Seasonal variation in the density of the Persian leopard in the Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran
7 affiliations
- 1Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran; Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran; Corresponding author at: Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
- 2School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, West Valley campus, P.O. Box 37100, Phoenix, AZ, 85069-7100, United States
- 3Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
- 4Department of Environment, Mazandaran Provincial Office, Mazandaran, Iran
- 5Department of life sciences, faculty of sciences and technology, Centre for functional ecology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- 6Kiasar National Park Rangers' Assistants, Iran
- 7Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Iran
Abstract
Habitat compression increasingly confines Persian leopards ( Panthera pardus tulliana ) to the cores of protected areas, where refuge effects influence their spatial distribution and density. Understanding these patterns is crucial for effective habitat management, prey conservation, and mitigating intra- and interspecific competition. This study assessed Persian leopard density in Kiasar National Park and Dodangeh Wildlife Refuge across the cold and warm seasons, functioning as core habitats within the surrounding Hyrcanian–Alborz landscapes. Using camera traps and closed-population capture–recapture models over 12 months, we estimated seasonal leopard abundance and converted abundance estimates to density using a half mean maximum distance moved (HMMDM)-buffered effective sampling area. Camera traps recorded 18 individual Persian leopards (10 males and 8 females). HMMDM-based density estimates were 2.43 leopards/100 km² in the cold season and 3.36 leopards/100 km² in the warm season. Most individuals showed higher activity during the cold season. Our findings provide baseline information on Persian leopards in Kiasar National Park and Dodangeh Wildlife Refuge, highlighting these areas as relatively dense refuges for leopards in northern Iran. Individuals appear to concentrate in these areas, especially during the warm season, potentially due to habitat compression associated with livestock and human activities. To mitigate these pressures and their ecological consequences, expanding protected area boundaries, prioritizing prey-rich habitats, and maintaining continuous ranger patrols are essential, as they reduce habitat compression, lower intra- and interspecific competition, and enhance leopard survival.
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BibTeX
@article{tizrouyan2026seasonal,
title = {{Seasonal variation in the density of the Persian leopard in the Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran}},
author = {Mehdi Tizrouyan and Ali Lotfi and Farid Salmanpour and Kaveh Ateni Mofrad and Panteha Ardani and Eshagh Sadati and Omid Hedayatpour and Mohsen Yasari and Amirhosein Gohardehi and Mohammad Abbaszadeh and Alireza Ebrahimi},
journal = {Global Ecology and Conservation},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04404},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04404},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Seasonal variation in the density of the Persian leopard in the Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran
AU - Mehdi Tizrouyan
AU - Ali Lotfi
AU - Farid Salmanpour
AU - Kaveh Ateni Mofrad
AU - Panteha Ardani
AU - Eshagh Sadati
AU - Omid Hedayatpour
AU - Mohsen Yasari
AU - Amirhosein Gohardehi
AU - Mohammad Abbaszadeh
AU - Alireza Ebrahimi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/31
JO - Global Ecology and Conservation
DO - 10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04404
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04404
AB - Habitat compression increasingly confines Persian leopards ( Panthera pardus tulliana ) to the cores of protected areas, where refuge effects influence their spatial distribution and density. Understanding these patterns is crucial for effective habitat management, prey conservation, and mitigating intra- and interspecific competition. This study assessed Persian leopard density in Kiasar National Park and Dodangeh Wildlife Refuge across the cold and warm seasons, functioning as core habitats within the surrounding Hyrcanian–Alborz landscapes. Using camera traps and closed-population capture–recapture models over 12 months, we estimated seasonal leopard abundance and converted abundance estimates to density using a half mean maximum distance moved (HMMDM)-buffered effective sampling area. Camera traps recorded 18 individual Persian leopards (10 males and 8 females). HMMDM-based density estimates were 2.43 leopards/100 km² in the cold season and 3.36 leopards/100 km² in the warm season. Most individuals showed higher activity during the cold season. Our findings provide baseline information on Persian leopards in Kiasar National Park and Dodangeh Wildlife Refuge, highlighting these areas as relatively dense refuges for leopards in northern Iran. Individuals appear to concentrate in these areas, especially during the warm season, potentially due to habitat compression associated with livestock and human activities. To mitigate these pressures and their ecological consequences, expanding protected area boundaries, prioritizing prey-rich habitats, and maintaining continuous ranger patrols are essential, as they reduce habitat compression, lower intra- and interspecific competition, and enhance leopard survival.
SN - 2351-9894
ER -