The conservation status of Astragalus safavii Podlech & Maassoumi, as an endemic species

Astragalus safavii is an endemic species in Iran and it is distributed in the marl lands between Tabriz and Ahar cities in East Azerbaijan province. The conservation status of this species was studied based on the criteria of the international union for conservation of nature (IUCN). The GPS device was used to determine the area of occupancy of the species. The extent of occurrence of the species was calculated using Geocat software. Also, to determine the number of mature individuals, several plots were located in the habitat and their number was counted. This species is evaluated as critically endangered (CR) due to three criteria of extent of occurrence, area of occupancy and number of mature individuals. Field observations showed that livestock grazing and soil erosion due to water flow were the factors threatening this species. In order to protect and prevent the extinction of this species, seed collection and preservation in the gene bank, plant propagation and planting in botanical gardens, seeding in the main habitat, enclosure and soil stabilization by planting perennial species are recommended.