asteraceae

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.

Scorzonera nivalis Boiss. & Hausskn (Asteraceae) is one of the narrowest endemic species in Iran's flora, restricted to the Schahu and Avroman Mountains. IUCN criteria and GeoCAT data (EOO= 339.736 km2; AOO= 4.41 km2) classify this species as Critically Endangered (CR). This species was not collected after it was introduced 156 years ago by Boissier and Haussknecht until 2013 when it was collected for the second time from Schahu Mountain. Later studies conducted in Kurdistan Province added other populations from the Avroaman Mountains to the samples of this valuable species. The most efficient way to protect this species is to help its propagation through seeding and sowing in other similar habitats in the Schahu and Avroman Mountains. Introducing Schahu Mountain as a protected area by the Department of Environment of Iran, preventing livestock from entering the top of the mountain, collecting seeds, and storing them in the Natural Resources Gene Bank of Iran are other effective ways to protect this valuable reserve.

Scorzonera alborzensis is one of the exclusive and rare species collected and reported from only one place in the country (Mazandaran province: between Baladeh and Nour, Siahsang mountains, 3023 m). The genus Scorzonera L. belongs to the Asteraceae family and has 19 endemic species in Iran. Based on the guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Area of Occupancy (AOO), Extent of Occurrence (EOO), habitat quality, population size, and natural reproduction of the species were evaluated. According to the field studies, the area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) were estimated at an area of 0.01 km2 (only one locality), and the number of adult individuals is between 15 and 20, with a very low regeneration rate. Therefore, according to our studies, Scorzonera alborzensis is defined as a Critically Endangered (CR) species. Road construction and grazing in this species' habitat are among the life-threatening factors. As a result, the Natural Resources and Watershed Organization needs to protect this species' habitat. Further, ex-situ conservation must be achieved by preserving seeds in the Natural Resources Seed Bank, growing seeds, and cultivating seedlings in Iran's National Botanical Garden

The Scorzonera L. (Asteraceae) has 18 endemic species in Iran. S. persica Boiss. & Buhse is one of the endemic species and has only been collected and reported from three localities in the country. Based on the IUCN guidelines, different categories and criteria were used to evaluate the status of the species as follows: Area of Occupancy (AOO), Extent of Occurrence (EOO), quality of habitat, size of the population, and regeneration. According to the field studies, S. persica occupies an area of 0.6 km2. In the analysis of GeoCAT software, the extent of occurrence was 2720 Km2. Based on our results, the conservation status of S. persica is defined as Critically Endangered (CR). Construction operations and grazing in the habitat of this species are among the life-threatening factors of this species, so it seems necessary to protect this species by protecting its habitat.

Tephritidae, with about 4500 known species, is one of the largest families of Diptera, identified in various habitats all around the world. The larvae of some species of this family feed on fruit flesh and are considered as important pests of agricultural products. Most species are phytophagous and the larvae, by consuming the seeds of Asteraceae plants and inducing galls in flowerheads, prevent the production of healthy seeds and consequently cause failure in rangeland seeding programs. The Asteraceae family is one of the largest plant families of the angiosperms and has significant environmental and economic importance. It is found in most habitats abundantly, both polar and tropical regions. About 10% of native plants in each region belong to this family. In total, 150 species of these flies were identified in Iran, of which about 15 species are pests on fruit trees and vegetable crops and the others feed on Asteraceae plants. In the present study, 111 species, belonging to 29 genera, and two subfamilies of this family were collected by insect-netting and aspirator and identified. Also, 50 host plant species of 19 genera were identified in the herbarium. Therefore, this research was conducted due to the importance of these plants in rangelands, as a resource for livestock fodder, prevention of soil erosion as well as the importance of seed-feeding behavior and gall-inducing by flies, which reduce the distribution of the Asteraceae species in rangelands.

The conservation status of Tanacetum paradoxum, an Iranian endemic species of Asteraceae, was evaluated and defined based on IUCN threat categories. It was studied according to three categories: area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and the number of mature species in populations (based on field visits). The only habitat of this species is in the center of Fars (on the road of Sarvestan to Fasa, Post-e Chenar, Cheshmeh Mordi), in a cold semi-arid region. Its habitat is located in the Zagros area. Tanacetum paradoxum occupies an area of 560 m2 with scattered individuals in the area. Based on IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), it is a critically endangered species. The habitat of this species is affected by human activities. The field observations indicated that the lack of management and inappropriate exploitation such as degradation of habitat by road construction and the transport of vehicles in the region, mining, power pole, land use change, construction of the olive garden, and agriculture were the main threats to this species. Therefore, special attention and full conservation of the species habitat are needed.