adel jalili

Lathyrus alamutensis is a perennial plant belonging to the Fabaceae family. This plant is endemic to Iran and is found in a small region of the Alamut Heights, specifically in Haniz village and Siahlan, located in the northeast of Qazvin. It exists in limited numbers at altitudes ranging from 2200 to 2900 meters above sea level. The conservation status of this species was assessed as part of a project focused on determining the conservation status of plants and ecosystems in Iran. The evaluation was based on the guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and considered three criteria: extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, and population size. The results indicate that Lathyrus alamutensis is classified as a Critically Endangered (CR) species according to IUCN criteria. Climate change, recurrent droughts, human intervention, land-use change, and overgrazing are significant threats to this species. Both in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures are necessary to protect it. For in-situ conservation, overgrazing must be controlled by the Natural Resources and Watershed Organization of Iran, and the habitat should be designated as protected. Ex-situ conservation should involve the preservation of seeds in the Natural Resources Gene Bank of Iran and cultivation efforts in the National Botanical Garden of Iran.

The phenomenon of dust storms has become a global environmental challenge. As a natural disaster, it has significantly affected Khuzestan province due to its geographical location and proximity to vast desert areas. This study aims to examine land management strategies to mitigate dust production in the southeastern dust source of Ahvaz by implementing effective land management techniques to control wind erosion in this region.

To conduct this research, ecological land resources—including climate, geology, soil properties, land use, vegetation cover, wind erosion, and agricultural and livestock conditions were analyzed using satellite imagery and extensive field surveys. By overlaying maps, the dust source area was classified into ecologically homogeneous units (work units). Based on the physical and chemical properties of the soil, the vegetative potential for biological stabilization was determined according to the ecological requirements of native plant species. Soil samples were collected from 106 points at three depths, and soil erodibility was assessed using a wind tunnel. A wind erosion sensitivity map was then generated to prioritize the stabilization of work units. The characteristics of erosive winds were analyzed using hourly wind speed and direction data from 21 meteorological stations. After creating a database of ecological resources in a GIS environment, the vegetative potential of the work units was evaluated using soil properties. Subsequently, specific stabilization projects were proposed for each work unit.

The findings of this study indicate that the stabilization strategy was planned systematically, considering the ecosystem type, and dust control projects were designed based on land use classifications. The land use distribution of the dust source area includes 37% rangelands, 10% bare lands, 11% dried wetlands, 24% rainfed agriculture, and 13% irrigated agriculture. The proposed projects included biological measures such as shrub planting, afforestation, roadside tree planting, and living windbreaks along farm edges, as well as management strategies such as soil moistening, leaching, irrigation, grazing control, construction of non-living windbreaks, and rainwater harvesting techniques. Analysis of the energy trend of erosive winds over the past decade revealed no significant changes. Instead, the activation of dust sources was attributed to land use changes, precipitation patterns, and drought occurrences.

The lack of water allocation to downstream ecosystems, combined with the construction of large dams and multiple watershed management structures in upstream areas, has led to the transformation of wetlands and sedimentary plains into major dust sources and has contributed to surface soil salinization. Restoring flood capacity in these areas was achieved through the construction of water supply channels to meet the water demands of biological stabilization projects and facilitate the moistening of wind erosion-sensitive units. Overall, the implementation of these projects demonstrated that this ecosystem restoration-based approach, with a focus on wind erosion-prone lands, can serve as an effective model for stabilizing the country’s dust source areas.

Subsidence as a phenomenon of land degradation and desertification is caused by human driving forces and negative water balance. Desertification is a serious and dangerous threat to natural ecosystems. Therefore, it is very important to know about the processes of land destruction and desertification that have involved a large area of the country in recent years. According to the existing subsidence map for the Namak Lake watershed, the subsidence rate in the areas with information is very intense, so that in these areas the subsidence is more than 6 cm per year. Using the IMDPA desertification evaluation model based on two criteria of underground water and land subsidence to evaluate and monitor the important indicators of desertification is the general goal of this research.

