Determination of potential distribution of wolf (Canis lupus) with habitat suitability model in Sinop Boyabat region

Carnivores play important roles in ecosystems. Therefore, understanding the ecology of carnivores is important for the protection and sustainability of these ecosystems. For an effective wildlife management, it is important to understand the ecology of species belonging to wildlife and to explain their relationship with their habitats. The distribution of species belonging to wildlife is related to many ecological factors. One of the approaches used in recent years to explain these connections is ecological models. In this thesis, habitat suitability model of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) which has an important distribution in Boyabat District of Sinop province was performed and the potential distribution areas of the species within the boundaries of the district were determined. For this purpose, one wolf was monitored with a GPS collar and cameratrap studies were carried out in the area where the species was distributed. In addition to these observations were made by using direct and indirect observation methods. As a result of the modeling, the AUC value was found as 0.849. Study was expected to shed light on the conservation and management studies related to the species. Key Words: Canis lupus, ecological modelling, wildlife, Sinop