Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity
Volume:5 Issue: 4, Autumn 2021

This study was conducted to provide a checklist of amphibian species in the Idanre Forest Ecosystem (lowland - Idanre Forest Reserve and highland - Idanre Hills) based on field surveys carried out during June - July 2018. A total of 218 individuals, comprising 11 species from six genera belonging to five families, were observed. A high number of individuals and species were observed in the lowland (Idanre Forest Reserve) compared to the highland (Idanre Hills) region. All species recorded from this site are categorized as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List, except for the critically endangered and endemic Sclerophys perreti. We acknowledge that this study is preliminary; thus, we offer recommendations for a comprehensive survey to unveil the amphibian species richness and abundance as well as patterns of species’ adaptation.

European beavers, being so-called "keystone species", transform their habitat according to their own needs while also creating favorable living conditions for other animals. The aim of the research was to find out how different species of mammals use beaver dams and the area directly adjacent to the watercourse, in the place where the dam was built, in the autumn and winter period. In the investigated areas the activity of 13 different mammal species was recorded, most often using the beaver dams as river crossing, either on or close to the dam itself. Between September-February the activity of mammals was evenly distributed over the period of each month with a slight increase in November. The study confirmed the great role of the European beaver in increasing the diversity of the local mammal species.

Species distribution models (SDMs) are a powerful tool in conservation. Predictive habitat models attempt to provide detailed predictions of distributions by relating the presence/absence of a species to a set of environmental predictors that are likely to influence the suitability of the environment for the focal species. For most of the available methods, accurate sampling of the presence/absence of the species is crucial. The lack of information about the areas where species are absent complicates the use of common ecological modeling tools, as they rely both on presence and absence data. For this reason, a modeling technique that does not require absence data was used. This modeling approach is extremely useful when absence data are not available, are unreliable, or are ecologically meaningless. So, one statistical technique that can be used to generate habitat maps based on the presence-only data is the Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA), using the modeling Biomapper software. The purpose of this study is to provide desirable habitats in Bidouyeh Protected Area in Kerman province based on the presence-only data and environmental conditions of the area by ENFA, to determine which parts according to the current conditions of the region are suitable habitat for Goitered Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa). according to the Predicted areas, we will be able to better protect and manage the area. The results showed that variables the elevations 2000-2300 m, the western aspects, and the sealed road, respectively, are the most important factors influencing the selection of Goitered Gazelle habitat in Bidouyeh protected area. According to the modeling, approximately 15% of the Bidouyeh protected area is a suitable habitat for Goitered Gazelle.

Global climate change has had a significant impact on biodiversity and altered the geographical distribution of many plant species. In this study, ensemble modeling based on seven species distribution models was used to predict the effect of climate change on the spatial distribution of Crataegus azarolus L. in Chaharmahal-Va-Bakhtiari province, located in the Central Zagros region, Iran. We used 113 presence points of the species and physiographic, land cover, and bioclimatic variables. Predicting the geographical distribution of the C. azarolus in the future (years 2050 and 2070) was made based on four scenarios of the increase in the greenhouse gases (RCPs: Representative Concentration Pathways) in the general circulation model of MRI-CGCM3. Based on the results, about 20% (3292.192 km2) of the study area can be considered as the suitable habitat of C. azarolus. Precipitation Seasonality, Isothermality, and Mean Temperature of the Wettest Quarter had the highest contribution to the species distribution model. The decline of suitable habitats will be 31.13% to 89.87% by 2050 and 2070 due to climate change, respectively. Assessments showed that the Random Forest was found to be the most reliable model for species prediction. Our results can provide reliable information on preparing adaptive responses for the sustainable management of the species.

The southern crested newt, Triturus karelinii (Strauch, 1870), is a newt endemic to the Ponto-Caspian region. We evaluate the potential distribution of this species and identify the most important environmental factors that determine the distribution of this species in Iran. Forty-four presence points and seven environmental variables were used to model the distribution range. Species distribution modeling was performed using the Maximum Entropy algorithm (MaxEnt). Precipitation of the warmest quarter, with 68.60% contribution, and altitude, with 13.70% contribution, were the most important factors determining the distribution of the species. According to our habitat suitability map, the Golestan, Mazandaran, Guilan, and Ardabil provinces are determined as possessing suitable habitat for the species, while the central and southern regions of Iran do not possess suitable habitats, associated with insufficient rainfall.

Haftad-Gholleh National Park located in central Iran is inhabited by two prey species: the wild sheep (Ovis orientalis) and the wild goat (Capra aegagrus). Their main predator in the park area is the grey wolf (Canis lupus). We applied a maximum-entropy presence-only approach to model habitat suitability for these three species in the Haftad-Gholleh National Park. Moreover, we studied their niche breadth using ENMTools. Altogether seven environmental variables were incorporated into the final models including: percentage of vegetation cover, slope, aspect, elevation, distance from human activities, distance from water, and distance from road. Results indicated that habitat variables such as slope, aspect, and distance from water were the most important variables affecting the predictive power of the prey and predator species models. The Grey wolf has a distribution larger than that of the wild goat, but smaller than that of the wild sheep. Interestingly, niche-breadth analysis indicates that the grey wolf has a niche breadth half that of the wild sheep and twice that of the wild goat. Wild sheep have a relatively wide geographical extent and show a tendency to marginal and strictly protected habitats; the grey wolf chooses moderate areas fit for its moderate mobility of habitat variability and dependency to restricted natural habitats; and the wild goat has a relatively narrow geographical extent and shows a tendency to specific restricted natural habitats in the Haftad-Gholleh National Park.

Basic knowledge of population status is effective for the conservation of many species, especially threatened and endangered species. In this study, we used the Mark-recapture technique (Lincoln-Petersen method) as an established method for estimating population in wildlife surveys. Population surveys of critically endangered newts conducted for Neurergus derjugini in the streams of Kurdistan and Kermanshah Provinces, western Iran, at Sarvabad, Marivan, Baneh, Saghez, and Nosoud. The study consists of estimating population size by sampling annually for two consecutive years with each annual sampling consisting of several surveys between May-August. The species has a restricted distribution, occurring at high mountain streams. Our results also reject the occurrence of this species in Sarvabad and Awraman stream habitats and water ecosystems as was stated by former researchers. Distribution information of this species was updated in the region, and all known records are mapped. The results showed that Miri Sour (Marivan) with 1591-1568 and Asnabad (Marivan) with 14-18 specimens as estimated populations were found as most and less populated and suitable habitats respectively.

Wildlife species and trophies are of valuable use to humanity. These values include aesthetic, education, medicinal purpose, recreation, and as foreign exchange earner.  Legitimate hunters and poachers alike are the main source of supply of wildlife species and trophies whilst vendors market them. This study is purposed to indicate the pattern of utilization of wildlife species in the study area. Fifteen sampled communities were surveyed in the study area. A hundred respondents were served with a copy of each of the questionnaires. The questionnaire sought information on the following variables namely, socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, source, and types of the species, and commercial dynamics of the trade. The Data collected were analyzed applying statistical tests including the t-test to determine the frequency distribution on the benefit-cost ratio and profitability index. The result revealed that the economic returns on both the wildlife species and trophies trade are profitable with a BCR (Benefit-cost ratio) of 5.00% (P = ≤ 0.05) and 2.92% respectively. This fact shows that wildlife species and trophies contribute significantly to the economics of the area. Conservation education and awareness should be encouraged against poaching and wild-scale domestication practices should be engaged in to reduce or even eliminate poaching activities on the wildlife species concerned. These measures should adequately supplement the animal protein level of traditional livestock and enhance sustainable food security globally.