A comparative Analysis of the distribution pattern of wildlife refuges and threatened and protected vertebrates of Iran

Identification of protected species and their distribution and hotspots is necessary for every conservation effort in terms of protected areas development. The decline of animal species due to various reasons has put them in the spotlight by conservation planners. In this study, we evaluated the distribution of threatened and protected vertebrates and their sensitivity priorities and then mapped species sensitivity classification, richness and hotspots in Iran. Then the distribution pattern of the nation’s wildlife refuges was compared with the sensitivity classification, richness and hotspot maps. We identified areas including “covering species distribution”, “highly sensitive”, “incorporating large number of species”, and “hotspots” and the results showed 61, 1.7, 3.3, and 0.84 percent of the country is covered by these areas, respectively. The coverage rate of species distribution by wildlife refuges is 4 percent while for hotspots it reaches 5 percent. Moreover, the results showed that Yakhab and Darband Ravar wildlife refuges are weak representatives whereas Dasht-e Naz, Semeskandeh, Fereydoonkenar and Miankaleh wildlife refuges are strong representatives of species distribution. Our findings provided information for conservation planners to systematically modify the existing areas and to select new areas. Using these results, planners can also more effectively protect the species and Iran's biodiversity.