Conservation status of Nepeta asterotricha Rech.f., an endemic species of Iran

Document Type : Rare and Endangered Plant Species of Iran

Authors

1 Senior Research Expert, Yazd Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Yazd, Iran.

2 Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, AREEO, Tehran, Iran

10.22092/irn.2024.363504.1549

Abstract

Nepeta asterotricha Rech. f. is a perennial species belonging to the Lamiaceae family. This species is a local endemic of Yazd province. It is distributed in the S and SW of the province in humid valleys in the N and E of mountainous areas with a slope of 15 to 20%. Based on IUCN guidelines, three criteria were used to evaluate the status of this species: the extent of occurrence (EOO), area of occupancy (AOO), and size of populations. According to field survey and plot sampling, N. asterotricha occupies an area of 0.06 Km2, and the extent of occurrence was 250.2 Km2. Thus, according to the results of this study, N. asterotricha is recognized as "Critically Endangered." Field observations showed that lack of management and inappropriate exploitation, such as non-observance of the grazing season and habitat degradation, are the main threats to this rare species. Given the importance of conserving endemic and critically endangered species, it seems necessary to define their natural habitat as protected habitats by the Natural Resources and Watershed Organization, as well as storing seeds in the Natural Resources Gene Bank and research on species recovery in its original habitat or its cultivation in National Botanical Garden of Iran.

Keywords

References

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Iran Nature
Volume 9, Issue 1 - Serial Number 44
March and April 2024
Pages 107-113

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