PREDICTING THE STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE NUBIAN IBEX (Capra nubiana) IN THE HIGH-ALTITUDE MOUNTAINS OF SOUTH SINAI (EGYPT)

Abstract

Nubian Ibex (Capra nubiana) is a one of the few species of large mammal species in the Egyptian fauna. The range inhabited by the species in the mountains of Sinai represents an important bridge between its distribution in Asia and Africa. The impact of various environmental factors shaping its distribution were investigated using distribution modeling methods. Maximum entropy modeling showed that presence of water resources is most influential in the species distribution in south Sinai, followed by slope, habitat, altitude and finally aspect. The current range of the species was estimated as 506 square kilometers in the mountains of south Sinai.