Study of topography and climate effects on brown bear Ursus arctos (Linneaus, 1758): Carnivora, Ursidae distribution in south of Iran with use of Geographic Information System (GIS)

So far 194 mammal species have been recorded form Iran including brown bear (Ursus arctos) and black bear (Ursus thibetanus). In Iran، the distribution of brown bear is confined to mountain forests of Alborz and Zagros and the Fars province is southern most range boundary for this species. In this study، the brown bear distribution was determined and then its habitat status was studied from topographic and climatic points of view using of Arc GIS 9. 2 software. Based on combination of different data layers with distribution map of this species، it is found that more than 80 % of its signs and traces are observed in mountain regions، more than 50 % in elevation range of 2002-2405m، 48. 4% in slope range of 10-15% and 45. 34 % in semidry climate، 41. 93% in precipitation range of 600-700 mm in year and mostly in cool regions. The results of this survey could be important in modeling habitats of this species and used for its better habitat management.