Abstract
Conservation of large carnivores requires preservation of extensive core habitats and linkages among them. The goal of this study was to identify core habitats and corridors by predicting habitat suitability (an ensemble approach), and calculating resistant kernel and factorial least-cost path modeling for a relatively unknown carnivore, the striped hyaena in Khuzestan area in southwestern Iran. We used the procedure of spatial randomization test to evaluate the coincidence of striped hyaena road crossing with the predicted corridors. The results revealed that elevation, distance to conservation areas, categorical climate and grasslands density were the most influential variables for predicting the occurrence of the striped hyaena in the study area. In the estimated dispersal distance of 70 km, four core habitats were identified. The largest core habitat was located in the northeast of the study area with the highest connectivity contribution. Only about 12% and 1.5% of core habitats and corridors were protected by conservation areas, respectively. Predicted corridors, crossed by roads represented a high risk for striped hyaenas. Adaptive management plan throughout the landscape (conservation of core habitats and corridors, and reducing species mortality on the roads) must be considered by wildlife managers in Iran.
Highlights
Conservation of large carnivores requires preservation of extensive core habitats and linkages among them
We considered distance to rivers given the importance of water resources for c arnivores[13] and because the striped hyaena is found in the areas, where water is available within 10 kilometers[40,43]
Habitat suitability prediction revealed that elevation, distance to conservation areas (CAs), categorical climate and grasslands density were the most influential variables for predicting the occurrence of the striped hyaena in the study area (Table S4)
Summary
Conservation of large carnivores requires preservation of extensive core habitats and linkages among them. The goal of this study was to identify core habitats and corridors by predicting habitat suitability (an ensemble approach), and calculating resistant kernel and factorial least-cost path modeling for a relatively unknown carnivore, the striped hyaena in Khuzestan area in southwestern Iran. We used the procedure of spatial randomization test to evaluate the coincidence of striped hyaena road crossing with the predicted corridors. Predicted corridors, crossed by roads represented a high risk for striped hyaenas. Adaptive management plan throughout the landscape (conservation of core habitats and corridors, and reducing species mortality on the roads) must be considered by wildlife managers in Iran. Several studies have been done in Iran that tested relationship between road collisions of large carnivores and ecological c orridors[9,19,23]; but none focused on the striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena Linnaeus, 1758). According to the IUCN Red List, the Scientific Reports | (2022) 12:3425
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