Determination of Carrying Capacity and Nutritional Dietary of Gazella Subgutturosa in Sorkh-e-Hesar National Park, Tehran province, Iran
Subject Areas : environmental managementElmira Kazemi Jahandizi 1 , Mohammad kaboli 2 , Mahmoud Karami 3 , Mahmoud Soufi 4
1 - M.Sc. Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environment, University of Sciences and Research, Tehran, Iran
2 - Associate Professor, Fishery and Environment, University of Natural Resources, Tehran University, Iran
3 - Associate Professor, Fishery and Environment, University of Natural Resources, Tehran University, Iran.
4 - M.Sc. Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environment, University of Sciences and Research, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: Gazella subgutturosa, Sorkhe-hesar national Park, Nutritional carrying capacity,
Abstract :
Introduction: Gazella subgutturosa, which is herbivorous and ruminating mammals, is one of theartiodactyls in Iran. This species is one of the most important herbivorous species of Iranian plain. It isalso distributed in some protected area like Sorkhe-hesar national Park. The aim of this project wasdetermination of Nutritional carrying capacity of habitat and amount of available forages in criticalseason by using cutting and weighing method.Methods: Primary observations have been performed for determination of habitat restrictions andmonitoring tracks of this species. Therefore total monitoring tracks for this species was measured 44Km. Then these tracks have been visited daily and exact points for species presenting were recordedby GPS. In addition, herbaceous species, which are feed by Gazella subgutturosa were identified andalso listed by direct observation. Dried weight and density of herbaceous species which were grazedby Gazella subgutturosa were detected and biomass of Gazella subgutturosa habitat was calculated aswell.In next section, nutritional carrying capacity of Gazella subgutturosa in critical period was measuredby using animal units and daily requirement of Gazella subgutturosa to feeding. Cutting andweighting method and direct observation were also used for this measurement.Discussion: At the end of this project, 15 herbaceous species from 8 classes, which are using byGazella subgutturosa and wild sheep, have been identified. Furthermore it is recognized that Poaceaewith 8 species have most diversity in Gazella subgutturosa diet. To sum up, total carrying capacity forGazella subgutturosa protection in this area has been calculated 56 and 107 units with and withoutcompetitor’s assumption respectively.
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