Strategic conservation planning in steppe areas based on indicator species (case study: Asian houbara in the south of Kerman Province)

The Asian houbara (Chlamydotis macqueenii) is an important bird species in the steppe areas of Iran, including the south of Kerman. Populations of this species have significantly decreased due to various reasons, and the species is considered a threatened species. This approach was used to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities of the steppe areas in the south of Kerman province, which is the habitat and migration corridor of the Asian houbara, using quantitative and qualitative approaches and providing suitable management strategies in these areas. In this research, questionnaires were designed and completed by 15 experts in the region. Results showed that the most important strength is the geographic location of the region and its role as a corridor for species migration, and the most important weakness is the continuous drought, the lack of sufficient water resources in the south of Kerman, and the destruction of the vegetation in the region. Illegal hunting, poaching, live capture and smuggling of the Asian houbara were identified as the most important threatening factors due to the economic and cultural poverty of the people. The quantitative strategic planning matrix showed that the officials` attention to the region as one of the most important houbara habitats in the country and introducing the values of the rare and valuable species to the local community can motivate them to conserve their habitats. More scientific research projects about the capabilities of this region are also required. In addition, increasing the region`s security to prevent traffickers is important for strategic planning.