For this purpose, information layers of qualitative parameters (electrical conductivity, sodium absorption ratio) and quantitative groundwater (drop in groundwater level) and subsidence rate were prepared. The used subsidence map is related to the water year 2014-2016, which is available in Golpayegan, Arak, Qom-Kahk, Kashan, Saveh, Kamijan, Nubran, Varamin, Tehran-Karaj, Hashtgerd, Qazvin, Auj, Kabudar Ahang, Kedar, and Rezen areas. . In the next step, each index was given a weight between 1 and 4 based on its impact on desertification. The weighting is linear and the ratio is equal, so that the value 1 is the best and the value 4 is the worst. In order to investigate the effect of subsidence rate on desertification, desertification intensity was calculated in two ways. In the first case, taking into account the subsidence criterion and the underground water criterion, and in the second case, without considering the subsidence criterion, it was evaluated only based on the groundwater criterion. The final state of desertification intensity according to the IMDPA model was obtained based on the geometric mean of the criteria.

The results of combining the quantitative and qualitative parameters of groundwater based on the IMDPA model showed that 60% of the basin surface has moderate desertification intensity and almost 36% has a poor condition. The assessment of the intensity of desertification based on the criterion of underground water in the Namak Lake watershed showed that the eastern part of the basin has a higher intensity of desertification compared to the western part of the basin due to the dominance of the electrical conductivity parameter and the drop in the level of the groundwater level. Finally, the results obtained from the integration of the map obtained from the IMDPA model groundwater criteria and subsidence using the geometric mean in the Namak Lake watershed showed that the northern part of the watershed, which includes most of Qazvin, Kabudarahang, Rezen-Qahavand, Kedar, Nubran, is the intensity of desertification is higher. While in the eastern part, i.e. Tehran-Karaj range and part of Varamin range, desertification is less intense according to the two criteria of underground water and subsidence. In general, the intensity of desertification in the case of subsidence and without subsidence, the highest level is in the middle class

The study of the desertification situation based on the two criteria of underground water and subsidence indicates the intensity of desertification in the whole basin in three categories: low, medium and severe, the highest level corresponding to the moderate intensity with an area of 65.57% and then the severe category with an area of 23.83%. It is a percentage. Among the study areas, desertification in Qazvin, Kobodar Ahang and Nobran has a higher intensity than other areas, which is due to the influence of the underground water standard. In general, the results of the assessment of desertification intensity in the Namak Lake watershed showed that the most important factor in creating the conditions of desertification and destruction of the land is the saltiness of the underground water and the drop in the level of the underground water. In line with the results of the present research and making more use of the existing findings, it is recommended to check all the parameters of the IMDPA model to evaluate the state of desertification, and even if possible, the parameters of the soil criterion should be checked along with the quantitative and qualitative indicators of the water criterion.

The purpose of this study is to determine the contribution of the maximum dust production capacity of 4 centers in the maximum dust production of Khuzestan province. According to the field information on soil texture and land use, the WRF-CHEM chemical model was used to simulate the occurrence of severe dust storms. To simulate the occurrence of a dust storm and estimate the maximum power of dust production at the peak of the activity of the dust system of four hypothetical centers in Khuzestan province, in addition to the dust concentration data of the environmental organization, in the verification of the event and the selection of the system from the data meteorological organization; Wind direction and speed and horizontal field of view were used. First, the simulation was done in real mode with full physics of the model, and in the next step, the amount of dust production and the role of each dust center in the centers were checked with the assumption of moistening of the surface layer of soil and ground. Among the 94 dust systems by defining the maximum event conditions, 39 main systems were selected. The results showed that each of the foci, on average and independently, caused an increase in dust and feeding systems that migrated to the region during the storms that occurred over two decades (2003-2018). The maximum contribution of each center was determined separately and simultaneously at the peak of the activity of the dusting systems. The results showed that at the peak of the activity of the dust collection systems, the maximum production capacity of source 1 (Horal Azim and North Khorramshahr) is 65.14% on average, source 2 (Mahshahr Center, Omidieh and Hindijan) is 59.91%, source 3 (East Ahvaz city) was 52.27% and source 4 (southeast of Ahvaz) was 55.74%. The total share of the average dust production in the four centers of the province is 62.94%, which if it is deducted from the amount of dust produced in the southern region of Khuzestan, which is 83.30% of the total dust in Khuzestan during the occurrence of different systems. , the remaining 20.36 percent, which is the share of unknown sources such as secondary sources that have the potential to produce dust or the dust created from them is the result of the discharge of major and larger sources. Knowledge of the contribution of each of the numerous dust centers in the Khuzestan Plain can help the decision-makers of operational plans to control internal fine dust centers.

