بررسي مهره داران هم زيستگاه با خرس قهوها ي ( Ursus arctos ) در استان فارس در راستاي برنامه ريزي و مديريت بهتر زيستگاه هاي اين گونه

A study on the vertebrate species co-existing with the Brown Bear (Ursus arctos), Linnaeus, (Ursidae) in Fars province for a better programming and habitat management of this species

Wild life is an important biological parameter in every ecosystem and an important criterion in the field of biological diversity. Protecting wild life necessitates the identification of the different species as well as their interactions with each other and with their habitats. The lack of knowledge on the contribution of animals to the biological diversity and their interaction with the environment has resulted in the extinction of certain animal species and the disappearance of their habitats. Even in a lot of protected areas many species are on the verge of extinction. Brown Bear (Ursos arctos) has long been an inhabitant of the northern, western and southwestern areas of the country, but the ongoing destruction of their habitat as well as the human interference has resulted in a decrease in their population and distribution. This study was aimed at assessing the conditions of the Brown Bear habitat and identifying their coexisting species with the hope of providing a better strategy for a proper management of their habitats. Along with the recognition of the properties of the Brown Bear habitats, some of its coexisting species were also sampled and identified. The data collected through this study demonstrate a very high diversity in vertebrate species (161 species) that include; 27 mammals, 82 birds, 22 reptiles, 3 amphibians and 27 fishes. Of all the identified species, 2 species of fishes, 3 species of amphibians, 1 species of reptiles, 70 species of birds and 15 species of mammals are on the IUCN red list. Of these, one species is listed as endangered and five as vulnerable in this list, while three species have been considered as endangered by the internal regulations. Therefore, considering the conservation and management of these co-existing species in the Brown Bear management program in this province appears inevitable.