Publications

2007 Marco Polo Argali Research in the Big Pamir Mountains of Afghanistan - Year-end Summary
Author(s): Winnie, J. and R. Harris
Description/Abstract: Once known to be a relatively common inhabitant of the Afghan Pamirs, the current status of one of the most important indicator species of the high-altitude areas - the Marco Polo sheep - is now largely unknown. What is known is that thirty years of conflict, unrestricted hunting and extensive livestock grazing is likely to have caused a decline in their numbers. However, without baseline data on seasonal habitat use, species distribution, population status and movement patterns, Marco Polo conservation strategies can neither be developed nor implemented. The WCS Survey Team therefore headed north in 2007 to gather supporting data on Marco Polo sheep ecology and behavior, as well as train local researchers to carry on this valuable work. This report summarizes their work through the year.

A Survey of the Breeding Birds of the Wakhan Corridor
Author(s): Timmins, R.J
Description/Abstract: Surveying wildlife in Afghanistan is like working from an almost-blank slate. Having a lack of baseline data to work from is exciting but also challenging and much of WCS' field work is focused on building up knowledge of local fauna and flora, from scratch. For this field report, WCS ornithological teams headed to Badakhshan Province in the spring/summer season of 2009 to survey birdlife status and conservation in the high-altitude Wakhan Corridor, particularly within riparian and wetland habitats. This report also discusses the conservation significance of the Wakhan Corridor and proposes recommendations for its future protection.

Activity Report of the Ecosystem Health Team in Wakhan, Afghanistan - September to November 2010
Author(s): Noori, H., A. M. Rajabi and S. Ostrowski
Description/Abstract: During the winter period of 2010, the WCS Ecosystem Health Team performed a mass Foot-and-Mouth disease vaccination program of yak and cattle in the Big and Small Pamirs, and along the Wakhan Valley in Badakhshan. Alongside this work, the team also collected blood samples from sheep, goats, yak and cattle in order to analyze exposure to brucellosis, and began the area's first ever bovine TB detection campaign. A livestock census survey was also conducted and this field report documents their results and findings.

Activity Report of the WCS Ecosystem Health Team in the Wakhan District, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan - July 2010
Author(s): Noori, H. and A.M. Rajabi (supervised by S. Ostrowski)
Description/Abstract: An activity report documenting the progress of WCS in developing the capacity and skills of Wakhi villagers and rangers through various training activities. The particular focus of the report is on ranger training exercises provided by the Ecosystem Health Project Team during summer 2010. This training aimed at providing an overview of wildife diseases and highlighting the importance of community/ranger patrol work in surveilling wildlife and livestock health within the higher-altitude rangelands.

An Annoted List of Bird Species Observed by the Ecosystem Health Team in Wakhan in November - December 2006
Author(s): Ostrowski, S.
Description/Abstract: Combined with previous expeditions to the high-altitude peaks of the Pamir mountains, the Ecosystem Health Team set out in the winter of 2006 to clarify the status of a number of resident, breeding, wintering and migratory birds that occur in this unique landscape, including the Lammergeier and Ibisbill. Eight new species to the region were also recorded during this trip. This is the first document since seminal survey work was conducted here in the 1970s and helps to improve our knowledge of the avifauna in the Afghan Pamirs.

Appendix to Permanent Monitoring Sites- Methdology and Examples of Photo Plots and Data
Author(s): Bedunah, D.J.
Description/Abstract: In order to determine changes in overall condition of a site over time, whether that includes improvements or further degradation, time-sensitive measurements of parameters such as vegetation levels must be made on a consistent basis. Without such data, it becomes almost impossible to predict the conservation potential of a site, particularly within the context of planning for a future protected area network. This was exactly the challenge facing the WCS Rangeland Team; thus their first job within the Wakhan Corridor was to establish permanent monitoring sites in 2006, 2007 and 2008. This appendix accompanies the report entitled - Permanent Monitoring Sites: Methodology and Examples of Photo Plots and Data.

Argali Abundance in the Afghan Pamir Using Capture-Recapture Modeling From Fecal DNA
Author(s): Harris, R.B., J. Winnie, S.J. Amish, A. Beja-Pereira, R. Godinho, V. Costa and G. Luikart
Description/Abstract: Abstract: Estimating population size in a mark-recapture framework using DNA obtained from remotely collected genetic samples (e.g., feces) has become common in recent years but rarely has been used for ungulates. Using DNA extracted from fecal pellets, we estimated the size of an argali (Ovis ammon) population that was believed to be isolated from others within the Big Pamir Mountains, Afghanistan, an area where access was difficult and expensive. The full paper is available for purchase from the Journal of Wildlife Management and the abstract is available at this link.

