Document Type : Research Paper

Abstract

Small mammals, especially rodents, play an important functional role in the ecological processes of the landscape and food chain in the ecosystem. Water vole has a wide distribution and is considered as a pest in parts of its distribution range. The Valley of Shara is a suitable habitat for branch birds, especially of the Arvicola amphibious. This study was conducted from 2018 in the Shara river, Intermediate of between the Duab bridge and the Goshirvan bridge in 2.5km distance from the river, Using of Habitat Biodiversity Modeler (HBM) method, With Modele of Maxent in the Terrset and Arc Gis13.1 softwares , and with variables 8 of such as: slope, elevation, proximity to the river, distance from the road, NDVI, water depth, land use, distance from the village. Results show, The Valley of Shara is the southeastern part of the habitat of the Arvicola amphibious in Iran. The validity of Maxent model is equal to (0.994), which indicates excellent performance. The most important variables affecting the desirability of the water vole habitat is the distance from river. And the variables of slope and distance from road are in the next ranks. The water vole is considered as a key species for Shara valley. that the destruction of the habitat of this species is aggravated by disasters and natural hazards in the valley. Therefore, that providing and protecting the habitat needs of this species will restore and protect the river.

Keywords

• Shara river
• Arvicola amphibious
• Maxent
• Habitat evaluation
• Khondab

Main Subjects

• Ecology