Somamus, the roof of Gilan province with unique plant diversity

Document Type : Over looking Iranian Nature

Authors

1 Researcher, Guilan Agricultural and natural Resources Research and education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rasht, Iran

2 Researcher of Medical Biotechnology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

3 Associate Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

10.22092/irn.2025.368588.1632

Abstract

Somamus Mountain is one of the western ranges of the Central Alborz Mountains, situated along the border between Gilan and Mazandaran provinces. Somamus Peak, rising to 3,703 meters above sea level, is the highest point in Gilan and is often referred to as the "roof of Gilan Province." Throughout a three-year study exploring the flora of Somamus Mountain across elevations ranging from 2,500 to 3,700 meters, a total of 333 vascular plant species were collected and identified. These species belong to 196 genera within 52 plant families. The most prominent genera include Astragalus (16 species), Stachys (7 species), Allium, Hypericum, and Veronica (6 species each), and Potentilla (5 species). Approximately 20% of the flora—68 species—are endemic to Iran. The main threats to the vegetation and biodiversity of Mount Somamus are overgrazing and the increasing influx of tourists, particularly cyclists and off-road vehicles. Although the lower elevations of the region (500–2,500 meters a.s.l.) within Gilan Province are under environmental protection, it is recommended that a comprehensive conservation plan be implemented for the entire Somamus Mountain ecosystem. Such a plan should encompass forests, rangelands, and semi-alpine and alpine zones to conserve the region’s rich diversity of endemic and rare plant species.

Keywords

References

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Iran Nature
Volume 10, Issue 2 - Serial Number 51
July and August 2025
Pages 77-88

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