The conservation status of Cousinia kermanshahensis; an endemic species

Jalilian, Nastaran; Nemati, Mostafa; Rahimi, Habibollah; Jamzad, Ziba; Jalili, Adel

doi:10.22092/irn.2024.363012.1532

The conservation status of Cousinia kermanshahensis; an endemic species

Document Type : Rare and Endangered Plant Species of Iran

Authors

¹ Associate Prof., Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Kermanshah Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, (AREEO), Kermanshah, Iran.

² Assistant Prof., Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Kermanshah Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, (AREEO), Kermanshah, Iran

³ M.Sc. Forestry/ResearchDivision of Natural Resources/Kermanshah Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center/Iran

⁴ Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

10.22092/irn.2024.363012.1532

Abstract

Cousinia kermanshahensis Attar, Ghahr, & Assadi is a biennial herbaceous species belonging to the Asteraceae family. This species is endemic to Kermanshah province, west of Iran. Based on IUCN guidelines, three criteria were used to evaluate the status of this species: Extent of Occurrence (EOO), Area of Occupancy (AOO), and size of populations. Based on field studies and plot sampling, C. kermanshahensis occupies 0.03 km2. The extent of occurrence was estimated to be 1.929 km2 using GeoCAT software. According to our results, C. kermanshahensis is a critically endangered (CR) species. Although the spiny leaves and capitules protect the plant from grazing, the limited populations around the village can pose a serious threat to it. By preserving its seeds in the Natural Resources Seed Bank and cultivating them in Iran's National Botanical Garden, ex-situ conservation is recommended. Furthermore, Natural Resources and the Watershed Management Organization should protect this endemic species' habitats.

Keywords

References

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