Conservation Status of Papio papio, Crocodylus niloticus, and Agama boulengeri in Mauritania

The present study proposes to achieve three main objectives in order to increase the current knowledge about biodiversity of Mauritania: 1) Identify possible new areas where the three target species (Papio papio, Crocodylus suchus, and Agama boulengeri) are likely to be present. Ecological niche-based models will be based on both published presence data (species observations) with data collected during fieldwork. Models will be developed by contrasting presence data with high resolution environmental factor variability (including topographic, climatic and land-cover variables) using Maxent modelling software; 2) Characterise selected habitats of target species. Habitat descriptors will be collected during the field which will contribute for the accurate characterisation of selected habitats; and 3) Determine the conservation status of A. boulengeri. The information gathered and results obtained in the first two aims will be used to evaluate the conservation status for A. boulengeri, using the Ramas software. 

This study will provide information about the distribution of target species in the mountains of Mauritania and therefore, increase the current knowledge about distribution of Mauritanian biodiversity. The results of the study will contribute to the future establishment of protected areas in the mountains of Mauritania.