Prioritization of Hotspots for Biodiversity Conservation in Yazd Province

Conservation of biodiversity and sustainable management of habitats are among the most important environmental challenges in arid and semi-arid regions. This study aimed to identify and prioritize biodiversity hotspots in Yazd province, evaluating the habitats of four species with conservation value, including the wild goat (Capra aegagrus), wild sheep (Ovis orientalis), gazelle (Gazella bennettii), and leopard (Panthera pardus), using the InVEST habitat quality model. Spatial statistical analyses such as Getis-Ord Gi and Local Moran’s I were used to identify the habitat hotspots, which were then assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Additionally, landscape metrics and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were employed to analyze the sustainability of the habitat hotspots. The results revealed that the suitable habitats for the species were located in areas far from residential and agricultural zones. The area of hotspots with high conservation value for the species was 11182.18 km² for Wild Goat, 8929.29 km² for Indian Gazelle, 12708.12 km² for wild sheep, and 6595.68 km² for Leopard. Landscape metrics, including connectivity, compactness, and complexity, significantly influenced the conservation value of the hotspots. Furthermore, PCA revealed that the first three components explained 94% of the data variance. The findings emphasize the importance of reducing human pressures and conserving habitat hotspots with favorable ecological characteristics.
Extended Abstract
1-Introduction
Environmental sustainability, as one of the key objectives of sustainable development, requires the protection of biodiversity and natural habitats, which support vital ecosystem services. Plant and animal species are interdependent, and a decline in biodiversity can have profound and irreversible effects on ecosystems, ultimately impacting human well-being. A crucial strategy for biodiversity conservation is identifying and prioritizing areas of high species richness, known as biodiversity hotspots. These are areas with high species diversity but are at significant risk of degradation due to climate change and human interventions. Prioritizing these areas for conservation programs is vital due to limited financial and time resources. Focusing on species-rich regions can enhance conservation effectiveness and prevent the destruction of critical habitats.
Yazd Province, characterized by arid and semi-arid climates and significant biodiversity among its plant and animal species, is one of Iran's critical ecological regions. Its diverse habitats, spanning deserts and mountainous areas, support species such as the Wild Goat (Capra aegagrus), Wild sheep (Ovis orientalis), Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii), and Leopard (Panthera pardus). These species hold high conservation value due to their specific habitat characteristics and their essential role in regional ecosystems. However, increased human activities, such as agricultural development and urban expansion, threaten these habitats and biodiversity.
This study aims to identify and prioritize the biodiversity hotspots in Yazd Province for the conservation of species with high conservation value. The use of the InVEST model and landscape ecology analysis methods allows for spatial data integration and assessment of environmental threats to identify areas requiring urgent conservation planning. This research contributes to the formulation of efficient strategies for biodiversity management and conservation in Yazd Province and serves as a model for sustainable conservation studies in other arid and semi-arid regions.
 
2-Materials and Methods
This study employed the InVEST model to assess habitat quality. Designed specifically for biodiversity analysis, the model integrates spatial data with environmental threat assessments. Input data included land-use maps (derived from Sentinel-1 satellite images), species occurrence points, threat intensity, and proximity to threat sources. Land-use maps were classified into 10 categories, including dense rangelands, semi-dense rangelands, sparse rangelands, residential areas, agricultural lands, roads, and mountainous areas.
To identify habitat hotspots, spatial statistical methods such as Getis-Ord Gi* and Local Moran's I were utilized. Getis-Ord Gi* identified hot and cold habitat spots based on Z-scores and P-values, while Local Moran's I analyzed the spatial correlation among habitat patches. Landscape metrics, including patch number, density, connectivity index, mean patch size, and isolation index, were used to assess habitat sustainability and connectivity. These metrics were calculated and analyzed using Fragstats software, and their importance was evaluated through Principal Component Analysis (PCA).
 
3- Results and Discussion
Habitat quality modeling results indicated that the habitats of the studied species were significantly affected by human activities and environmental threats. Optimal habitats (with quality values close to 1) were primarily located in areas distant from human settlements and agricultural lands. Habitat hotspot maps revealed areas of high conservation importance (HH) for Wild Goat, Wild sheep, Indian Gazelle, and Leopard, covering 11,182.18 km², 12,708.12 km², 8,929.29 km², and 6,595.68 km², respectively. These regions were mostly concentrated in the eastern and central parts of Yazd Province.
PCA identified three principal components explaining over 94% of the data variance. The first component included connectivity and compactness indices, playing a crucial role in determining the conservation value of habitat patches. The second component was associated with patch density and number.
Landscape metrics showed that increasing patch number and density resulted in more fragmented habitats, reducing their sustainability and increasing extinction risks for species. The isolation index indicated that patches with greater spatial dispersion supported lower biodiversity.
The findings highlighted the significant impact of human pressures, such as agricultural expansion and settlement growth, on natural habitats. Habitat fragmentation not only reduced ecological connectivity but also increased competition for limited resources among species. This underscores the importance of managing protected areas and establishing ecological corridors to connect patches.
Compared to similar studies, these results align with previous research affirming the negative impact of human activities on habitat quality. However, the use of the InVEST model in this study provided a more comprehensive analysis and precise results.
4- Conclusion
The study concludes that Yazd Province faces significant challenges in preserving natural habitats and biodiversity. Human activities, especially in agricultural and residential areas, have major negative impacts on habitat quality and connectivity. Consequently, conservation efforts must be pursued more rigorously to prevent further habitat degradation.