flora of mount soffeh in isfahan, iran

The study area, mount soffeh in isfahan, with an elevation range of 1700 to 2250 m, is situated at the southernmost tip of isfahan city, making it one of the most significant mountains in isfahan. this research aimed to discover the botanical diversity and floristic composition of this mountain. accordingly, plant specimens were collected from various regions of mount soffeh during the growing season, from march 2021 to december 2023. according to this study, a total of 258 species were identified, belonging to 189 genera and 46 families. the largest identified families in the area, in order, include: asteraceae with 57 species, poaceae with 24 species, brassicaceae with 18 species, amaranthaceae with 15 species, fabaceae with 15 species, lamiaceae with 15 species, boraginaceae with 13 species, apiaceae with 11 species, and caryophyllaceae with 8 species. the flora comprises 40 dicotyledon families, 4 monocotyledon families, one gymnosperm family, and one pteridophyte family. the life forms, according to the raunkiaer system, include 37.2% therophytes, 35.27% hemicryptophytes, 16.27% chamaephytes, 5.03% phanerophytes, 5.41% cryptophytes (geophytes and helophytes), and 0.77% parasites. furthermore, in terms of geographical distribution, 45.34% of the plants in this area are related to the irano-turanian area, with the rest belonging to two or more geographical points. forty-four species are also endemic or sub-endemic to iran. our research represents a significant leap in understanding the botanical diversity of mount soffeh. while historical records documented approximately 100 species on mount soffeh until 2021, our study exposes a notable increase, with over 250 species identified. particularly significant is the discovery of about 190 taxa reported for the first time on mount soffeh, emphasizing the importance of ongoing botanical exploration in the region. additionally, we report the first documentation of tanacetum stapfianum (rech.f.) podlech in isfahan province and specifically on mount soffeh, expanding our knowledge of the regional flora. despite the absence of grazing, mount soffeh faces threats from tourism, climbing, and infrastructure development such as roads and cable cars, endangering its delicate ecosystem and species diversity. conservation measures are essential for the protection of mount soffeh’s botanical richness for the future.

flora of mount soffeh in isfahan, iran

the study area, mount soffeh in isfahan, with an elevation range of 1700 to 2250 m, is situated at the southernmost tip of isfahan city, making it one of the most significant mountains in isfahan. this research aimed to discover the botanical diversity and floristic composition of this mountain. accordingly, plant specimens were collected from various regions of mount soffeh during the growing season, from march 2021 to december 2023. according to this study, a total of 258 species were identified, belonging to 189 genera and 46 families. the largest identified families in the area, in order, include: asteraceae with 57 species, poaceae with 24 species, brassicaceae with 18 species, amaranthaceae with 15 species, fabaceae with 15 species, lamiaceae with 15 species, boraginaceae with 13 species, apiaceae with 11 species, and caryophyllaceae with 8 species. the flora comprises 40 dicotyledon families, 4 monocotyledon families, one gymnosperm family, and one pteridophyte family. the life forms, according to the raunkiaer system, include 37.2% therophytes, 35.27% hemicryptophytes, 16.27% chamaephytes, 5.03% phanerophytes, 5.41% cryptophytes (geophytes and helophytes), and 0.77% parasites. furthermore, in terms of geographical distribution, 45.34% of the plants in this area are related to the irano-turanian area, with the rest belonging to two or more geographical points. forty-four species are also endemic or sub-endemic to iran. our research represents a significant leap in understanding the botanical diversity of mount soffeh. while historical records documented approximately 100 species on mount soffeh until 2021, our study exposes a notable increase, with over 250 species identified. particularly significant is the discovery of about 190 taxa reported for the first time on mount soffeh, emphasizing the importance of ongoing botanical exploration in the region. additionally, we report the first documentation of tanacetum stapfianum (rech.f.) podlech in isfahan province and specifically on mount soffeh, expanding our knowledge of the regional flora. despite the absence of grazing, mount soffeh faces threats from tourism, climbing, and infrastructure development such as roads and cable cars, endangering its delicate ecosystem and species diversity. conservation measures are essential for the protection of mount soffeh’s botanical richness for the future.