The conservation status of Leutea polyscias (Boiss.) M. Pimenov

Leutea polyscias is one of the perennial and saxicolous species of Apiaceae. This species is endemic to Iran and the study area. The habitats of L. polyscias are the rocky areas of the south of Gilan province at the altitudes between 200-700m in Roudbar and Manjil around the Sepidrud River in the woodlands of Cupressus semervirens var. horizontalis and in Lowshan to Kelishom path at the altitudes between 1100-1900m in the woodlands of Juniperus excelsa. In this paper, the conservation status of this species was determined based on the IUCN guidelines, using three criteria, including the area of occupancy, the extent of occurrence, and population size. The area of occupancy (AOO) of L. polyscias, according to field studies, was measured to be 2.62 km2, and the extent of occurrence in the habitat (EOO) using GeoCAT software was estimated to be 316 km2. According to the results of this study, L. polyscia is defined as a critically endangered (CR) species. Land-use change, road construction, and mining are the main causes of habitat degradation and the threat of this species. Therefore, in this regard, the immediate attention of the Forests, Rangelands, and Watershed Management Organization and Department of Environment is needed to protect this endemic species.