Identifying wildlife ecological corridors between Kastamonu Ilgaz mountain and Gavurdaği wildlife reserve

This study was carried out in Kastamonu Ilgaz Mountain Wildlife Reserve and Gavurdagi Wildlife Reserve between 2021-2023. It was aimed to determine the wildlife ecological corridors for brown bear (Ursus arctos), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), gray wolf (Canis lupus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) which were determined as target species. In the study, detection of target species was obtained by using transect method, indirect observations and the camera-trap method, The method of the study was discussed in two stages. First of all, Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) software was used to create habitat suitability models of the target species, which is based on the presence-only data approach. In this context, the data obtained as a result of the inventory techniques of the target species and the environmental variables were analyzed in seven replications in the MaxEnt method. Habitat suitability models were created separately for each of the target species and the ROC values of the models were 0.835 for brown bear; 0.826 for roe deer; 0.817 for red deer; 0.827 for gray wolf and 0.808 for the wild boar. In the second stage, Linkage Mapper Software, which is based on the Circuit Theory approach by using Geographic Information Systems, was used to create wildlife ecological corridors. Connectivity maps were obtained for each of the species, and then the focal nodes and resistance surface areas in these maps were determined. As a result, important wildlife ecological corridors between the two sites were determined for our target species, brown bear, roe deer, red deer, gray wolf and wild boar. This thesis study is the first detailed thesis on corridor ecology in Türkiye. For this reason, it is expected that the study will lead to other studies to be carried out. In addition, it is thought to make significant contributions to wildlife studies and wildlife management in our country.