Hotspots of (sub)alpine plants in the Irano‐Anatolian global biodiversity hotspot are insufficiently protected

Abstract

Aim The mountainous regions in SW Asia harbour a high number of endemic species, many of which are restricted to the high‐elevation zone. The (sub)alpine habitats of the region are under particular threat due to global change, but their biodiversity hotspots and conservation status have not been investigated so far. Location Subalpine‐alpine habitats of SW Asia. Methods Distribution data of all (sub)alpine vascular plant species of the region were compiled, resulting in 19,680 localities from 1672 (sub)alpine species, the majority of them being restricted to the region (76%). Six quantitative indices of species diversity were used on the basis of 0.5° × 0.5° grid cells to identify (sub)alpine hotspots. Hotspots whose surface area in the (sub)alpine zone was covered by nature reserves maximally by 10% were defined as conservation gaps. Results A high proportion (80%) of the endemic species of the study area is range‐restricted and narrowly distributed. The results of all six indices were highly correlated. Using the top 5%, 10% and 20% richest cells supported by any index, 32, 53 and 98 cells, respectively, were identified as Hotspots. Almost 60% of these Hotspots at all three levels were identified as unprotected (i.e. constituted Conservation Gaps). Generally, only 22%, 18% and 16%, respectively, of the alpine surface area of the identified Hotspots were covered by nature reserves for the top 5%, 10% and 20% richest cells, respectively. Main conclusions Although the rate of protection in (sub)alpine Hotspots exceeds that of the entire region it is still insufficient, because these Hotspots are much richer in endemic and in range‐restricted species, but at the same time are under high pressure of global change. Therefore, the establishment of new nature reserves with high conservation efficiency in (sub)alpine habitats with a particular focus on the identified Hotspots is strongly recommended.

Possible extinction of Eversmannia subspinosa in Eastern Alborz by 2060 due to climate change: A MaxEnt study

“…While there are some protected areas and natural parks across the main habitats of E. subspinosa, the gaps between these areas could hinder the response of the species to global warming and accelerate its probable extinction over the study area (Noroozi, 2020). Therefore, lling these gaps with de ning new protected areas and national parks is highly recommended to not only delay the extinction of this species, but also to protect other rare and endemic species of the study area (Noroozi, 2020;Noroozi et al, 2023).…”

Evolutionary response of cold‐adapted chasmophytic plants to Quaternary climatic oscillations in the Mountains of Central Asia (a world hotspot of biodiversity)

“…The region is also most sensitive to future climate warming (Vintsek et al, 2022), and if the trend continues, many of these taxa will likely run out of suitable habitat in the near future. Therefore, identifying and protecting of micro‐hotspots within alpine biodiversity hotspots is contemporary challenge for conservation management (Canestrelli et al, 2014; Ludovicy et al, 2022; Noroozi et al, 2022).…”

Balkan‐Anatolian biogeographic links and the evolutionary significance of Anatolian mountains, as evidenced by Cardamine (Brassicaceae)

“…Furthermore, the present results emphasize that the Pontic Mts. in northeastern Anatolia are a diversity hotspot, not only at the level of species diversity and endemism (Noroozi & al., 2019(Noroozi & al., , 2022Parolly, 2020), but also at the level of genetic diversity (e.g., Veith & al., 2003), which, however, remains largely unexplored. We illustrate here that this area can support longterm species persistence and diversity accumulation in situ, and also serves as a meeting point for lineages spreading from adjacent areas.…”

“…Anatolia represents an area of global importance in terms of its high biodiversity, endemism, and transitional biogeographic position, historically fulfilling the role of interconnection between Europe, Asia, and Africa (Manafzadeh & al., 2017;Dönmez & Yerli, 2018;Thompson, 2020). Three global biodiversity hotspots are partially located in this area (Caucasian, Irano-Anatolian, Mediterranean; Mittermeier & al., 2011;Noroozi & al., 2019Noroozi & al., , 2022, and three phytogeographic regions meet there (Euro-Siberian, Irano-Turanian, Mediterranean; Ekim & Güner, 2000;Parolly, 2020). About 10,150 seed plant species have been reported from Türkiye, of which nearly one-third are endemics (Dönmez & Yerli, 2018).…”