Abstract
The common pheasant is listed as a nationally protected species in Iran because it faces many threats such as habitat destruction, pollution from pesticides and overhunting. The species’ habitat selection remains unknown in Iran; consequently, conservation planning for the species is hampered by this lack of information. In this study we used predictor variables including topographic, anthropogenic, land cover and climate and 122 occurrence points to model the distribution of common pheasant (subspecies P. c. talischensis), in Gilan province, Iran. The results showed that distance to agriculture and orchards as well as distance to plantation forests were the most important variables in predicting species distribution. Furthermore, we found that the total potential suitable habitat for the species in Gilan province is 315,990 hectares. We observed a shift of the species to higher altitudes in the province. We recommend raising awareness about the presence of the species especially among private landowners, creating a network of protected areas on private land, and changing land-use policies at the provincial level as essential measures for the conservation of the species in Gilan province. Our results can be applied to management and conservation of the species in other modified or rapidly changing landscapes.
Highlights
Natural habitats are rapidly changing worldwide; persistence of biodiversity on this changing globe is a major challenge (Ricketts et al 2004; Lavorel et al 2007; Priess et al 2007; Turner et al 2007a,b)
In the present study we examined the population from Gilan province, where the subspecies P. c. talischensis is present
We found that agriculture and orchards, with 35% contribution, and plantation forests, with 24.4% contribution, were the most important variables in predicting the distribution of the common pheasant in Gilan province
Summary
Natural habitats are rapidly changing worldwide; persistence of biodiversity on this changing globe is a major challenge (Ricketts et al 2004; Lavorel et al 2007; Priess et al 2007; Turner et al 2007a,b). Continuous habitats are being divided into discontinuous patches, which affects population recruitment (Robinson et al 1995; Smith & Hellmann 2002), survival (Harris 1984) and movement (Shirley 2006; Tucker et al 2018) of terrestrial animal species (Suárez-Seoane et al 2008; Tucker et al 2018). As a result of land-use change, urban growth and land degradation, the distributions of some terrestrial species have changed in recent years (Ashoori 2009).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
