Threatening and destructing factors associated with the habitat of francolin in Sistan region (Case study: Jazinak corridor)

Abstract

Birds as a great and valuable group of vertebrates constitute a part of the world’s ecosystems. Francolin F. francolinus belongs to the poultry family, and like other members of the family, it is hunted by humans because of the beauty and tender meat, although it is a protected bird. Jazinak corridor, with an area of about 130,000 hectares, is located in the southeastern part of Zabol—a city in the north of Sistan and Baluchestan province. The drought crises of Sistan in recent years have transformed the environmental conditions by changing the ecological indicators, and lack of food has reduced the bird’s desire to mate. The aim of this study was to examine the threatening and destructing factors associated with the habitat of francolin in Sistan region–Jazinak corridor. The research method was analytically and descriptively aided by field observations, and it was conducted using satellite images, questionnaires, and climatic parameters. The obtained results show that the drought has made a devastating strike on the population of this bird by destroying the farming, agriculture, and shrub lands which where used to be the actual environment, refuge, and the place of reproduction for it. In fact, the biggest impact of drought on francolin’s population is the destruction of its habitat. Hence, the remaining population of the francolin species requires a strong support.