The potential distribution of wintering and breeding populations of Asian HoubaraChlamydotis macqueeniiin Iran

Abstract

Summary Asian Houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii is a vulnerable flagship species specific to steppe, desert and semi-desert habitats of the Middle East and Central Asia. Iran provides a critical corridor in the middle of Asian Houbara’s migratory route and also hosts a relatively large proportion of wintering and breeding populations. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution and habitat suitability of both wintering and breeding populations of Asian Houbara in Iran and evaluate the effectiveness of the existing protected area network for long-term protection of the species. For this purpose, 644 occurrence points for wintering and 216 points for breeding birds were collected from 17 Iranian provinces during 2015 to 2017. We then used a consensus species distribution modelling (SDM) approach using 11 uncorrelated environmental variables to explore the distribution of Asian Houbara habitats. Results showed that climatic and topographic variations have the most significant influence on the regional-scale distribution of Asian Houbara. Of the suitable habitats recognised for the wintering and breeding populations, 40.6% and 29.6% respectively overlapped with the extent of the protected network. A high level of spatial niche similarity (78%) was observed between wintering and breeding populations. The central, eastern and south-central Iranian semi-arid regions and desert landscapes hosted the majority of both wintering and breeding houbara occurrences. Results of this study could be used for adopting direct management planning and raising the protection level of important no-hunting areas.

Assessing future distribution, suitability of corridors and efficiency of protected areas to conserve vulnerable ungulates under climate change

“…These regions are located across the western and central parts where there is high density of human settlements, roads and cultivated lands. The network of protected areas in central Iran includes more than 40 PAs (national park, NP, IUCN category II; protected area, PA, IUCN category V; wildlife refuge, WR, IUCN category IV) and NHAs (protection category which aims to stop poaching but, has no limitation on livestock grazing or human development plans (Pakniat et al., 2020)—not included as an IUCN category) protecting approximately 22% of the landscape of central Iran. The largest protected areas are located across low relief areas of the east and the north where there are very small‐scale anthropogenic interventions.…”