Desert Management

Desert Management

Assessment of the Impact of Water Resource Accessibility Costs on the Living Conditions of wild sheep (Ovis orientalis arkali) in Razavi Khorasan

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Ardakan University, Iran. P.O. Box 184, Ardakan
3 Supervision and Monitoring Expert of Environmental Protection Department, Bardskan, Razavi Khorasan, Iran
Abstract
This study assesses the impact of water resource accessibility costs on the living conditions of wild sheep (Ovis orientalis arkali) in Tandoureh National Park, located in Razavi Khorasan Province. Data on the presence of wild sheep were collected throughout the year 2024 through field studies and direct observations. Maximum entropy modeling was employed to identify areas with high habitat suitability, while the Cost Distance tool in ArcGIS was used to analyze the cost of access to water resources, accounting for factors such as slope and roads as environmental barriers to water accessibility. The results of the study indicated that the distribution of this species is strongly influenced by elevation, proximity to water sources, and vegetation cover. Habitat suitability map revealed that approximately 15.09% of the study area, equivalent to 5,384.71 ha, demonstrated high habitat suitability, with the most favorable habitats located in the southern and western regions of the park. Pearson correlation analysis also showed a significant negative relationship (r= -0.069) between water accessibility costs and habitat quality. In other words, as access to water resources becomes easier, habitat quality improves significantly. These findings suggest that effective management strategies, such as optimal distribution of water sources, are essential for protecting sensitive habitats and improving the living conditions of wild sheep. This study highlights the critical role of water resources in habitat quality, especially in semi-arid ecosystems. Management priorities in Tandoureh National Park should focus on improving access to water and conserving high-quality habitats to ensure the survival of the sp population. Establishing new watering points in strategic locations is vital to reduce access costs. In addition, protecting existing water sources and addressing environmental barriers such as steep slopes and fragmented vegetation can significantly enhance habitat conditions.
 
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Volume 13, Issue 1 - Serial Number 33
6 Article
Summer 2025
Pages 43-62

  • Receive Date 17 January 2025
  • Revise Date 10 March 2025
  • Accept Date 11 March 2025