The genus Astragalus of the Fabaceae family includes over 3000 species worldwide and is known as the largest genus of flowering plants. Iran is considered one of the significant centers for the diversity and speciation of this genus. Astragalus ovigerus is documented as an endemic species from Iran. This study explores this species' population characteristics, habitat conditions, and conservation status. According to the guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the conservation status of this species has been determined using three criteria, including Extent of occurrence (EOO), Area of occupancy (AOO), number of mature individuals, and population size and classified as Critically Endangered (CR). To prevent the extinction of this species, its only known habitat should be protected by the Natural Resources and Watershed Organization, and human activities should be limited in this habitat. Ex-situ conservation through the collection of seeds and their storage in the Gene Bank of Natural Resources of Iran can play an important role in the survival of this rare endemic species and conserving its genetic resources.

According to the effect of vegetation cover on physical and chemical characteristics of soil and the importance of that this ecosystem plays in the preservation and stability of plant stands. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of plantation on It was performed on soil constituent elements.

The study area was selected as part of Lavizan Forest Park. Ten soil samples from each 84 plots in the area (840 samples) was gathered to measure soil texture parameters (percentage of sand, silt and clay), percentage of organic matter, N, K, P, T.N.T, PH and EC in two layers (the first (layer O) and the second (30 cm after the first layer)). These factors were evaluated with Pearson correlation, two independent and paired sample t test.

Pearson Correlation between physical and chemical properties in the first and second layers of soil in the 5 vegetation dominant types of the region indicate many significant positive and negative correlation between these parameters. The results of independent T analysis between the first and second layers of Black locust type soil (150 samples) and pine (400 samples) indicate that except for the percentage of lime, sand and silt percentage, which did not show a significant difference, Other characteristics are significantly different between the two soil horizons.

PH and Sand percentage were shown significant differences in the first layer between pine and black locust. The amount of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen in the initial horizon of the leaf needle type is more than the broad leaf type and in the second horizon, except for potassium, this increase is also visible. The amount of organic matter, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, clay and pH between the two soil horizons show a significant difference and except for pH and clay, the others in the second horizon have decreased.  The results demonstrated the type of plant cover has an effective on physical and chemical elements of soils. Therefore, significant differences is obvious in the first layer to the second layer.

Botanical gardens are a collection of plants in a closed space used for education, research, preserving species outside the habitat, and introducing people to a nature-friendly environment. Zagros Botanical Garden has been built northwest of Khorramabad city with an area of 12 hectares. The collection of wild and native fruit is one of the collections in Zagros Botanical Garden, which is carried out on 1.3 hectares. Seedlings of species were obtained from the General Department of Natural Resources of Lorestan, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, and Ilam provinces. By going to different urban or rural areas, seeds or cuttings of local fruit species were collected, propagated, and planted. The planting plan was divided into two sections (wild and native) for project implementation. In each section, trees were planted in smaller rectangular and longitudinal pieces. Variable planting distances were considered based on each species' number, type, and specific ecological conditions. Six local fruit species, including 13 varieties and ten species of wild fruit, were successfully established and adapted to the conditions in Zagros Botanical Garden.

The genus CampanulaL. has 44 species in the flora of Iran, and 18 of them are present in West Azerbaijan province. Seven species are rare, growing in rocky mountainous areas north of the province. The conservation status of species was investigated based on the research method of the national research project and the instructions of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The resulting data were analyzed using GeoCAT software. All seven rare species (C. conferta A.DC., C. coriacea Davis, C. crispa Lam., C. hakkiarica Davis, C. minsteriana Grossh., C. phyctidocalyx Boiss. & Noe and C. propinqua Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) were evaluated. According to the extent of occurrence (EOO), the area occupancy of the species (AOO), the average number of adults in the population, and other indicators, they are placed in the critically endangered category (CR). All habitats, especially the pasture habitat of C. phyctidocalyx, are exposed to exploitation, and the rocky habitats are severely affected by drought and the above factors. The lack of vitality of the bushes and the failure to produce mature seeds indicate this issue. Collecting the seeds of these species and protecting them in the Natural Resources Gene Bank of Iran as ex-situ conservation, along with in-situ conservation by protecting the habitats of these rare species by the Natural Resources and Watershed Organizations, are the solutions for their conservation.

