Habitat relations, habitat use and ecological niche modelling of large mammals in Kastamonu-Ballıdağ and Kurtgirmez regions

Wildlife, including wild animals, is of great importance in terms of the continuity of life in the biosphere due to their roles in ecological and biological processes. The aim of this study is to determine the diurnal, annual and seasonal activity patterns of large mammal species in Kastamonu-Ballıdağ and Kurtgirmez regions and to reveal environmental factors by creating habitat suitability models of the species. In this study large mammal species existing in Kastamonu Balldağ and Kurtgirmez region were determined by using the camera trap method. Brown bear (Ursus arctos), jackal (Canis aureus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), wolf (Canis lupus), marten (Martes sp.), badger (Meles meles), otter (Lutra lutra), fox (Vulpes vulpes), lynx (Lynx lynx), wild boar (Sus scrofa), wild cat (Felis silvestris) and Brown hare (Lepus europeaus) were identified. Activity patterns were created from the camera trap data of the species. When the daily activity rates of the species were examined, it was seen that brown bear, jackal, red deer, wolf, lynx showed catemeral behavior, marten, fox, wild boar, wild cat, Brown hare mostly nocturnal, and roe deer mostly diurnal. The relative abundance values of the species were calculated in both study areas, while the first three species with the highest relative abundance value in Ballıdağ were roe deer, hare and fox, while the lowest relative abundance value was the badger. While the first three species with the highest relative abundance value in Kurtgirmez region were roe deer, wolf and fox, the species with the lowest relative abundance value was red deer. Shannon Wiener diversity index value for Ballıdağ locality H'=2.007; for Kurtgirmez locality, H'=1.817 was calculated. Habitat suitability models were created in Ballıdağ and Kurtgirmez locations, and the environmental and climate variables that affect the habitat preferences of the species were revealed. According to the findings, the most important environmental factors affecting the distribution of the species were stand type, land class, distance to the road, slope, altitude, distance to the water sources. It was concluded that the species avoids areas with high slopes and high human pressure and prefers forested areas close to water sources.