Investigating the Habitat Patches of the Baluchistan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus), Using Landscape Metrics (Case Study: Bahr Asman and Zaryab Areas, Kerman Province)

Habitat analysis using landscape metrics can be efficient in better management of habitat. As a critically endangered subspecies, the Baluchistan black bear is scattered in the Bahr Asman and Zaryab areas in Kerman province. The purpose of this study was to model the distribution of the sub-species and evaluate the quality of its habitat patches, using landscape metrics. Distribution modeling was conducted using an ensemble approach, resulting from the combination of presence-only and presence/pseudo-absence data in ModEco software. True Skill Statistic (TSS) threshold was applied to the ensemble model and the habitat patches were analyzed, using landscape metrics. The results showed that the distribution rage is beyond the border of the studied protected areas and the variables related to humidity had the greatest effect on the presence of the species. Based on the metrics analysis, habitat patches in the Zaryab wildlife refugee have higher connectivity and less margin than Bahr Asman protected area. In Bahr Asman protected area, the number of habitat patches is greater than the Zaryab wildlife refugee and the lack of continuity among the patches has led to the edge formation. The results of this study can be used for the habitat management of this critically endangered subspecies