Cytogenetic investigations in plant species, particularly wild and native plants, are crucial for understanding their evolutionary history, establishing species relationships, and determining karyological features. This study delves into chromosome counting and evaluation of karyotypic characteristics of five woody species belonging to three families: Ulmaceae, Cornaceae, and Rhamnaceae within the Hyrcanian Forests. Root tip meristem was used for chromosomal studies by classical methods. The results revealed that all studied species were diploid. The chromosome numbers of three species, Cornus australis (2n=2x=22), Rhamnus sintenisii (2n=2x=26), and Zelkova carpinifolia (2n=2x=28) were documented for the first time in the world. Additionally, two species of Ulmus glabra and U. minor with a chromosomal number (2n=2x=28) were reported for the first time in Iran. Concerning chromosomal length, R. sintenisii displayed the smallest chromosome length (0.9 µm), while U. glabra exhibited the largest (2.34 µm). The chromosomes in three species, R. sintenisii, U. glabra, and Z. carpinifolia were of the metacentric and sub-metacentric types. U. minor presented sub-telocentric chromosomes in addition to the mentioned types, and C. australis displayed metacentric chromosomes in two forms, M and m. Regarding symmetry, chromosomes in three species, R. sintenisii, U. minor, and Z. carpinifolia were classified as 2A, C. australis as 1A, and U. minor as 3A. Given the scarcity of similar studies on forest species, this research significantly contributes to identifying the cytogenetic characteristics of the examined species.

Echinops shulabadensisMozaff. is endemic to the southeastern regions of Lorestan province. This species grows in the oak forest, in sunny areas with poor soil in some parts of Shulabad and Tayan. These areas are in the Irano-Turanian region's mountainous places and have an elevation range of 2019 to 2400 meters above sea level. In this research, the conservation status of this plant was investigated based on the guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Three criteria were used to evaluate the status of this species: extent of occurrence (EOO), area of occupancy (AOO), and population size. According to field studies, plots were established, and an analysis was performed using GeoCAT software. Echinops shulabadensis occupies an area of 3.24 km2. Its occurrence was 391.208 km2. Although its presence in the protected areas of Oshtrankouh(Tian–Azna) is important to some extent in the survival and preservation of the species, due to the rarity and small size of its populations, they should be specially monitored. In addition to in-situ conservation, ex-situ conservation should be provided by preserving its seeds in the Natural Resources Gene Bank of Iran and cultivating them in the Lurestan Botanical Garden and the National Botanic Garden of Iran.

Nepeta crispa Willd (local name: Moffarah) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family. This species is endemic to Iran. Its habitats are Alvand Mountain in the central part of Hamedan province and Garin Heights on the border between Hamedan and Lorestan provinces, at 2300 to 3400 meters above sea level. In this study, the conservation status of this endemic species was determined based on IUCN categories and criteria: extent of occurrence (EOO), area of occupancy (AOO), population size, and habitat quality. According to the results of this study, the species is classified as "Critically Endangered". In addition to climate change and temperature increase as a global factor in changing the habitats and living conditions of plant species, indiscriminate harvesting of this aromatic species, creation of tourist attractions in the area, overgrazing, and granite mining from the habitats of this species are other factors that threaten this species. Planting and propagation of N. crispa in Bu-Ali Sina Medicinal Plant Garden in Hamedan and promoting the culture of its cultivation by villagers instead of wild harvesting have been effective measures to protect the habitat of this species. Furthermore, protecting the seeds in the Natural Resources Seed Bank of Iran is the other effective ex-situ conservation procedure. The sowing of the seeds in its known habitats and the management and protection of these habitats are among the priority programs that must be recognized by the Natural Resources and Watershed Organization of Iran as an in-situ conservation procedure.

The location of the unique ecological area of ​​Hamoon in the Sistan plain has given it a special environmental importance, and according to the Ramsar Convention, the Hamoon area as an international wetland has special ecological values ​​for the world. However, neglecting the ecological water requirement has led to some natural ecosystems being seriously damaged and at the same time turning into dust sources. The need to determine the minimum water requirement of aquatic ecosystems and the regulation of environmental flows has received global attention and is one of the important challenges of water management and wetland ecosystems. Available free satellite data can reveal long-term surface water changes, improve modeling, and inform changes for water management decision-making. Using of the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform has solved the need for speed in processing and access to various data. The use of the world surface water layer product (JRC Global Surface Water Mapping Layers), by providing the Transition band and Seasonality band which is the result of changes in water areas from 1983 to 2021, can provide a suitable base level. In order to calculate the water requirement, it should provide based areas with less time and cost. In this study, the base level of Hamoons was extracted using the mentioned product in Google Earth Engine and interpreted in ArcGIS software. Finally, the water requirement of Hamoons was calculated using the hydrological method.

