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Syria
Thirty three IPAs have been identified in Syria, plus a further ten sites that require botanical research before they can be confirmed as IPAs.
1 Karatchok-Tigris
2 Kurd Dag
3 Jabal Abdul Aziz
4 Jabal Al Wastani
5 Hass-Jabbul
6 Jisr al shogur
7 Fronloq-Kasab
8 Umm Al Tuyur-Bassit
9 Salma-Haffeh
10 Slenfeh-Jaubet et Berghal
11 Ghab
12 Jabal Bishri
13 Abu Qbeis
14 Kanfo
15 Mayadin
16 Massiaf-Qadmous
17 Al Bil As
18 Jabal al Sha ir
19 Jabal Abu Rujmain
20 Daher al Qseir
21 Al Kabeer al Jonubi
22 Akkoum
23 Anti-Lebanon
24 Qalamoun
25 Qassioun
26 Rakhleh - Wadi al Qarn
27 Utaiba - Hijane
28 Hermon
29 North Golan
30 Es Safa
31 Lajat
32 Jabal Al Arab
33 Yarmuk Valley
A large number of Syrian IPAs are mountainous, located within the parallel coastal and the eastern mountain ranges as well as in the isolated mountains of the interior. They include the endemic plant centres of the Northern Levant such as Kurd Dag IPA (endemics include Onosma cinerea, Cicer bijugum and various Astragalus spp.); centres of endemism in Antioch and Amanus; sites capturing Euro-Siberian plant species at their southern limit (for e.g. Smilax excelsa, Iberis sempervirens and I. taurica on Frolonq-Kasub IPA); and the best examples of Cedrus libani and Abies cilicica forests (Slenfeh-Jaubet al Berghl), which are threatened across the whole Mediterranean.
The level of local endemism is exceptionally high in Syria. Restricted range endemic species can be found in nearly every IPA, mega diverse hotspots for restricted range species include in Qassiun and Anti Lebanon IPAs.
The isolated mountains of the interior are dominated by Syrian steppe vegetation and also harbour many local endemics, one of the richest sites being Jabal Abu Rujmain IPA which lies between the arid and Saharo-mediterannan bioclimatic zone and contains over 20 restricted range (and country endemic species) e.g. Iris postii-mout, Onobrychis pinnata, Ajuga rechingeri.
No. of IPAs: 33
No. of IPAs containing single country endemic species: 25
No. of IPAs containing very restricted species (steno-endemics): 27
No. of IPAs containing >20 single country or very restricted range species: 5
Threatened wetlands are also represented in the Syrian IPA inventory - in the shallow saline lake of Hass Jabbul IPA, the riparian sites of Mayadin (the Euphrates) and Al Kabir al Jonubi (coastal river), and remnant swamp vegetation at Ghab and Utaib-Hijaneh.
In the south of Syria IPAs such as Es Safa contain the northern limits of the Saharo-Arabian flora (Kickxia aegyptica and Rheum palaestinum) and Jabal al Arab – with its vast diversity and local endemism due its unique position at the junction of the sub-humid and semi-arid Mediterranean bioclimatic zones.
Seven of the IPAs in Syria are partially or totally protected, including one Ramsar site (internationally important wetland), and three have some form of management plan active on part or all of the site.
Threats to IPAs in Syria
The most frequent threat to IPAs in Syria is the unsustainable collection of herbs and medicinal plants (affecting 91% of sites) this is closely followed by the threat from overgrazing. Deforestation (specifically gathering leaves and branches for fodder and wood for fuel) is another major cause for concern, which is exacerbated by burning on 14 IPAs. Tourism development and extraction of minerals are concerns on 50% of Syrian IPAs.
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Related publications
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