Environmental and Nature Conservation in IranImpact of human activities on survival of the Japanese black bear

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1976
Authors:Firouz, E, Azuma, S, Torii, H
Journal:Environmental Conservation
Volume:3
Pagination:71-79
Date Published:1976
ISBN Number:0376-8929
Keywords:Acinonyx jubatus, Equus hemionus, Ovis ammon, Ursus thibetanus
Abstract:

ABSTRACT A brief description is given of the physiography, climate, and natural vegetation, of Iran. Subsequently an analysis is made of the environmental problems which are building up to crisis proportions. Of particular concern is the alteration and destruction of natural ecosystems through the impact of Man over a period of many centuries. As a result of H. I. M. the Shahanshah's personal attention to this problem, forests were nationalized, range improvement measures have been instigated, and the Department of the Environment has undertaken a comprehensive programme of conservation and management of areas of national importance.A programme of scientific investigation and management of wildlife resources has been initiated. Intensive studies of Wild Sheep, gazelles, and Persian Ibex, are now under way. In all reserves the condition of the vegetation is closely monitored. Due to these measures, wildlife populations have increased in most reserves. Iran has some of the finest wetlands in south-west Asia, and has made much progress towards their preservation, over one million hectares of the most important wetlands being now fully protected.The Department of the Environment has had considerable success in its programme of protection of endangered species—including the Onager, the Persian Fallow Deer, the Asiatic Black Bear, the Asiatic Cheetah, the Marsh Crocodile, the Great Bustard, and the Caucasian Black Grouse. The future of these species is now almost certainly ensured in national reserves.Iran now has four categories of reserves: National Parks, Protected Areas, Wildlife Refuges, and National Nature Monuments. Thirteen National Parks have recently been approved. Currently there are 27 Wildlife Refuges. An extension of this network of national reserves is planned within an international framework.The range of the Japanese subspecies of the Himalayan black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus japonicus) has declined in western Honshu. In Kyushu and Shikoku, local populations are approaching extinction. Meanwhile, the annual harvest of bears has increased from less than 1,000 to 2,000 between 1950 and 1972, largely resulting from the increasing number of control kills. The distribution dynamics and the ecological consequences of the impact of human activities on 4 subpopulations were studied. Reductions in bear range and outbreaks of tree damage by bears were found closly associated with the rapid disappearance of natural forest. Present control practices and the various types of habitat destruction made these subpopulations increasingly vulnerable, and in 2 cases, partial or complete elimination of a subpopulation was confirmed.

URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0376892900017720
Thu, 2014-03-20 12:47 -- admin
https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ade1b012674ce3dd941e2ea5dd15cc1.jpg?d=https%3A//mammals.indianbiodiversity.org/sites/all/modules/contrib/gravatar/avatar.png&s=100&r=G
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith