The National Botanical Garden of Iran is a reliable source to supply healthy and high-vigor seeds of the native Populus caspica Oliv.

Plant diversity is disappearing at an unprecedented speed. As a result, ecosystems face many risks. About one-third of the world's plant species are endangered for reasons such as over-exploitation, environmental pollution, urbanization, land-use change, global climate change, and cultivation of invasive species. Supplying good seeds and seedlings is the first need to revitalize natural areas. Botanical gardens play an important role in the development and conservation of plant species. The germination percentage of seeds collected from the National Botanical Garden of Iran (100%) was 46% to 65% higher than the seeds of three natural areas in Mazandaran province. Planted Populus caspica trees in the botanical garden for growth and regeneration were superior to those found in natural areas. However, regarding the limited diversity of Populus caspica in the National Botanical Garden of Iran, the individuals of Populus caspica from natural habitats or seed orchards should be used for reforestation to preserve genetic diversity in the reforestation areas.