Landscape Planning for Conservation, Based on the InVEST Model of Habitat Quality and Ecological Impact Assessment of Road Network in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari Province

One of the primary goals of conservation portfolio selection approaches is to create   a functional landscape or network of sites that can  support all elements of biodiversity and minimize the  environmental risk to critical habitats and species. As human activities, especially roads network development, can be regarded as one of the most important risk elements for the valuable habitats and species of the Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari Province, it is necessary to evaluate the habitat’s condition and ecosystem services for the purpose of  conservation planning,  as well as minimizing the negative impacts of the roads network on the ecosystem services and habitats. So, for this purpose,  first, the habitat quality of Capra aegagrus was modeled using the InVEST module (Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Tradeoff). Then, the ecological impacts of roads network were assessed using the spatial landscape index. Finally, the degree of the protected areas was determined and some mitigation measures were introduced.  The results of this study revealed that approximately 45 percent of Ch & B Province, including Tang-e-Syyad national park and and the  Sabzkouh protected area, could be considered as the suitable habitats for the Wild goat. However, about 28 percent of this province is negatively affected by roads network, thereby highlighting the importance of identifying the priority areas for conservation and mitigation measures.