The conservation status of Ranunculus dalechanensis: an endemic species

Ranunculus dalechanensis Iranshahr & Rech. f. is a rhizomatous perennial herb in the Ranunculaceae family. This alpine species is a local endemic in Kermanshah Province, west of Iran. The habitat of this species is located in the South of Sonqor city with a limited distribution near the pick of Dalakhani Mountain. Based on IUCN guidelines, three criteria were used to evaluate the status of this species: Extent of Occurrence (EOO), Area of Occupancy (AOO), and population size. Based on field studies and plot sampling, R. dalechanensis occupies an area of 0.0006 Km2 (600 m2). According to our results, R. dalechanensis is defined as a critically endangered (CR) species. The high traffic of climbers and livestock of neighboring villages in the habitat of this species may expose this natural environment and beautiful landscape to destruction. It should be noted that even though this species is poisonous, animal grazing cannot be considered a threat, but it will cause physical damage and uprooting of the plants. The ex-situ conservation is recommended, by preserving its seeds in the Natural Resources Seed Bank and cultivating the species in the National Botanical Garden of Iran and the Zagros Botanical Garden. Ex-situ conservation by Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization is urgently needed.