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
Senior Research Expert, Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Kermanshah Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, (AREEO), Kermanshah, Iran
3
Expert in traditional medicine, Kermanshah, Iran
4
Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran.
10.22092/irn.2026.370651.1678
Abstract
Fritillaria pavehensis Advay & Teksen is a perennial bulbous species belonging to the Liliaceae family. The habitat of this species is restricted to a limited area on Atashgah Mountain in Paveh city, Kermanshah province, western Iran. Based on IUCN guidelines, three criteria were used to evaluate the conservation status of this species: extent of occurrence (EOO), area of occupancy (AOO), and population size. Field surveys, plot-based assessments, and spatial analyses using GeoCAT software indicated that the AOO is only 0.050 km², while the EOO is approximately 0.659 km². Based on these estimates, the species is classified as critically endangered (CR). The major threats to this species include locust outbreaks, harvesting of leaves by local communities, herbivory by wild boars, wild goats and mouflon, trampling and breakage of plants due to the rocky and scree habitat, as well as grazing pressure from domestic livestock. Therefore, conservation of this species requires designating its distribution range as a protected site, coupled with ex-situ strategies such as tissue culture, vegetative propagation, seed banking, and cultivation in botanical gardens. Integrating in situ and ex situ approaches is essential to prevent extinction and ensure the long-term survival of this unique endemic. It is recommended that the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization and environmental protection organizations formally designate the distribution areas of this endemic species as protected habitats and conservation reserves.
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