Precipitation seasonality determines the potential distribution of Hyaena hyaena in Saudi Arabia: Towards conservation planning

Abstract

Hyaena hyaena is a carnivorous mammal that inhabits a broad variety of habitat types and ecological niches, H. hyaena spread in the Arabian Peninsula excluding Rub Al Khali and the desert of Nafud. In Saudi Arabia, it can be found commonly in the western mountains and the open land near agricultural areas such as valleys and lava fields (Harat). However, the H. hyaena is considered to be globally “Near Threatened” (NC) according to (IUCN) Red List as a consequence of a drop in carrion as a result of a reduction in the population of big predators and their prey, eradication practices, and fragmentation and loss of their habitat. The current study seeks to evaluate the distribution of H. hyaena in Saudi Arabia in relation to a number of environmental parameters, as well as assess the possible appropriateness of different habitats for it under climate change scenarios, and provide significant insights for future conservation strategies. The species distribution models (SDMs) tools were employed to map and monitor the distribution of H. hyaena, and then provide a prediction of species distribution patterns. Multicollinearity analysis of the total 19 bioclimatic variables and topographic roughness index resulted in seven uncorrelated variables with VIF < 5, which had been used in the ensemble modeling. The result of our study showed that the decrease in seasonal precipitation will lead to a decrease in the probability of the presence of H. hyaena in Saudi Arabia and The probability of finding H. hyaena in Saudi Arabia decreases as the driest quarter and wettest quarter mean temperature decreases.