Composition and Species Diversity of Vertebrates in Ardabil Province

The study of species diversity of vertebrates in Ardabil Provinceis one way to identify the strengths and weaknesses of thenatural environment of the province for the protection andmanagement of species and habitat. In this research project, wehave collected and produced information through conducting afield operation. As a first step, Ardabil's ecosystem wasclassified and identified and, after scoping, the ecological factors(climate, water sources, plant cover, shelter and security) werestudied. For the next step, vertebrates were identified separately,classified in terms of species, habitat and nutrition, andevaluated according to national, CITES and IUCN standards. Inthis way, index species were determined and their populationwas measured by direct observation. The population density wasestimated at the base level along with the minimum population,dispersed areas in the province were specified and theirbiological conditions and other species present were alsoidentified. In most habitats, four main factors - water, food,security and shelter - are threatened by destruction, hunting and human activities. So, index species face population decrease and biological crisis and, out of a total number of 287identified vertebrates, 8 species are in danger of extinction and 62 species supported. According to international standards, 39 species are listed in a CITES appendix and 21 species are in the IUCN Redbook. Furthermore, the generation of two species of Goitered gazelle and Greal bustard in this province’s habitats have become extinct. Destruction of habitat, lack of ample security and decrease in food resources are the main factors leading to the extinction of species, and the responsibility of each of these factors has been estimated at 53% - 39%, 4%, respectively. The preservation of habitat by establishing protected areas in Agdag and the preservation of species by setting up a prohibited hunting area in the Sabalan Mountain and Aras River areas are the main management policies for the conservation and protection of the animal community in Ardabil Province.