Register      Login
Australian Journal of Botany Australian Journal of Botany Society
Southern hemisphere botanical ecosystems
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > BT > BT24045
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 73(7)

Evaluation of biodiversity and conservation status of endemic and rare plant species of an endemism hotspot in Iran

Leila Malekpourzadeh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2374-9255 A * , Farrokh Ghahremaninejad https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5860-9976 B , Seyed Mansour Mirtadzadini C and Arman Shokooh Saljooghi https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4556-1014 D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Ecology, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran.

B Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.

C Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran.

D Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran.

* Correspondence to: malekpour.leila@yahoo.com

Handling Editor: Steve Sinclair

Australian Journal of Botany 73, BT24045 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT24045
Submitted: 23 July 2024  Accepted: 14 September 2025  Published: 2 October 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context

This study focuses on the Lalehzar and Hezar Mountains within the Yazd-Kerman Endemism Hotspot in Iran, part of the Irano-Turanian region, which includes five of the world’s 34 endemism hotspots.

Aims

The study aims to assess the conservation status and categorize endemic and rare plants in the area by using modified IUCN 2019 criteria.

Methods

Over 3 years (2017–2019), we conducted an extensive study of the floristic composition and plant diversity. We developed a localized ranking system (L-Rank) based on IUCN Criterion B (area of occupancy, AOO) for small-scale habitats (<2000 km2). By using 1 × 1 km grid cells and field surveys, we mapped species distributions. GIS analysis and statistical validation were employed to quantify AOO, including subcriteria such as the number of locations and extent of decline, and the L-Rank system classified species by their distribution range. The criteria were aligned with the corresponding IUCN 2019 categories.

Key results

In total, 306 plant species were identified, covering 195 genera and 49 families. Of these, 64 species were classified as threatened, including 15 Critically Endangered (CR), 16 Endangered (EN), and 33 Vulnerable (VU).

Conclusions

Findings highlighted the urgent conservation needs of species with restricted ranges (e.g. L1-ranked taxa) facing elevated extinction risks because of habitat fragmentation and climate change.

Implications

This approach connects global (IUCN) and local conservation frameworks, providing actionable insights for botanists, land managers, and policymakers to prioritize protection efforts in vulnerable ecosystems.

Keywords: botanical survey, conservation biology, ecological assessment, ecosystem health, endemism centres, floristic survey, habitat preservation, Irano-Turanian region, native vegetation, plant diversity, species diversity, threatened flora, threatened species.

References

Akhani H, Djamali M, Ghorbanalizadeh A, Ramezani E (2010) Plant biodiversity of Hyrcanian relict forests, N Iran: an overview of the flora, vegetation, palaeoecology and conservation. Pakistan Journal of Botany 42(1), 231-258.
| Google Scholar |

Assadi M (Ed.) (1989–2018) ‘Flora of Iran.’ Vol. 1–149 (Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands: Tehran, Iran) [In Persian]

Bentley R (Ed.) (2010) ‘Medicinal plants.’ pp. 23–46. (Domville-Fife Press: London, UK)

Chen S, Yu H, Luo HM, Wu Q, Li CF, Steinmetz A (2016) Conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants: problems, progress, and prospects. Chinese Medicine 11, 37.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Chiarucci A, Maccherini S, De Dominicis V (2001) Evaluation and monitoring of the flora in a nature reserve by estimation methods. Biological Conservation 101, 305-314.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Coley PD, Heller MV, Aizprua R, Arauz B, Flores N, Correa M, Gupta M, Solis PN, Ortega-Barria E, Romero LI, Gomez B, Ramos M, Cubilla-Rios L, Capson TL, Kursar TA (2003) Using ecological criteria to design plant collection strategies for drug discovery. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 1, 421-428.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Crain BJ, White JW (2011) Categorizing locally rare plant taxa for conservation status. Biodiversity and Conservation 20, 451-463.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Davis PH (1965–1988) ‘Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands.’ Vol. 1–9. (Edinburgh University Press: Edinburgh, UK)

Figueriedo MSL, Grelle CEV (2009) Predicting global abundance of a threatened species from its occurrence: implications for conservation planning. Diversity and Distributions 15, 117-121.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Geographic Organization of Armed Forces (2010) Topographic Map 1:250000, Sirjan Sheet, No. NH-40-10. Geographic Organization of Armed Forces Press, Tehran, Iran.

