Journal of Crop Production and Processing

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Population of Persian gazelle has been declining in recent decades and as a result, this species was added to the IUCN list of threatened species in 2006. However, there is paucity of ecological data about this species within its range. Mooteh Wildlife Refuge is one of the best habitats of Persian gazelle in Iran where one of the biggest populations of this species live. Habitat selection by threatened Persian gazelle was studied in three seasons in Mouteh wildlife refuge. Habitat use was related to plant communities and plant vegetation variables using clearance transect pellet group counts carried out every 45th day. The effects of water resources and disturbance by man and livestock were controlled. Habitat selection was significantly different between seasons and plant communities. Salt bearing clay soils with a high diversity of holophyte plants were mostly used particularly over winter, while Artemisia- Zygophyllum community was avoided in all seasons. Minimal models resulting from multiple regression retained a number of vegetation variables in each season including a negative effect of Tamarix sp. and Alhaji camelorum and a positive effect of Halocnemum strobilaceum and Salsola dendroide in autumn and winter. It is concluded that selection of habitat by Persian gazelle changes by seasons and that salt-bearing soils and Artemisia-Salsola community are the most important habitats for gazelles in Mouteh Wildlife Refuge.

Keywords: Gazella subgutturosa, Mouteh wild life refuge, Habitat selection, Pellet group count

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