The conservation status of Mandragora autumnalis in Iran

Document Type : Rare and Endangered Plant Species of Iran

Authors

1 Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization(AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran

2 Prof., Research Institute of forest and rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, (AREEO), Tehran, Iran.

3 Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran.

10.22092/irn.2023.361511.1503

Abstract

Mandragora is a genus of the Solanaceae family, which includes six species worldwide. M. autumnalis Bertol is the only native species of the genus growing in Iran, reported for the first time in 2013 from Khuzestan province in Shimbar Protected Area? Field observations showed that this species is present in the Shimbar Protected area only in 4 locations, its Area of Occupancy (AOO) is about 0.6 square kilometers in total, and its Extent of Occurrence (EOO) is around 1.5 square kilometers. An average number of 5 to 25 individuals is observed in each population. Due to the presence of this plant in only one habitat in Iran and the Area of Occupancy, less than 10 square kilometers, and the number of adults is less than 50 individuals. The species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) in Iran. Although the habitat of this species is in a protected area, it is heavily influenced by man-made destructive factors due to factors such as deforestation, fire, overgrazing, the presence of nomadic nomads, the villages on the edge of the wetland, and because many tourists to the area. Therefore, these valuable medicinal species face serious threats in Iran and need special attention from the related executive organizations. An urgent protection plan is needed for the conservation of the limited population of M. autumnalis.
 

Keywords

References

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Iran Nature
Volume 8, Issue 1 - Serial Number 38
March and April 2023
Pages 145-154

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