Modeling the Habitat suitability of Ovis orientalis, the most important prey of cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) Using Maximum Entropy method In Dareh Anjir Wildlife Refuge

Ovis orientalis is a species from the Artiodactyla order and the Bovidae family. The subspecies of Ovis orientalis are classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Dare Anjir wildlife refuge is the best and safest habitats of this species in the center of Iran. The present study is done with the aim of determining the effective factors in the presence of Ovis orientalis using MAXENT during 2012 to 2013 for seasons winter (cold period), spring (lambing), summer (hot and dry period) and autumn (mating period). Environmental factors used in model for three seasons are elevation, Slope, aspect, distance to water resources, distance to plant communities, distance to roads (soily and asphalted) and distance to mines. Results (with used MAXENT Software) show that the most important factor in the presence of Ovis orientalis as one of the most important food resources for Acinonyx jubatus (Asiatic Cheetah) (Critically Endangered) in the study area, in winter, spring, summer and autumn is slope. According to the prediction (with MAXENT Software), north, center and south east areas of Dare Anjir wildlife refuge which are the most suitable habitat for Acinonyx jubatus (Asiatic Cheetah) and its dependent predators for three seasons have the most probability of presence of ovis. The result of the present study could be used in performing conservation and management for increasing suitable habitats in Yazd province.