Summer and Autumn Habitat Selection of Gazella subgutrrosa Based on Plant Communities (Case Study: Kalmand Plain in Yazd Province)

Habitat is one of the significant factors for species protection and determining the pattern of wildlife species distribution and their habitat selection is an important part of managing wildlife and its habitat. So, the purpose of this study is to investigate the habitat selection of Gazella subgutrrosa in Kalmand Conservation Area. Sampling was carried out using random steady transects 200 meters long by 2 meters wide and with two replications during five field investigations. When dung groups were observed, a 10*10 plot was placed in the center of the dung masses and the environmental variables were measured. Then, dung was removed for further monitoring and the transects were investigated every 45 days. The results showed that there is a significant difference among three plant communities in terms of dung group density. The most and the least utilization by deer was related to Artemisia-lactuca and other Artemisia communities, respectively, but there is no significant difference between Artemisia and Artemisia-Salsola communities in terms of habitat use. The Artemisia-lactuca community had the least distance to the nearest post and the Artemisia-Salsola community had the least distance to the nearest water sources and the road. The Artemisia community also had the least distance to the nearest farm. There was no significant difference between the two seasons in terms of dung group density in plant communities. It seems that Artemisia-lactuca community provided better refuge (because the Astragalus species is part of this community), greater safety (because of being near to the post), and more food and water resources (because of the presence of Artemisia and Astragalus species) for Gazella subgutrrosa compared to the other communities.