The conservation status of oak species of Iran

The genus Quercus, as the most important genus of Fagaceae in Forests of Iran has remarkable diversity in Zagros region. Regarding to ever-increasing degradation of oak forests of Iran, it is essential to evaluate conservation status of native oaks. Based on the IUCN guidelines three criteria were used to evaluate the oak species as follows: extent of occurance, area of occupancy and number of mature individuals. The studied oaks were categorised as follow: Quercus robur subsp. pedunculiflora in critically endangered class, Q. infectoria subsp. boissieri, Q. macranthera, Q. petraea subsp. iberica, Q. castaneifolia subsp. castaneifolia, Q. libani, Q. persica and Q. brantii var. belangeri in vulnerable class, Q. brantii var. brantii in near threatened class. If the degradation trend continues, be protected, it will too.