Mapping habitat suitability and mapping of anatolia mouflon in nallihan district, ankara

This study aims to assess the habitat suitability of the endemic and threatened Anatolian wild sheep (Ovis gmelinii anatolica) in the Ankara–Nallıhan region using the MaxEnt modeling approach. A total of 1,052 presence records collected via indirect survey methods between 2017 and 2018 were used in conjunction with CHELSA climate data and topographic variables. The resulting model yielded a high AUC value (0.94), indicating excellent predictive performance. The most influential environmental variables were slope, annual mean temperature, total precipitation, and aspect. Habitats located between 900–1300 m altitude, with southern exposure and moderate slopes, showed the highest suitability. The habitat suitability map revealed that only 22% of the study area falls within the high-suitability category, suggesting limited carrying capacity in the reintroduction site. Findings highlight the necessity of integrating landscape connectivity, grazing pressure, and climate change considerations into conservation planning. The MaxEnt model provides a robust scientific basis for future conservation and reintroduction strategies for the species, supporting evidence-based management decisions.