<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Assessing distribution patterns of valuable taxa plays an important role in the biodiversity conservation of these taxa. The genus <italic>Crocus</italic> L. (Iridaceae) comprises about 100 species that are distributed mainly in the Mediterranean region and western Asia. The present study purposed to assess the distribution patterns of Iranian <italic>Crocus</italic> species (including <italic>C. sativus</italic> L. and 8 wild species) and their conservation status in Iran as one of diversity centers of <italic>Crocus</italic> in the Middle East. A set of geographic distribution data was compiled through field studies, and reviews of herbarium specimens, iNaturalist, and various Flora. Localities were marked on geo-referenced maps (1/106) of Iran using ArcView version 3.2 (Esri, 2000). The distribution patterns of the taxa were mapped per 0.25° × 0.25° universal transverse Mercator grid cells (25 km<sup>2</sup> with the exception of boundary area). Based on the species distribution (SDI) (33%) and species specialization (SSI) (44%) indices, those Iranian <italic>Crocus</italic> species that are threatened are mainly distributed in Irano-Turanian region. The mountainous ecosystems of Almeh and Western Alborz are important distribution centers of these taxa. Iranian <italic>Crocus</italic> species with SSI &lt; 0.5 (<italic>C. almehensis</italic>, <italic>C. gilanicus</italic>, <italic>C. michelsonii</italic>, and <italic>C. caspius</italic>) have the highest conservation value.</p>
</abstract>

Assessing distribution patterns of valuable taxa plays an important role in the biodiversity conservation of these taxa. The genus Crocus L. (Iridaceae) comprises about 100 species that are distributed mainly in the Mediterranean region and western Asia. The present study purposed to assess the distribution patterns of Iranian Crocus species (including C. sativus L. and 8 wild species) and their conservation status in Iran as one of diversity centers of Crocus in the Middle East. A set of geographic distribution data was compiled through field studies, and reviews of herbarium specimens, iNaturalist, and various Flora. Localities were marked on geo-referenced maps (1/106) of Iran using ArcView version 3.2 (Esri, 2000). The distribution patterns of the taxa were mapped per 0.25° × 0.25° universal transverse Mercator grid cells (25 km2 with the exception of boundary area). Based on the species distribution (SDI) (33%) and species specialization (SSI) (44%) indices, those Iranian Crocus species that are threatened are mainly distributed in Irano-Turanian region. The mountainous ecosystems of Almeh and Western Alborz are important distribution centers of these taxa. Iranian Crocus species with SSI < 0.5 (C. almehensis, C. gilanicus, C. michelsonii, and C. caspius) have the highest conservation value.

Distribution patterns and conservation status of <italic>Crocus</italic> species in Iran, one of the diversity centers of <italic>Crocus</italic> in the Middle East

Department of Plant Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology

Folia Oecologica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Distribution patterns and conservation status of  species in Iran, one of the diversity centers of  in the Middle East

Assessing distribution patterns of valuable taxa plays an important role in the biodiversity conservation of these taxa. The genus Crocus L. (Iridaceae)...

Distribution patterns and conservation status of Crocus species in Iran, one of the diversity centers of Crocus in the Middle East

Published Online: Jul 31, 2021

Page range: 156 - 168

Received: Dec 22, 2020

Accepted: Jun 07, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2021-0016

Keywords
conservation, crop wild relatives (CWR), distribution, Iridaceae, saffron

© 2021 Melika Tabasi et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Distribution patterns and conservation status of Crocus species in Iran, one of the diversity centers of Crocus in the Middle East

Published Online: Jul 31, 2021

Page range: 156 - 168

Received: Dec 22, 2020

Accepted: Jun 07, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2021-0016

Keywordsconservation, crop wild relatives (CWR), distribution, Iridaceae, saffron

© 2021 Melika Tabasi et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
conservation, crop wild relatives (CWR), distribution, Iridaceae, saffron