Medicinal plants of Sabalan rangeland ecosystem in Ardabil povince

Sustainable development for utilization of medicinal plants, is required identifying the genetic resources, geographical distribution and recognizing the potentials of those, through recognition of capabilities and appropriate programming be able to prevent the excessive exploitation of them as direct harvest from the nature that cause the destruction and extinction of valuable species. By review of literature, and extensive fieldworks medicinal plants were collected, and identified and investigated in terms of floristic, lifeform, used by honeybee and being aromatic with comparison with the literature. Overall, 242 medicinal species were identified, which belong to 154 genera and 46 families and Asteraceae families with 46 species, Lamiaceae with 33 species, Apiaceae with 19 species, are the most important families at the study area. Achillea and Artemisia genera each with six species and Alyssum, Thymus, Plantago and Rumex each with five species were the richest genera. There are 107 aromatic medical species and 111 species, which are used by honeybee in the study area. According to the red book of Iran, eight species were classfied, which seven of them are in low-risk and one is in the lack of information status. In general, through identifying the genetic resources, geographical distribution and potentials in relation to medicinal plants and creation a systematic framework for planting and harvesting of them, in order to protect natural resources, treatment of diseases and production of raw materials for related industries, employment creation and providing suitable resources to export, will be possible.