Posted 08/22/23
Human activity is causing a decline in biodiversity through landscape alteration, although long-term evaluation of land cover changes is difficult due to a lack of data. Afag Rizayeva is studying the impact of this on eight ungulate species in the biodiversity-rich Caucasus ecoregion using land cover maps from Corona satellite images. The study will evaluate over half a century of habitat changes and help guide wildlife conservation efforts.
Landscapes are undergoing continuous transformation, with both natural and human factors causing the destruction of some habitats and the formation of others. While wildlife can adapt to natural changes, the current scale of human-made landscape alterations is much greater than nature’s ability to adapt. Some species can thrive in human-made landscapes, but others are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss.
Azerbaijan, a country in the Caucasus region with rich biodiversity and a long history of human-driven land cover changes. For conservation and sustainable management there, it is critical to understand the impacts of landscape changes on wildlife habitats. The changes in the Caucasus eco-region have accelerated in the 20th century due to population growth and Soviet nature-transformation efforts. A new study by Afag Rizayeva aims to understand the impact of these changes on the habitats of eight ungulate species, including common animals like wild boar and roe deer, as well as a rare species of gazelle. With landscapes constantly changing due to natural and human causes, it is increasingly important to understand how these changes are affecting wildlife populations.
Afag has developed the Caucasus land cover maps for the 1960s using former spy satellite images (Corona) and has analyzed the long-term changes in these landscapes using recent land cover maps derived from Landsat images. Her research begins by using the presence data of eight ungulate species, conducting species distribution modeling to evaluate their current ranges and the landscape features that are most important to each species.
Next, Afag will analyze the changes in land cover within each species’ range, determining stable areas, habitat gains and losses, and assessing the positive or negative effects of these changes on the species’ habitats. This will enable her to determine if the species can continue to use the same areas despite human activities, or if they require urgent land management solutions to protect them. The results of Afag’s study will help guide wildlife conservation planning and will be used by local NGOs and government agencies. As human impact on nature is a global issue, the methodological approach she develops in her research will have applications in other regions facing similar issues.
In conclusion, understanding the impact of long-term land cover changes on wildlife habitats is crucial for conservation and sustainable management. The research being conducted by Afag Rizayeva will provide valuable insights into this issue and help guide efforts to protect the wild species in Azerbaijan and beyond. Stay tuned!
Story by Rogova, Natalia