistical analysis, investigate relationship between species presence and environmental variables. In this study, we used ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA) to compare ecological characteristics of the species presence with ecological characteristics of the study area and then, habitat suitability models for wild sheep in the Kuh-e-Bafgh Protected Area with an area of 88528 hectares. Results indicate that in different seasons, wild sheep habitat suitability is strongly influenced by distance to water resources, slope, altitude, vegetation, aspect and anthropogenic variables (distance to roads, inhabited villages and uninhabited villages). The models classified at least %17 of the protected area as suitable habitats for wild sheep. Marginality values ranging from 1.02 to 1.19 in different seasons indicated that wild sheep prefers environmental conditions higher than average of the study area. The values of specialization (2.82-3.60) showed species is dependent on limited range of environmental conditions and specialized on use of habitat resources.