Isfahan, Iran

Hotspot & Ecoregion Status

The Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot includes major parts of central and eastern Turkey, portions of southern Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, much of Armenia, northeastern Iraq, and northern and western Iran. ^[1] The Iranian city Esfahan is located within the southeastern part of the hotspot.

Species statistics ^[2]

	Number of species	Number of Endemics	Notable species
Plants	~400	Deficient data
Birds	>360	0	the Critically Endangered sociable lapwing ( Vanellus gregarius ) (migratory)
Mammals	>140	10 species	the Critically Endangered Asiatic cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus venaticus )
Reptiles	>115	~a dozen species
Amphibians	~20	2 species
Freshwater Fishes	~90	~30 species
Invertebrates	Deficient data	Deficient data

The Anatolian Diagonal is a floristic line crossing Inner Anatolia. Nearly 400 plant species distribute largely confined to this line, and many Turkish endemics occur only in the immediacy of it. Many characteristic species are incredibly localized salt plants, growing in closed basins and adapted to extreme conditions of dry, saline soils with high temperatures and little water. Although no birds in the hotspot is endemic, several globally threatened birds have important breeding populations here. Wetlands in Turkey and Iran also support breeding colonies of waterfowl, notably the greater flamingo ( Phoenicopterus roseus ). Most of the endemics of mammals in the hotspot are rodents. One of the flagship mammals is the Critically Endangered Asiatic cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus venaticus )[i], of which the range is near the expanding Esfahan ^[3] . Reptiles are recorded with roughly a 10 percent endemism rate, of which most are threatened vipers with very restricted ranges. Despite insufficient data of the invertebrate fauna in the hotspot, Irano-Anatolian (especially in Turkey) is known to be diverse in butterflies, with at least 350 species. There are also more than 40 types of scorpions, of which at least half are endemic. ^[4]

The human population in Irano-Anatolian has doubled since the 1970s and is continuously growing. Consequently, increased deforestation and overgrazing have caused notable biodiversity degradation. Some other threats include agriculture, irrigation infrastructure, overharvest of fuelwood, and mining. Military operations in Iraq, Iran, and Turkey have also led to habitat loss. Today, the remaining pristine forested area exist only on inaccessible mountains of southeastern Turkey and nearby territories of Iran. No more than 15 percent of original vegetation in the hotspot are intact at present. ^[5]

Zagros Mountains Forest Steppe

The Zagros Mountains Forest Steppe ecoregion is located primarily in Iran, roughly parallel to the country’s western border. It supports oak-dominant deciduous forests and pistachio-almond forests, amidst a varied steppe flora. The ecoregion has a semi-arid temperate climate, with annual precipitation ranging from 400 to 800 mm, falling mostly in winter and spring. Winters see severe temperatures, often below -25 degree-Celsius. The Zagros mountains support a rich variety of animals, particularly of large mammals such as bears, goats, sheep, wolves, leopards, and other wild cats. ^[6] The Vulnerable wild goat ( Capra aegagrus ) ^[7] , distinguished by its majestic curved horns, has resident range covering Esfahan, and is suffering from hunting.

Overgrazing is a major issue threatening the ecoregion’s biodiversity. It results in the retreat of original woodlands and the spread of thorny shrubs, changing the vegetation composition. Agricultural cultivation (such as irrigation projects) has also greatly reduced areas of habitat. ^[8] Currently, only 5 percent of Zagros Mountains Forest Steppe is protected, which has a 1.57 percent of terrestrial connectivity. ^[9]

Biodiversity Policy/Planning

NBSAP

Iran’s second NBSAP was revised from the previous version and released in 2016. It aims to raise public awareness and conserve the status and resources of ecosystems by 2030. ^[10] The plan lists “population growth and unbalanced distribution” as one of the major threats to biodiversity in the country. ^[11] Some activities to be implemented under the new strategic goals include 1) training for high-level decision-makers 2) development of a legal basis for greater involvement on different levels 3) updating of criteria for resource utilization 4) developing of a national biosafety legal and policies 5) strengthening of economic incentives for private sectors. ^[12]

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