Monitoring Landscape Changes in Caucasian Black Grouse (Tetrao mlokosiewiczi) Habitat in Iran during the Last Two Decades
Asef Darvishi1, Sima Fakheran1*, Alireza Soffianian1
1 Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran
Abstract
Caucasian black grouse (Tetrao mlokosiewiczi) is on the 'Red' list of species of high conservation concern as Nearest Threatened (NT), and also in level (I) of CITES. The black grouse distribution range in Iran is restricted to the Arasbaran region, Northwest of Iran and the populations and range of this specialist bird species have been declining over the last decades. Management of forests and grasslands structure are important for black grouse population survival. The main goals of this study were to Monitor and quantify the landscape pattern changes in Caucasian Black Grouse habitat in Arasbaran Biosphere Reserve in two periods of 14 years (1987–2001) and 10 years (2001-2011). For quantifying landscape pattern changes, various landscape metrics were derived by spatial analysis software FRAGSTATS 3.3, including NP (Number of Patches), LPI (Largest Patch Index) and TE (Total Edge). The results indicated that the proportion of forest decreased from 39.95% to 31.95%, and proportion of grassland decreased from 44.45% to 38.44% in the 24-years span. Number of Patches (NP) of forests increased in the first period and decreased in the second period of study. Total Edge (TE) of dense forest at altitude above 1800 meters decreased. Reduction of forest edge is an indicator of reduction in habitat availability for Caucasian black grouse which use the forest edge for living, lekking and hatching in upland. Our results provided quantitative data on habitat loss and fragmentation in Arasbaran Biosphere reserve and indicated negative impacts of the landscape structure changes on Black grouse habitat.
Key word:
Landscape metrics, Land use/cover changes, Habitat Loss, Caucasian black grouse, Arasbaran biosphere reserve