Conservation status of eight rare (Apiaceae) taxa from Syria

Abstract

Habitat fragmentation is one of the main threats to biodiversity. Hence, many species nowadays occur mainly in small and isolated populations (such as endemic species), and will be expected to face extinction. The precise evaluation of the conservation status of a particular species is a necessary condition to prevent its extinction. The correct assessment of conservation status of a species is the most significant tools in biodiversity conservation.Extensive field studies and a large number of specimens collected from N-W Syria and examining herbarium specimens deposited at some limited Syrian herbaria. Ecological properties were also observed in the field. Threatened categories are proposed according to IUCN Red List Categories Version 3.1. Conservation status of eight species is evaluated for Syria and global level. Threatened categories of the species are determined as • NT for Peucedanum mucronatum, Johrenia dichotoma, and Eryngium desertorum locally, and changed for the first two species to LC on globally (the latter is endemic only to the region).• VU for Chaerophyllum libanoticum, Ferulago cassia, and Johrenia porteri for local and global levels.• EN for Ferula hermonis for both the local and global levels.• CR for Eryngium maritimum for the local level, but decreased to NT on the global level.The taxa mainly distributed at coastal areas and Mountains of east Mediterranean. This region is under various threats because of Human disturbance, Agricultural activities and repeated forest fires in recent years. Therefore, in situ and ex situ conservation measures should be enforced for the species