Abstract: The Improved Generalized Diversity Index (IGDI)
has been proposed as a tool that can be used to identify areas that
have high conservation value and measure the ecological condition of
an area. IGDI is based on the species relative abundances. This paper
is concerned with particular attention is given to comparisons
involving the MacArthur model of species abundances. The
properties and performance of various species indices were assessed.
Both IGDI and species richness increased with sampling area
according to a power function. IGDI were also found to be acceptable
ecological indicators of conditions and consistently outperformed
coefficient of conservatism indices.
Abstract: Asiatic Houbara ( Chlamydotis macqueenii ) is a
flagship and vulnerable species. In-situ conservation of this
threatened species demands for knowledge of its habitat selection.
The aim of this study was to determine habitat variables influencing
birds wintering and breeding selection in semi- arid central Iran.
Habitat features of the detected nest and pellet sites were compared
with paired and random plots by quantifying a number of habitat
variables. In wintering habitat use at micro scale houbara selected
sites where vegetation cover was significantly lower compard to
control sites( p< 0.001). Areas with low number of larger plant
species (p=0.03) that were not too close to a vegetation
patch(p