Effects of Environmental Variables on the Distribution of the Iranian Ground Jay

The Iranian Ground Jay or Pleske's Ground Jay Podoces pleskei, belonging to the genus Podoces and the family Corvidae, is the only endemic bird species to Iran. The distribution of this species is restricted to isolated patches in arid and semi-arid areas of the central and eastern parts of the country. There is lack of information about the species distribution and preferred habitats in Kerman Province and there have only been identified low-density patches with high distribution here. In this study, we aimed mapping the species' preferred habitats and areas with high potentiality for the species distribution. This mapping process was based on the presence points and using biogeoclimatic variables that influence the distribution of the Iranian Ground Jay. Findings of this research indicated that the annual mean temperature and precipitation were the most influential variables and the slope had the most unique information on the distribution of this species in the study area. An area of 5.5 percent of the Kerman conservation areas, are suitable habitats for the Iranian Ground Jay. The most desirable temperature ranged from 5°C to 25°C and the most desirable range of precipitation was between 100 and 200 mm. Rangeland areas with low to medium quality and plant cover of 15 to 45% were preferred areas for the species and areas with 25 to 50 percent vegetation cover density had the most suitability for the Iranian Ground Jay. Habitat suitability has inversely related to the distance from roads. The logistic predicted potential distribution map indicated that more than 17 percent of the province, an area of about 31,000 km2 , is suitable habitat for the Iranian Ground Jay. According to the results, the significant parts of the species' suitable habitats were outside of the national protected areas and should be planned for the nature conservation purposes.