Habitat suitability modeling of some wild mammals distributed in the kaz mountain region

In this thesis, it is aimed to create habitat suitability maps for some wild mammal species distributed in the Kaz Mountain region by correlating data of species with environmental and climate variables. Camera trap data were analyzed using TimeLapse2 software. A total of 50 environmental base maps covering the study area were generated. The relationship between the species and base maps was modeled using Random Forest. Daily and monthly activity patterns were created with R Studio. Statistically significant species were determined as the golden jackal, red fox, wildcat, badger, stone marten, wild boar, roe deer, and wild hare. The R2 values of the models and their variables were as follows: for the golden jackal, 0.48, bio1, roughness, bio3, tpi; for the red fox, 0.55, bio4, tpi, ruggedness; for the wildcat, 0.47, bio3, bio1, ruggedness; for the badger, 0.49, ruggedness, bio3, roughness, bio1, bio13, bio4, convergence; for the stone marten, 0.46, tpi, bio4, bio13; for the wild boar, 0.54, roughness, noon, ri, 8am, bio3, ruggedness; for the roe deer, 0.58, roughness, 8am, aspect, ri, tpi; and for the wild hare, 0.42, tpi, roughness, and bio1. Daily activity patterns showed species varied their activity times due to competition, predation pressure, foraging, and resting. Monthly activity patterns showed seasonal differences due to food abundance, breeding season, and parental care. The results provide significant data on the species and their habitats in the study and offer a guide for conservation efforts with the potential to extend the maps to other areas.