In the Sistan region, located in the east of Iran, there are three main Hamoons named Pozak, Sabori and Hirmand. In order to estimate the water required for wetland restoration, using the hydrological water balance method, the water losses in one year will be compensated through precipitation and discharge. In order to estimate the pattern of wetting of the wetland area, the global surface water layer product was used in the Google Earth Engine environment.Considering that this product is derived from the changes of water zones between 1984 and 2019, it can be zoning the wetland based on the hydrological trend. First, the changes of the aqueous zone were investigated using the Transition band. Then the classes in this band were interpreted using the Seasonality band. The final map was created by merging the classes that followed the same behavior. In order to reveal the trend of the water body area of the wetland in different seasons, a number of plots were extracted from each class and the trend of the NDWI index was monitored over five years (from the beginning of 2016 to the end of 2020). Then, using the monthly long-term average (fifty years) of precipitation, evaporation and transpiration of the area, which was converted into the seasonal average, the water losses and the amount of discharge required for the stability of the water body of the wetland were estimated.

The " Permanent to Seasonal " and " Lost Permanent " classes were wet in the past and currently receive less water. Therefore, they can be first priority. At the same time, the "Seasonal" class shows the most presence of water during the year. As a result, it can be second priority. The first priority area is 993.7 square kilometers, the second priority area is 871.7 square kilometers, and the third priority area is 1370.6 square kilometers. Therefore, by merging the above-mentioned classes, the base level map for the estimation of Hamoon's water requirement was obtained. After calculating the median of NDWI index for each pixel, the 5-year trend was monitored for each zone (class of each priority). The monitoring of NDWI changes in each of the zones shows that the surface with the first priority in the period of April to August (spring and summer) and the surface with the second priority in the period of February to June (winter and spring) is wet. The surface with the third priority is often dry and in some years it is rarely wet in April (spring season). As a result, the water requirement of Hamoons with an area of ​​3237 square kilometers is equivalent to 3804 million cubic meters per year.

According to the results of this research, the water requirement of Hamoon is 3804.3 million cubic meters per year with a base area of  ​3237 square kilometers.

Using the pattern of the number of months of water presence in the wetland, which is extracted from the seasonality band, the eleven classes of the transition band were interpreted. As a result, it can be second priority. The results show that the pattern of long-term behavior of water in the Hamoon area indicates the absence of a permanent water surface in these ecosystems. Examining the trend of changes shows that the areas are wet in three seasons: spring, summer and winter. The results of this research, using the GEE product and the change of the trend of NDWI index, could help reveal the hydrological system and lead to a more realistic estimate of the ecosystem's water requirement. Perhaps the best advantage of this method compared to the traditional types of using satellite images, in addition to spending less time, is a more comprehensive view of the unique changes of each water zone compared to other zones. In fact, using the time series of images helps to plan for each water area according to its nature and will prevent prejudice and repetition of a fixed pattern. Estimating water requirement along with its seasonal distribution, can help managers and policy makers to demand the required amount of water and increase productivity by managing water distribution.

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.

Eryngium pyramidale Boiss. & Hausskn (Apiaceae) is one of the rarest sub-endemic species in the flora of Iran. This rare species grows at an altitude of 1600-2000 meters a.s.l. Based on IUCN criteria and categorized and derived data from GeoCAT (EOO= 13.291 km2; AOO= 0.030 km2), this species is assigned as Critically Endangered (CR). Among the solutions to conserve this valuable sub-endemic species are the comprehensive protection of oak forests in the west of the country by all relevant organizations, preventing unauthorized constructions in the villages of Avroman, as well as ex-situ conservation by protecting its seeds in the Natural Resources Gene Bank of Iran and its cultivation in botanical gardens.

Scutellaria nepetifilia is a shrubby species belonging to the Lamiaceae family. This species is found in Hamadan, western Iran, but less in Lorestan and Isfahan. In this study, the conservation status of Scutellaria nepetifilia was assessed based on IUCN categories and criteria using three criteria: extent of occurrence (EOO), area of occupancy (AOO), and population size and habitat quality. This study classifies it as "Endangered". This species' habitats are threatened by various destructive factors such as overgrazing and granite mining. Therefore, the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization must declare its distribution area a protected habitat. Ex-situ conservation by conserving this species' seeds in the Iranian Natural Resources Gene Bank and cultivation in botanical gardens should be done. Public awareness and education on the importance of protecting nature and plants can play a vital role in conserving plants in their natural habitats.

