Determination of the focus centers with high-priority conservation for birds Case Study: Naqadeh township

The creation of protected areas as natural reserves to prevent loss of biodiversity in the world is a key action. In the meantime, determination of the biological hotspots is considered as the most effective way to protect species. Among vertebrates, birds are indicator species to determine hotspot areas. This study was conducted to determine the hotspots bird area in the Naqadeh township. This study was conducted during 2010 and 2012, to collecting presence points of birds and analyzed using geographic information systems (GIS). In total, 145 bird species were identified in this township. The results of this study showed that the highest numerical values of the pixels were belonging to ecotone areas in the Naqadeh township. Also Aq-Qala and Solduz Wetlands, farmlands and Gadar River were identified as an important for biodiversity hotspots in this township. In total, three conservative hotspots with an area of respectively 4828, 1941 and 554 ha were identified for birds in the Naqadeh township, a total including 14% of the township's areas. According to the richness of the birds in the Naqadeh township, it is essential to find ways to manage and protect these patches. Determined patches overlapped 15% with managed area and 85% with free zones. According to high bird richness in this township, it is also recommended that similar studies be done in large scale to identify hotspots areas of birds in the country.