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چکیده
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Habitat quality is a crucial ecosystem service that reflects the ability of ecosystems to support and safeguard animal and plant populations and species. The Mazandaran province, located in the north of Iran, is an ecologically significant region due to its Hyrcanian forests and proximity to the Caspian Sea. However, in recent decades, the development and conversion of land uses have had a negative impact on the region. This study aims to evaluate the impact of land use on habitat quality in Mazandaran province. The land use map was created using Sentinel 1 and 2 land cover data in Google Earth Engine. Habitat quality was modeled using the InVEST model and analyzed using hot spot analysis in ArcGIS 10.7. The study revealed that habitats located in the central parts of the province were the most favorable, while the northern parts, including the plains and coastal areas, were the least favorable. Forests were found to be the most desirable habitats, while build-up areas were the least desirable. The hotspot analysis indicated that hot and cold habitat spots accounted for 10.5% and 13.8% of the region, respectively, at a 99% confidence level. The study results can aid in identifying habitat quality and prioritizing conservation efforts for the study area's managers and planners.
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