Tropentag, October 7 - 9, 2008 in Hohenheim "Competition for Resources in a Changing World: New Drive for Rural Development"

Bushehr Province (N.E. Persian Gulf) as an Important Reservoir for Plant Biodiversity in Iran

Shahid Beheshti University, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management, Iran

Abstract

Bushehr Province is a biodiversity hotspot in N.E. Persian Gulf. There are some protected regions in Bushehr that can be considered as in-situ conservation sites for plant biodiversity. Desert weather and different habitat zones in Bushehr province (mountainous areas in the eastern parts, coastal area and wetlands in the western part) provide many ecological niches for high spectrum of ornamental, medicinal and otherwise valued plant. Some important examples are Phoenix dactylifera (food), Prosopis cineraria (protective and ecological), Prosopis koelzinia (protective and ecological), Avicennia marinna (ornamental, protective and ecological), Ficus bengalensis (ornamental, protective and ecological), Amygdalus scoparia (ornamental and food), Pistacia khinjuk (medicinal-industrial), Tecomella undulata (ornamental and protective), Suaeda fruticosa (ecological and food), Ziziphus spina-christii (food and ornamental), Ducrosia anethifolia (medicinal), Salvia aegyptiaca (medicinal), Galadiolus italicus (ornamental), Bellevalia saviezii (ornamental), Ornithogalum persicum (ornamental), Aloe vera (ornamental and medicinal), Ricinus communis (ornamental and medicinal), Capparis mucronifolia (food), Plantago psyllium (medicinal), Calligonum comosum (ornamental and ecological), Alhagi manifera (medicinal). Connection between two ecosystems (mountain and desert) created a natural genetic reservoir in N.E. Persian Gulf. Khark wild life refuge (island), Kharku Natural Monument (island), Nakhilo-Dayer national Park (island-inland), Heleh protected area and international wetland, Nayband marine national park, Khaeez mountainous reservoir (ecotone ecosystem) Razm Abad and Chah Talkh forest reservoirs represent high values of mentioned plant habitats for conservation. Our ethnobotanical and systematic studies can be used for the determination of new genetic resources in supporting sustainable development. Ex situ conservation of some vulnerable taxa (gene banks) can be used for gene conservation and for enhancing the nutritional and future economic security of farmers in the South of Iran.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Bushehr, Iran, ethnobotany

Contact Address: Ahmadreza Mehrabian, Shahid Beheshti University, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management, Evin, Tehran, Iran, e-mail: a_mehrabiansbu.ac.ir