Hamilton AC (2004) Medicinal plants, conservation and livelihoods. Biodiversity and Conservation 13, 1477-1517.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Havens K, Vitt P, Maunder M, Guerrant EO, Dixon K (2006) Ex situ plant conservation and beyond. BioScience 56(6), 525-531.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Huang H (2011) Plant diversity and conservation in China: planning a strategic bioresource for a sustainable future. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 166, 282-300.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Iran Meteorological Organization (2000–2016) Statistical data of Baft synoptic station. Available at http://www.weather.ir [accessed 10 October 2017]

Irannejadparizi M, Saneii Shariat Panahi M, Zeybari M, Marvi Mohajer M (2001) A floristic and phytogeographical investigation of Khabr National Park and Rouchun Wildlife Refuge, Iran. Iranian Journal of Natural Resources 54(2), 111-127 [In Persian].
| Google Scholar |

IUCN (2019) Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Version 14. Prepared by the Standards and Petitions Subcommittee. Available at http://www.iucnredlist.org/documents/RedListGuidelines.pdf [accessed 20 June 2020]

Jalili A, Jamzad Z (1999) ‘Red Data Book of Iran.’ (Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands: Tehran, Iran). Available at https://sid.ir/paper/542960/en

Karimian A, Aslaninejad T, Negahban V (2019) Study and comparison of ethnobotany of some medicinal plants in different regions of the country (Iran). In ‘4th International Conference on New Horizons in Agricultural Sciences, Natural Resources and Environment’. (CIVILICA publications) [In Persian]

Larsen HO, Olsen CS (2007) Unsustainable collection and unfair trade? Uncovering and assessing assumptions regarding Central Himalayan medicinal plant conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation 16, 1679-1697.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Liu C, Yu H, Chen SL (2011) Framework for sustainable use of medicinal plants in China. Zhi Wu Fen Lei Yu Zi Yuan Xue Bao 33, 65-68.
| Google Scholar |

Majnounian H (1998) ‘Plant Geography of Iran (Application of Plant Geography in Conservation).’ pp. 65–110. (Green Circle Publications)

Malekpourzadeh L, Saljooghi AS (2024) Comparative assessment of antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of five species of Astragalus (Fabaceae) collected from southeast of Iran, Kerman. Journal of Microbiota 1(2), e151703.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Malekpourzadeh L, Mirtadzadini SM, Nazeri V (2015) Floristic study of Raas Kooh region of Baft township, Kerman province, Iran. Taxonomy and Biosystematics 23, 85-94.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Malekpourzadeh L, Ghahremaninejad F, Mirtajadini SM (2024a) Floristic study and conservation status of Takhte-Sartashtak tourist area in Kerman, Iran. Taxonomy and Biosystematics 15(57), 91-106.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Malekpourzadeh L, Ghahremaninejad F, Mirtajadini SM (2024b) Collection and identification of some selected medicinal plants with antimicrobial properties from Takhte-Sartashtak region, Kerman, Iran. Journal of Medicinal Plants and By-Products 13(1), 137-146.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Mehrabani M, Mahdavi Meymand Z, Mirtadzadini M (2013) Collecting and identifying a selection of wild plants of Baft township (Iran, Kerman province) and study of their traditional uses. Journal of Islamic and Iranian Traditional Medicine 4(3), 275-285 Available at http://jiitm.ir/article-1-292-en.html [In Persian].
| Google Scholar |

Mirtadzadini SM (1999) Floristic study of ‘Googher’ area, Baft city, Kerman province, Iran. In ‘Conference on Paleontology and Biodiversity’. (Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman). (CIVILICA publications) [In Persian]

Mittermieier RA, Robles GP, Hoffmann M, Pilgrim J (2004) ‘Hotspots revisited: earth’s biologically richest and most endangered terrestrial ecoregions.’ (Conservation International: Washington, DC, USA)

Mohamadinia SA, Khosravipour B, Hemmati B (2014) The importance of tourism development in rural areas. In ‘First National Conference on Green Tourism’. pp. 1–6. (CIVILICA publications) [In Persian]

Moradi G, Mohajer MRM, Amiri GZ, Shirvany A, Zargham N (2010) Life form and geographical distribution of plants in Posthband region, Khonj, Fars province. Iranian Journal of Forest Research 21(2), 201-206.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Noroozi J, Talebi A, Doostmohammadi M, Rumpf SB, Linder HP, Schneeweiss GM (2018) Hotspots within a global biodiversity hotspot – areas of endemism are associated with high mountain ranges. Scientific Reports 9, 10345.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Noroozi J, Naqinezhad A, Talebi A, Doostmohammadi M, Plutzar Ch, Rumpf SB, Asgarpour Z, Schneeweiss GM (2019a) Hotspots of vascular plant endemism in a global biodiversity hotspot in Southwest Asia suffer from significant conservation gaps. Biological Conservation 237, 299-307.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Noroozi J, Talebi A, Doostmohammadi M, Manafzadeh S, Asgarpour Z, Schneeweiss GM (2019b) Endemic diversity and distribution of the Iranian vascular flora across phytogeographical regions, biodiversity hotspots and areas of endemism. Scientific Reports 9, 12991.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Noroozi J, Zare G, Sherafati M, Mahmoodi M, Moser D, Asgarpour Z, Schneeweiss GM (2019c) Patterns of endemism in Turkey, the meeting point of three global biodiversity hotspots, based on three diverse families of vascular plants. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 7, 159.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Pimm S, Russell G, Gittleman J, Brooks T (1995) The future of biodiversity. Science 269, 347-350.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Primack RB, Miller-Rushing AJ (2009) The role of botanical gardens in climate change research. New Phytologist 182, 303-313.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Rafieian-Kopaei M (2012) Medicinal plants and the human needs. Journal of HerbMed Pharmacology 1, 1-2.
| Google Scholar |

