Habitat protection of Ferula Ovina Boiss. as a medicine plant using habitat potential modeling (suggested model: ecological niche factor analysis)

Increasing human disturbances have caused habitat fragmentation and population descent in species drawing many researchers’ attention. Along with recent developments in 3S technology (i.e., GIS, RS and GPS), large scale herbal plant habitat modeling has become a new research hot spot. In this study, Ecological-niche factor analysis was used to generate Ferula ovina potential distribution map as a medicinal and industrial plant. stratified- random sampling approach has been used to provide 54 occurrence sample sites in the studied area (Feridonshar rangeland - Isfahan province). Environmental variables such as topography, soil and climate maps were produced using geo-statistical techniques in a 90m*90m resolution and the potential distribution map of F. ovina was generated. According to the results, the most important environmental factor influencing the ecological niche of F. ovina was the soil clay content followed by saturated soil moisture and electrical conductivity. Slope degree had a minor effect on the distribution of F. ovina. The marginality and specialization indices were equal to 0.747 and 1.712 respectively emphasizing the occurrence of F. ovina in marginal habitats. Model accuracy was evaluated by both Cohen’s kappa statistics (k=0.72) and cross validation (%89) methods. The results indicate good accuracy of the ENFA model. This model is suitable for sustainable management of rangeland ecosystems, reclamation and land protection.