Biodiversity Reconnaissance Survey in Darwaz Region, Badakhshan, Afghanistan, April 2012
Author(s): Moheb, Z. & Mostafawi, S. N.
Description/Abstract: The most notable findings of the survey were the confirmation of the presence of Markhor and Brown Bear in the Area, as well as what appears to be the first ever live photographs of a lizard species, Laudakia badakhshana, and the first record of this species since its initial taxonomic description in 1969 (S. Anderson per comm., 2012). There was also a report that a Caspian Tiger had allegedly been shot in Darwaz about 15 years ago. In the course of 29 days of survey we visited three districts of Darwaz where we saw markhor, red fox, unidentified voles and bats, 107 species of birds, agama lizards and Laudakia badakshana . We recorded indirect field evidence of brown bear, leopard (or possibly snow leopard), ibex, porcupine, marmot, wild boar and snakes. During the interview the informants reported the occurrence of nearly 20 mammalian species in the study area

Biodiversity Reconnaissance Survey- July-August 2011- Shar-e-Buzurg District, Badakshan Province
Author(s): Moheb, Z. & Mostafawi, N.
Description/Abstract: Shar-e-Buzurg is one of 28 districts in Badakhshan Province. The capital of this district is a town bearing the same name, Shahr-e Buzurg. It is a remote part of Afghanistan with a very poor road network. Shahr-e Buzurg is divided into five zones and has a population of approximately 42,000 people spread across 74 villages. Villages are far away from each other and people lack public transportation. Wildlife were said to be abundant in Shahr-e Buzurg during the 1970s, and according to a gap analysis carried out by WCS in collaboration with the National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA) from the Afghan government in 2009, as part of the Program of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA), it is an area of interest for biodiversity conservation. In addition, Habibi (2003) indicates that Shahr-e Buzurg is part of the historical range for the markhor (Capra falconeri) in Afghanistan. Therefore surveying this area has been viewed as a priority.

Brown bear status and threats in Darwaz, Northern Badakhshan, Afghanistan.
Author(s): Moheb, Z. Lawson, D. and Mostafawi, S.N.
Year: 2012
Description/Abstract: In Afghanistan, brown bears are distributed in the northeastern parts including the Darwaz region, Badakhshan. However, the actual status and distribution of the species are not known in Afghanistan. We documented brown bears in Darwaz, where there have been no previous records confirming the presence of the species. Brown bear occurrence was confirmed through public reports during personal interviews, field evidence, and documentation of alleged bear depredation cases. Seventy-two percent of the informants stated that brown bears occur in Darwaz, and depredation complaints were recorded from 17 villages across the area. The highest numbers of complaints were from Nusai District. Cattle, especially bulls, were the major victims of alleged brown bear depredation in the region.
Journal/Source: Ursus
Publisher: International Association for Bear Research and Management

Capacity Building for Biodiversity Conservation in Afghanistan
Author(s): Stevens, K. and M.A. Rahimy
Description/Abstract: In Afghanistan, there is a distinct lack of institutional and scientific technical capacity which threatens to affect the ability of the country to manage its own natural resources in the future. To tackle this in the long-term, WCS has been very active over the past four years in training personnel from government, rural communities, educational institutions and NGOs, both through formal training sessions and public outreach campaigns. The overall focus is on increasing the knowledge and skill levels of those responsible for natural resource management in areas including wildlife health, wildlife surveys techniques, rural and central governance, ecotourism and rangeland conservation. This training report describes all of the training activities to-date and the impact they have had on wildlife conservation in Afghanistan.

Conservation and conflict - the importance of continuing conservation work during political upheaval and armed conflict
Author(s): Zahler, P
Description/Abstract: This chapter from the first State of the Wild publication, explores the environmental issues arising from armed conflict across the world and the role that conservation can play in a country's post-conflict recovery.

Conservation and governance - Lessons from the reconstruction effort in Afghanistan
Author(s): Zahler, P
Description/Abstract: This chapter, written by the Deputy Director of the WCS Asia Program, is available from the recent State of the Wild book and provides an in-depth focus on conservation projects in Afghanistan during the post-conflict years. In particular, it discusses community management, the creation of protected areas and the development of important environmental legislation in Afghanistan.

Conservation, wildlife and security - Afghanistan Case Study
Author(s): Dehgan, A., P. Zahler, J. Wingard, and L. Yook
Description/Abstract: In this chapter from WCS Working Paper 32 on protected areas and human livelihoods, WCS staff write about the challenges facing wildlife conservation in Afghanistan, the unique culture and natural landscapes across the country, the mutltitude of threats facing its wildlife, and the conservation activities being implemented to mitigate these threats. The paper is downloadable at this link.

