Habitat Risk Assessment of the Persian Leopard in Golestan National Park Using InVEST Model

Abdollahi, Sedighe; Morovati, Maryam

doi:10.22111/jneh.2025.50586.2090

Habitat Risk Assessment of the Persian Leopard in Golestan National Park Using InVEST Model

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Sedighe Abdollahi ¹
Maryam Morovati ²

¹ Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran

² Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Ardakan University, P.O. Box 184, Ardakan, Iran & Water, Energy and Environment Research Institute, Ardakan University, P.O.Box184, Ardakan, Iran

10.22111/jneh.2025.50586.2090

Abstract

The Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) is a key carnivore species in Iran's ecosystems, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. This species faces numerous threats, including habitat destruction, poaching, declining natural prey populations, and pressure from human development. Golestan National Park, one of the leopard's key habitats, has recently been affected by human activities such as the expansion of agricultural lands, increased livestock grazing, road construction, and the growth of nearby villages. This study aims to identify and analyze sensitive habitat areas for the Persian leopard in Golestan National Park and to examine the impact of human factors on its habitat using the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs) model. In this research, four major human-induced threats were identified: agricultural lands, proximity to villages, livestock grazing, and roads. The results indicated that roads and access routes have the most significant negative impact on leopard habitats, with a cumulative risk percentage of 15.8% and a high consequence score (2.26). These factors are considered a major cause of habitat fragmentation, breaking up continuous habitats into isolated patches and limiting the safe movement of leopards. Furthermore, excessive livestock grazing, with a risk percentage of 12.56%, leads to vegetation degradation and reduces the food sources for the leopard’s natural prey, such as wild goats and sheep. Agricultural lands, through the destruction of natural habitats and increasing human-wildlife interaction, have serious consequences for the habitat. Meanwhile, village proximity, with a 6.41% risk, escalates human-wildlife conflicts and increases the likelihood of leopards being killed by local communities in defence of their livestock. The results of this study not only emphasize the importance of preserving natural habitats but also provide a solid foundation for developing effective management strategies and planning for the conservation of endangered species.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Environmental Hazards

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