Introducing a novel zoning model in protected areas based on habitat connectivity analysis in habitat patches of Ovis orientalis in Varjin protected area

This article presents a novel zoning model for protected areas, emphasizing habitat connectivity analysis, in Varjin protected area, province of Tehran. Protected areas are an approach to biodiversity conservation and the provision of ecosystem services in ecologically valuable areas. Habitat connectivity analysis is becoming more important by increasing the intensity of human pressures and the emergence of resilience-based management plans. As a result, the location of each patch in the whole landscape plays a vital role in conservation. Considering this perspective, the zoning pattern of Varjin protected areas is discussed in this article based on habitat patches of wild sheep (Ovis orientalis). The selected connectivity indices are IF (patch scale) and IIC (landscape scale), modeled based on graph theory in the Graphab software and calculated on the Euclidean distance. After overlaying the obtained results, the patches on the east side of the region (patches 1 and 4) in both scales (local and landscape) have the highest index values. The results show 0.75 and 0.56 for the IIC index and 3.17E+15 and 3.84E+12 for the IF index. It is determined that patches located on the east side of the area (patches 1 and 4) at both scales show the highest index levels and should be prioritized in conservation plans. Finally, new areas for conservation have been introduced by overlaying the maps of habitat connectivity and conservation zoning of Varjin Protected Area. This article introduces the connectivity analysis for biodiversity conservation as a new step in developing a protected area zoning pattern. The model can be used for other areas as well.