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Number of IPAs: 4
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has an active programme to identify IPAs. So far full site assessments for four have been published.
KSA has a relatively rich and diverse flora. So far 2250 plant species have been recorded representing four floristic regions: the Saharo-Sindian; the Somalia-Masai; the Afromontane the Mediterranean. The mixing of these diverse floristic elements reflects the past climatic history of the region with tropical elements migrating through during hotter, wetter periods and temperate elements migrating south during cooler periods – each migration leaving relic populations surviving in climatic refugia such as on mountain tops and cliffs.
This complex history gives rise to the present unique vegetation of the region where savannah-like Acacia woodlands reminiscent of tropical Africa mix with the steppe vegetation reminiscent of the great plateaus of SW and Central Asia and the forests and shrublands of the Mediterranean and where mountain refugia harbour plant relics of these past migration.
The IPAs so far published reflect the great diversity of vegetation and habitats in KSA from ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid, an iconic hyper-arid sand desert representing the largest sand sea on Earth, the only tropical sand desert in Asia and an ecological refuge for iconic wildlife of the desert. To the Farasan Islands with their mangrove woodlands and the isolated granite domes of Jabal Aja’ and the sandstone canyon of Jabal Qaraqir which provide relatively cool & moist Pleistocene refuge and harbour relict plants of Mediterranean & Irano-Turanian origin.
Schedules of several sites are being prepared including for the deep, dramatic canyon of Wadi Lajb which contains the richest and best-preserved remnant of relict valley forest in Saudi Arabia and the isolated mountains of NW KSA including Jabal al-Lawz range where snow appears regularly and the isolated massifs of the spectacular Jabal ad-Dubbagh range both providing important Pleistocene climatic refugia.
Threats to the plants and vegetation of KSA are intense over-grazing combined with very rapid economic development
Mangrove woodland on Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia
Tribulusa arabicus in Uruq Bani Ma’rib IPA, Saudi Arabia
Valley forest in Lajib Gorge- an IPA in preparation, Saudi Arabia
Number of IPAs: 26 IPAs
Lebanon hosts a rich variety of wildlife including many rare and endemic plant species. This richness is due to the location of the country, which is at the intersection of different continents. In addition, Lebanon’s mountainous nature forms isolated areas with unique local climates.
Around 2,790 species of vascular plants comprise the Lebanese flora, including approximately 92 national endemic species. Two floristic ensembles are recognised in the country; Mediterranean and Presteppic Mediterranean, they are represented in almost all of their vegetation levels.
A total of 26 IPAs have been defined in Lebanon. Of these, 16 are in the Mount Lebanon range, on west facing slopes and high mountain plateaux. The remaining ten IPAs are found in the Lebanese coast, the Bekaa valley, and the Anti-Lebanon mountain range. The IPAs have been identified based on their richness in plant species as well as the presence of endemic and threatened species.
Endemic and/or threatened species are found in almost every designated IPA and most of them contain more than 10 nationally endemic species. Some sites are exceptionally rich in endemics. They include threatened endemics represented in a single IPA: Vicia canescens Labill (in Mount Makmel IPA), Chaerophyllum aurantiacum Post (Tannourine IPA), Centaurea mouterdii Wagenitz. (Rihane) and Tulipa lownei Baker (Chouf) or within more than one IPA for example: Matthiola crassifolia Boiss. et Gaill., Melissa inodora Boiss., Viola libanotica Bornm. and Iris sofarana Foster. In addition to endemics, the designated IPAs include some species that are at the edge of their distribution range such as Abies cilicica (Antoine & Kotschy) Carr found in Bcharreh-Ehden IPA.
Almost every type of habitat in Lebanon is threatened; urban expansion is invading every mountain, coast, plain, and valley. Examples of IPAs facing anthropomorphic threats include the coast (Beirut–Jiyyeh Coast and Tyre-Naqoura), dry plains (Hermel Plain), wetlands (Aammiq), riparian ecosystems (Wadi Jannah and Nahr Ed-Damour), as well as the mountains and valleys in most of the IPAs of Mount Lebanon. The expansion and intensification of agriculture, deforestation and climate change are also frequent threats to IPAs.
Information booklet
Research paper
Data set
Find Lebanon on pages 53-57
Chouf IPA, Lebanon
Tannourine IPA, Lebanon
Mount Hermon, Lebanon
Number of IPAs: 15 IPAs
Israel covers an area of 20,770 km2
15 IPAs have been identified in Israel of which 7 have a high priority for conservation
Israel is a small country (20,770 sq km) which is about 70% desert but nevertheless very rich in plant diversity. The flora of Israel comprises 2,272 different wild species from 128 families and 775 genera. 414 of these species are threatened (critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable) on a national level and 56 are national endemics. While the number of the Red Plants of Israel is high compared with homologous countries, the number of endemic species is much lower.
The richness of the flora is due to Israel’s geographical position between Africa and Asia, where three phytogeographical regions intersect: the Mediterranean, the Irano-Turanian and the Saharo-Arabian. At this crossroads a wide range of habitats, altitudes and climates are present – where temperate species coexist alongside species from tropical, desert and xero-alpine climates. Steep geomorphological and ecological gradients rise from the sea, range over lush green arboreal mountains and descend to extreme desert around the Dead Sea, the lowest region on earth.
47.8% of the wild plants in the Mediterranean and desert regions are annuals that occupy small niches and are known for their fast speciation rate. Israel’s flora reflects these characteristics. The long co-evolution of the local flora with human culture in the Fertile Crescent yields a rich and diverse annual and antipastoral flora, well adapted to the disturbed habitats associated with human civilization.
