Integrating Line Transect Distance Sampling and Spatial Analysis to Assess Local Density and Habitat Use of Capra aegagrus in Batman Province, Türkiye

TL;DR

This study combines spatial analysis and distance sampling to assess the density and habitat use of Capra aegagrus in Batman Province, Türkiye.

Contribution

The integration of spatial regression and distance sampling provides a novel approach to estimate local density and habitat use in fragmented mountainous landscapes.

Findings

A 10% increase in built land proportion was associated with a 31% decline in habitat use intensity.

The southern stratum showed higher relative encounter intensity and strong spatial structuring (λ = 0.92).

Estimated local density was 6.47 individuals/km² with overlapping confidence intervals between sub-regions.

Abstract

Understanding local population density and spatial habitat use is essential for wildlife conservation in fragmented mountainous landscapes. This study examined the habitat use patterns of Capra aegagrus in the mountainous regions of Batman, Türkiye, using Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and spatial regression modeling. Significant spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s I = 0.799, p < 0.001) justified the use of a Spatial Error Model (AIC = −254.59). Built land proportion had a strong negative effect, with a 10% increase associated with a 31% decline in KDE intensity. Elevation also showed a modest negative association with habitat use intensity, whereas slope and bare land proportion were positively associated. The southern stratum exhibited higher relative encounter intensity, and the spatial autoregressive parameter (λ = 0.92) indicated strong spatial structuring. To complement spatial habitat analysis with demographic estimates, population density was assessed using Line Transect Distance Sampling in the northern and southern sub-regions. The estimated local density was 6.47 individuals/km2 (95% CI: 4.11–10.16), with overlapping confidence intervals between sub-regions. The variation in detection probability and encounter rate contributed the most to overall uncertainty. Because the surveys were restricted to accessible mountainous terrain, estimates represent local ecological density rather than province-wide abundance. Together, these results provide a spatially explicit baseline linking relative habitat use patterns with locally derived density estimates to support future monitoring and conservation planning.

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