Biogeographical and biodiversity study of tree and shrub vegetation in Tehran province

Trees and shrubs have always played a significant role in water and soil conservation and the fulfillment of various needs of humans and the wildlife. Reports indicate that the existing distribution and variation in forest regions is decreasing everyday and in some case has resulted in the extinction of some species. One of the most significant strategies for preserving these rich and valuable areas is identification, collection, maintenance, and effective management of the genetic resources of the forests. As a part of the proposed plan for preserving the genetic resources of tree and shrub species in Tehran, the present study explores the condition and the biological diversity of these species. Samples were collected from different climatic regions through identification of a number of sites and referring to them during various vegetation periods. Over a five-year period, 79 species from 48 genera and 28 families were identified and recorded. The botanic and growth traits, the type of their application, and the amount of coverage in the dominant species were described. The seeds of different species were collected, identified, and sent to the plant-gene bank for conservation. During the research period a number of species including juniper, mastic, ash, elm, and shirkhesht were more specifically explored.