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.

In the present study, chromosomal data are presented for six species representing five genera within the Brassicaceae family including Odontarrhena lanigera (DC.) Španiel, Al-Shehbaz, D.A. German & Marhold (=Alyssum lanigerum DC.) 2n=16, Aubrieta parviflora Boiss. 2n=16, Matthiola flavida Boiss. 2n=12, (=Matthiola ovatifolia Bél.) M. tomentosa (Boiss.) Boiss. 2n=12, Sisymbrium erysimoides Des. 2n=14 and Sterigmostemum longistylum (Boiss.) Kuntze 2n=14. Two of the studied species (Matthiola flavida and Sterigmostemum longistylum) are reported for the first time, while the chromosomal data for the remaining species are consistent with previous findings. These species exhibit a basic chromosome number of x=6, 7, or 8. Karyotypic analyses were also conducted in the existing samples and idiogram was drawn for them. The shortest chromosomes belong to Odontarrhena lanigera (2n=16) and the longest chromosomes were observed in Matthiola flavida (2n=12) species.

The chromosome number of Ferula stenocarpa (2n=22) and Ducrosia flabellifolia (2n=22) belonging to Apiaceae, Rindera lanata (2n=48) from Boraginaceae, and Ziziphus spina-christi (2n=24), Z. nummularia (2n=24) of Rhamnaceae and also a hybrid between them (Z. nummularia × Z. spina-christi 2n=24) from the Sahara Sindian Region (southern Iran) are reported. The chromosome numbers of Ferula stenocarpa and Rindera lanata are reported here for the first time and Ducrosia flabellifolia, Z. nummularia, Z. spina-christi, and Z. nummularia × Z. spina-christi are reported for the first time from the Iranian population.

Eight plant species belonging to Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Lamiaceae were collected from Kermanshah province. The chromosome counts of Cousinia kermanshahensis Attar, Ghahr., & Assadi (2n=24), Hedysarum al-shehbazii Ranjbar (2n=16), Onobrychis lunata Boiss. (2n=14), Salvia sclareopsis Bornm. ex Hedge (2n=20) and Phlomis anisodonta Boiss. subsp. anisodonta (2n=20) are reported for the first time, and the chromosome counts of Anagyris foetida L. (2n=18), Chesneya rytidosperma Jaub. & Spach (2n=16) and Thymbra spicata L. (2n=28) are reported for the first time for the flora of Iran.

The North Khorasan Province is a transitional region due to its location at the intersection of several phytogeographic regions that harbor diverse vegetation. In the present study, the conservation status of five endemic species of the province, including Astragalus razensis, A. neomaassoumianus, A. neoassadianus, Hedysarum paucifoliatum, and Onobrychis assadii are studied experimentally using IUCN criteria including Extent of Occurrence (EOO), Area of Occupancy (AOO) and size of population. The results showed that all of these species are restricted to type location. The mean average values of AOO were less than 5 Km2. These species are critically endangered taxa (CR). Among these species, A. neomaassouminaus and Onobrychis assadii are naturally protected from destructive factors like grazing. Considering the small populations of the studied species, protecting their natural habitats as in-situ conservation by the Natural Resources Organization and ex-situ conservation of these species' seeds in the Natural Resources Seed Bank of Iran is highly recommended.

Sorbus luristanica is a flowering plant from the Rosaceae of Iran. It is distributed in two mountainous regions, Gahar Lake and Kahman Lake in Lorestan Province. This is a deciduous tree with a height of up to 4 m. It is endemic to Iran. The species' conservation status was defined based on the IUCN Red List Categories. According to field survey and plot sampling, Sorbus luristanica occupies an area of 20 Km2, and the extent of occurrence is 717 Km2. Based on the Area of Occupancy (AOO), population size, regeneration, mainly by seeds, and habitat quality, this species' conservation status is classified as Endangered/EN. Field observations have shown that lack of proper management and recreation are the main threats to this rare species. Defining protected habitat by the Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Management Organization and the ex-situ conservation in botanical gardens and Plant Natural Resources Gene Banks are suggested for Sorbus luristanica conservation.