Conservation status of the alpine species, Astragalus azizii Maassoumi

Document Type : Rare and Endangered Plant Species of Iran

Authors

1 Watershed Management and Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Guilan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rasht, P. O. BOX 41635–3394 I

2 Professor, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

3 1Assistant Professor, Forests, Rangelands and watershed Research Department, Gilan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, )AREEO(, Rasht, Iran

4 Assistant Professor, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Department, Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

The conservation status of Astragalus azizii, restricted to the Sabalan upper alpine zone, was defined according to IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) guidelines. This species grows on gravely snow beds in the alpine zone.‌ Extent of Occurrence (EOO), Area of Occupancy (AOO), the number of mature individuals, and the habitat quality were examined. This plant is present in only one population, and the occupied area (AOO) is 0.250 square kilometers. The number of adult fertile plants was estimated at 500. Therefore, with the results of this study, A. azizii is assigned as a critically endangered (CR) species. The habitat of this plant is located in the National Heritage Site of Sabalan, at 3700 m a.s.l; however, climate change, grazing, mountaineering, pests, and plant diseases are the most threatening factors for this species. Therefore, government and nonprofit organizations need take more effective action to protect existing ecosystems.

Keywords

References

 
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Iran Nature
Volume 7, Issue 4 - Serial Number 35
September and October 2022
Pages 139-143

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