Habitat Suitability Modeling of the Greater Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii) in Iran Using Maxent

Purpose: Increasing human-wildlife conflicts have made it crucial to understand species distribution for effective wildlife management and conservation. Habitat suitability modelling has become an important approach to predict species occurrence. This study focuses on assessing habitat suitability for the great mongoose (Iran) using environmental variables. Methods: The Maxent model in the R software was applied to map habitat suitability. A total of ۳۷ presence points and ۱۳ environmental variables were used for analysis. Key factors influencing the species’ nationwide distribution were identified. Results: Results indicate that human footprint is a major variable affecting the great mongoose’s habitat and survival. Conservation strategies should focus on reducing human impacts and establishing protected areas. Alongside habitat protection, educating local communities about the species’ role in controlling snakes and rodents can enhance its social acceptance. Conclusion: The human footprint is a major factor influencing the habitat suitability of the great mongoose in Iran, highlighting its vulnerability to human activities. Conservation actions, including habitat protection through the establishment of protected areas, are essential. Additionally, raising community awareness of the species’ valuable role in controlling snakes and rodents can help reduce conflict and enhance local support for its conservation.

Keywords:

Habitat suitability modelling , Maxent model , Great mongoose , Human-wildlife conflict , Environmental variables , Species distribution conservation