Assessing the potential of land use and land cover changes on the genetic diversity of goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountain range, Iran

The goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), historically widespread across the Middle East and Central Asia, is now facing a critical threat due to habitat fragmentation and population decline, particularly in Iran. To better understand the reason for the low genetic diversity of goitered gazelle p...

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Main Authors: Mojgan Asadollahi, Mostafa Keshtkar, Faraham Ahmadzadeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-02-01
Series:Environmental and Sustainability Indicators
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665972724002253
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author Mojgan Asadollahi
Mostafa Keshtkar
Faraham Ahmadzadeh
author_facet Mojgan Asadollahi
Mostafa Keshtkar
Faraham Ahmadzadeh
author_sort Mojgan Asadollahi
collection DOAJ
description The goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), historically widespread across the Middle East and Central Asia, is now facing a critical threat due to habitat fragmentation and population decline, particularly in Iran. To better understand the reason for the low genetic diversity of goitered gazelle populations, we combined a genetic analysis (cytb gene) like genetic diversity and demographic history using non-invasive sampling techniques with a land use/land cover study by land use dynamic degree models (LUDD) and landscape change process analysis. The selection study area is based on several populations of goitered gazelle that are located on the southern slope of the Alborz Mountain range in Iran. The results showed an alarming paucity of nucleotide diversity (0.0019) within these populations. At the same time, analysis of land use and land cover changes in the same area showed that over the past 30 years (1990–2020) urban areas have had the most increase among other land use classes (growth rate: 171%). The knowledge acquired from this research not only contributes to our understanding of the genetic makeup of goitered gazelle populations but also underscores the importance of addressing land use changes and their consequences on biodiversity. These findings emphasize the need for targeted conservation efforts to counteract the effects of urban growth on goitered gazelle habitats. Such strategies are crucial for securing the future of these populations in the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountain range and similar regions facing similar pressures.
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spelling doaj-art-dd91d4039daf44ffb6348a2dcdbb41bf2025-01-29T05:01:48ZengElsevierEnvironmental and Sustainability Indicators2665-97272025-02-0125100557Assessing the potential of land use and land cover changes on the genetic diversity of goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountain range, IranMojgan Asadollahi0Mostafa Keshtkar1Faraham Ahmadzadeh2Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, 1983963113, IranDepartment of Environmental Planning and Design, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, 1983963113, IranDepartment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, 1983963113, Iran; The corresponding authorThe goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), historically widespread across the Middle East and Central Asia, is now facing a critical threat due to habitat fragmentation and population decline, particularly in Iran. To better understand the reason for the low genetic diversity of goitered gazelle populations, we combined a genetic analysis (cytb gene) like genetic diversity and demographic history using non-invasive sampling techniques with a land use/land cover study by land use dynamic degree models (LUDD) and landscape change process analysis. The selection study area is based on several populations of goitered gazelle that are located on the southern slope of the Alborz Mountain range in Iran. The results showed an alarming paucity of nucleotide diversity (0.0019) within these populations. At the same time, analysis of land use and land cover changes in the same area showed that over the past 30 years (1990–2020) urban areas have had the most increase among other land use classes (growth rate: 171%). The knowledge acquired from this research not only contributes to our understanding of the genetic makeup of goitered gazelle populations but also underscores the importance of addressing land use changes and their consequences on biodiversity. These findings emphasize the need for targeted conservation efforts to counteract the effects of urban growth on goitered gazelle habitats. Such strategies are crucial for securing the future of these populations in the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountain range and similar regions facing similar pressures.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665972724002253Land useLand coverLandscapeGenetic diversityCytochrome bAlborz mountains
spellingShingle Mojgan Asadollahi
Mostafa Keshtkar
Faraham Ahmadzadeh
Assessing the potential of land use and land cover changes on the genetic diversity of goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountain range, Iran
Environmental and Sustainability Indicators
Land use
Land cover
Landscape
Genetic diversity
Cytochrome b
Alborz mountains
title Assessing the potential of land use and land cover changes on the genetic diversity of goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountain range, Iran
title_full Assessing the potential of land use and land cover changes on the genetic diversity of goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountain range, Iran
title_fullStr Assessing the potential of land use and land cover changes on the genetic diversity of goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountain range, Iran
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the potential of land use and land cover changes on the genetic diversity of goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountain range, Iran
title_short Assessing the potential of land use and land cover changes on the genetic diversity of goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountain range, Iran
title_sort assessing the potential of land use and land cover changes on the genetic diversity of goitered gazelle gazella subgutturosa in the southern slopes of the alborz mountain range iran
topic Land use
Land cover
Landscape
Genetic diversity
Cytochrome b
Alborz mountains
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665972724002253
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