Predicting presence of marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) in Khorasan Razavi province using MaxEnt

Khorasan Razavi province, including important habitats for marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) in Iran. in this study, we used maximum entropy method (Maxent) for habitat modeling in the province. This method is an effective approach for habitat modelling with presence points. In this study, 25 points were used and 89 percent accuracy was achieved. Based on the results, the northern and northwestern regions of the province are more suitable for the species. According to the study, 6% of the whole province is suitable for the species. The results also showed that the suitable habitats areas overlap with roads and in addition to roads with human settlements such as towns and villages also showed a positive relation and in according to the responses curves, with increasing of distance of the areas, decreasing habitat suitability. And also, forest areas and rivers have a positive effect on habitat suitability. According most environmental degradation is about habitats, so we must try to survey and management these areas appropriately.