Description of Wakhan Corridor Vegetation Land Classes Delineated in the Supervised Land Classification.
Author(s): Bedunah, D.J and WCS Rangeland Assessment Team
Description/Abstract: The Wakhan Corridor in far north-eastern Afghanistan is one of the harshest environments on earth. It is subject to extremely cold and dry weather so the small area that is actually covered by vegetation is dominated by very hardy, desert-type species. Rangelands cover most of the landscape and plant communities appear to be changing constantly in line with the changing environment. This add-on report to "Land Classification of the Wakhan Study Area" describes the different classes of vegetation that were used in the WCS rangeland classification study of the Wakhan Corridor. Additional information is also provided on community types and abiotic features of the land such as elevation, slope and rock coverage.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the Wakhan District, Afghanistan - Preliminary Investigations for a Pilot Vaccination Project
Author(s): Ostrowski, S., H. Noori and A.M. Rajabi
Description/Abstract: WCS have been studying the Wakhi livestock herds since 2006, focusing particularly on their health status since disease transmission from livestock to wildlife can be devastating for wild ungulate populations. Foot-and-Mouth epizootics are regular in Afghanistan, with 3 serotypes known for the country. However, very little is known about Foot-and-Mouth disease epidemiology in the remote areas of the Wakhan. With this in mind, the Ecosystem Health Team went on a mission in 2009 to question Wakhi herders, repeat a serological survey of livestock carried out in previous years and test serological responses of cattle to an available vaccine, all as a precursor to a mass vaccination campaign. This report discusses their findings and helps act as a potential model for other livestock communities across high-altitude Central Asia.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccination Campaign in the Wakhan District, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan - April 2010
Author(s): Rajabi, A.M., H. Noori and S. Ostrowski
Description/Abstract: With Foot-and-Mouth being an endemic disease in Afghanistan, affecting a great number of livestock and having a direct effect on food security, the WCS Ecosystem Health Team set out to increase the protective immunity of a cattle and yak population within the upper Wakhan Valley, north-eastern Afghanistan. A mass FMD vaccination campaign was initiated in April 2010 targeting almost 3,000 animals, with the results documented within this Ecosystem Health team's report.

Genetic structure and population size of Marco Polo sheep (argali) in the Pamir region of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, and Tajikistan
Author(s): Luikart, G. & R. Harris
Description/Abstract: The Marco Polo Sheep is a flagship species for high-altitude Afghanistan. It's choice of habitat however makes studying the sheep's movements and whole ecology very challenging To tackle this gap in our knowledge, teams at WCS Afghanistan set out to investigate the genetic and population characteristics of one group of Marco Polo sheep using very effective non-invasive sampling. This report summarises the team's work and findings to-date.

High Connectivity among Argali Sheep from Afghanistan and Adjacent Countries- A Noninvasive Assessment Using Neutral and Candidate Gene Microsatellites
Author(s): Luikart G., S. Amish, J. Winnie, A. Beja-Pereira, R. Godinho, F.W. Allendorf, R. Harris
Description/Abstract: Abstract: We quantified population connectivity and genetic variation in the Marco Polo subspecies of argali mountain sheep (Ovis ammon polii) by genotyping 9 neutral and 8 candidate gene microsatellite loci in 172 individuals noninvasively sampled across five study areas in Afghanistan, China, and Tajikistan. Heterozygosity and allelic richness were generally high (mean H = 0.67, mean A = 6.1), but were significantly lower in the China study area (H = 0.61, P < 0.001; A = 4.9, P < 0.01). One marker in an immune system gene (TCRG4) showed an excess of rare alleles compared to neutral expectations. Another immune system gene (GLYCAM-1) showed excessive differentiation (high F ST) between study areas. Estimates of genetic differentiation were similar (F ST = 0.035 vs. 0.033) with and without the two loci deviating from neutrality, suggesting that selection is not a primary driver of overall molecular variation, and that candidate gene loci can be used for connectivity monitoring, as long as selection tests are conducted to avoid biased gene flow estimates. Adequate protection of argali and maintenance of inter-population connectivity will require monitoring and international cooperation because argali exhibit high gene flow across international borders. The full paper is available for purchase from the Springer Link website and the abstract is available at this link.

New Information on the Large-Billed Reed Warbler Acrocephalus orinus, including its song and breeding habitat in north-eastern Afghanistan
Author(s): Timmins, R. J., S. Ostrowski, N. Mostafawi, H. Noori, A. M. Rajabi, L. Svensson, U. Olsson and C. M. Poole
Description/Abstract: This article, accessible through subscription to Forktail, details the first well-documented, probable breeding location of the Large-billed reed warbler in north-eastern Afghanistan. It provides a description of the species song, habitat, and conservation issues, along with a summary of identification criteria using new information from live birds.