Raina R, Chand R, Sharma YP (2011) Conservation strategies of some important medicinal plants. International Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 1, 342-347.
| Google Scholar |

Rao SR, Ravishankar GA (2002) Plant cell cultures: chemical factories of secondary metabolites. Biotechnology Advances 20, 101-153.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Raunkiaer C (1934) ‘The life forms of plants and statistical plant geography.’ (Clarendon Press: Oxford)

Rechinger KH (Ed.) (1963–2015) ‘Flora Iranica. vol. 1–174. (Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt: Graz); vol. 175. (Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft: Salzburg); vol. 176–181.’ (Naturhistorisches Museum: Vienna, Austria)

Ripple WJ, Wolf C, Newsome TM, Galetti M, Alamgir M, Crist E, Mahmoud MI, Laurance WF, 15,364 scientist signatories from 184 countries (2017) World scientists’ warning to humanity: a second notice. BioScience 67(12), 1026-1028.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Rodriguez JP, Brotons L, Bustamante J, Seoane J (2007) The application of predictive modelling of species distribution to biodiversity conservation. Diversity and Distributions 13, 243-251.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Ross IA (Ed.) (2005) ‘Medicinal Plants of the World (Volume 3): Chemical Constituents, Traditional and Modern Medicinal Uses.’ pp. 110–132. (Humana Press: Totowa, NJ, USA) doi:10.1007/978-1-59259-887-8

Saberamoli S, Naseri A, Rahmani Gh, Kalirad A (2004) Medicinal plants of Kerman province. Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research 20(4), 487-532 [In Persian].
| Google Scholar |

Saberi A, Hasanabadi Z, Mirtadzadini SM, Nazeri V (2013) A study of the flora of Riseh and Paqal’e area Shahrebabak of Kerman, Iran. Taxonomy and Biosystematics 14, 67-78.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Schippman U, Leaman DJ, Cunningham AB, Walter S (2005) Impact of cultivation and collection on the conservation of medicinal plants: global trends and issues. Acta Horticulturae 676, 31-44.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Schoen DJ, Brown AHD (2001) The Conservation of Wild Plant Species in Seed Banks: attention to both taxonomic coverage and population biology will improve the role of seed banks as conservation tools. BioScience 51, 960-966.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Strandby U, Olsen CS (2008) The importance of understanding trade when designing effective conservation policy: the case of the vulnerable Abies guatemalensis Rehder. Biological Conservation 141, 2959-2968.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Swarts ND, Dixon KW (2009) Terrestrial orchid conservation in the age of extinction. Annals of Botany 104, 543-556.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

The Plant List (2020) Available at http://www.theplantlist.org [accessed 8 August 2020]

Townsend CC (1966–1985) ‘Flora of Iraq.’ Vol. 1–9 (Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform: Baghdad, Iraq)

Vischi N, Natale E, Villamil C (2004) Six endemic plant species from central Argentina: an evaluation of their conservation status. Biodiversity and Conservation 13, 997-1008.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Wikipedia (2019) Kerman Province. Available at http://www.fa.wikipedia.org [accessed 15 August 2019]

Wong KL, Wong RNS, Zhang L, Liu WK, Ng TB, Shaw PC, Kwok PCL, Lai YM, Zhang ZJ, Zhang YB, Tong Y, Cheung H, Lu J, Sze SCW (2014) Bioactive proteins and peptides isolated from Chinese medicines with pharmaceutical potential. Chinese Medicine 9, 19.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Yousefi M (2009) ‘Flora of Iran.’ p. 93. (Payame Noor University Press: Tehran, Iran) [In Persian]

Yu H, Xie CX, Song JY, Zhou YQ, Chen SL (2010) TCMGIS-II based prediction of medicinal plant distribution for conservation planning: a case study of Rheum tanguticum. Chinese Medicine 5, 31.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Zaman W, Ayaz A, Park S (2025) Climate change and medicinal plant biodiversity: conservation strategies for sustainable use and genetic resource preservation. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 72, 6275-6308.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Zargari A (1989–1991) ‘Medicinal Plants.’ Vol. 1–5 (Tehran University Press: Tehran, Iran) [In Persian]

Zohary M (1973) ‘Geobotanical Foundations of the Middle East (Geobotanica Selecta 3).’ Vol. 1–2 (Gustav Fischer Verlag: Stuttgart, Germany) [In Persian]