The IPA sites encompass the following habitats: Mediterranean maquis (chaparral); Mediterranean-desert transition (for e.g. Hebron IPA); desert shrubland (Har HaNegev); extreme desert oasis (Dead Sea coast); coastal plain (Poleg), including the unique vegetation associated with the sandy habitats on Hamra soil (red sandy loam) and kurkar (calcareous sandstone); sand dunes; coastal seasonal pools; wadi beds; wetlands and swamp (Hula); springs and riparian vegetation and coastal salt marshes (Acre).
Significant species include the Israeli endemics Allium negense, Bufonia ramonensis and Ferula daniniias as well as numerous regional endemic species such as Iris atrofusca, I. vartanii, Mosheovia galilae and Rheum palaestinum.
Habitat fragmentation and urbanisation are the greatest threats to IPAs in Israel.
Find Israel on pages 48-52
Netofa IPA, Israel
Negev IPA, Israel
Gamla Nature Reserve, Israel
Number of IPAs: 9
Montana is the largest state in the northwest portion of the United States
Montana is the largest state in the northwest portion of the United States and contains much of the northernmost portion of the Rocky Mountains. Approximately the eastern two-thirds of the state is part of the Northern Great Plains, a large area dominated by semi-arid grasslands. Montana is not particularly species-rich because a large portion was covered by ice during the last glacial epoch.
On the other hand, Montana has some of the most extensive and relatively undisturbed landscapes in the country. In addition, small parts of the state support plant communities and species that are peripheral outliers from other parts of the continent such as Arctic-Boreal, Pacific Northwest and Great Basin, that can be important for conservation.
The Montana Native Plant Society (MNPS) began the Important Plant Areas Program in 2008, modelled after the National Audubon’s Important Bird Areas Program. MNPS used the Plant Species of Concern list developed by the Montana Natural Heritage Program that ranked plants by their global and within-state rarity and degree of threats. The first IPA was dedicated in 2010. Since then eight other IPAs have been dedicated with an additional one currently being considered. Nomination guidelines are provided on the MNPS website.
The Pryor Mountains IPA supports numerous species that are common in the arid Great Basin to the south and west. In addition, the Pryors IPA supports five species that are endemic to this area of Montana and adjacent Wyoming.
The Centennial Sandhills IPA contains a large portion of the largest sandhills habitat in the state and supports four species of rare plants that are generally found only in open sand habitats. Both of these IPAs are threatened by off-road vehicle use.
The Pine Butte Peatlands IPA is the largest fen complex in Montana. This IPA supports 13 species of boreal plants that are considered rare in the state, although all are more common to the north. Outside of warming from human-caused climate change, there are few threats because the majority of the IPA is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy.
The Big Sheep Creek Basin IPA encompasses a very diverse landscape in the southwest portion of Montana. It supports 13 species of plants considered rare in Montana, two of which are regional endemics. Threats include mineral extraction, weed invasion, livestock grazing and water diversion.
Photography by: Peter Lesica
Society website
Lower Two Calf, Montana by Peter Lesica
Near Gyp Springs, Montana © Peter Lesica
Italian Peaks, Montana © Peter Lesica
Number of IPAs: 19
Morocco covers a total area of 710,850km2 in North-West Africa.
Morocco covers a total area of 710,850km2 in North-West Africa. It lies in a position between Africa and Europe, which has resulted in considerable genetic exchange between these regions. This, together with the great diversity of biotopes in the country has resulted in high species diversity.
The four major mountain ranges – the Rif, the Middle Atlas, the High Atlas, and the Anti- Atlas – form an important part of the relief of Morocco, occupying 15 percent of its land area. The Moroccan climate is classed as Mediterranean and is influenced by both the Atlantic and the Sahara. Precipitation decreases from north to south and from west to east. It is high in the mountain massifs, reaching 2,000mm in the Rif, but less than 150 mm in the pre-Saharan and Saharan regions.
The main vegetation units consist essentially of forest and pre-forest ecosystems, steppes and Saharan ecosystems. The Moroccan flora is particularly rich, with approximately 7,000 species in 920 genera and 130 families, these include an estimated 4,500 species and sub species of vascular plants. There are 951 national endemics (over 20 percent of the vascular plants). The rate of endemism is particularly high in the High Atlas and, to a lesser extent, in the Middle Atlas, the Rif and the Anti-Atlas.
Most of Morocco’s IPAs are located in mountain areas (High, Middle and Saharan Atlas); more than half of them are at elevations above 2,500m and some, like Toubkal and Jbel Mgoun, reach 4,000m. There are two coastal IPAs: Al Hoceima National Park and Maamora. 6 IPAs are included within national parks.
The countries IPAs are characterized by particularly high numbers of national endemics and stenoendemics: there are 16 areas with more than 20 such species. The richest sites for locally endemic species are Ifrane National Park (196), Toubkal National Park (164), Jbel Ayachi (75), and Jbel Bou- Naceur and Jbel Bou Iblane (92). Many of these species are stenoendemics, found only at a single site.
The main threats to Morocco’s IPAs are water stress, exacerbated by drought, overgrazing, climate change, deforestation and habitat fragmentation and isolation.
Find Morocco on pages 22-26
Maamora IPA, Morocco
Beni Snassen IPA, Morocco
Jbel Ayachi IPA, Morocco
Number of IPAs: 13
Tunisia is located in North Africa at the junction of the two basins that make up the Mediterranean, between the Mashreq (the Arab East) and the Maghreb (the Arab West).The majority of IPAs are located in the north of the country. Most are characterized by a subhumid to humid Mediterranean climate. 10 of them have an average elevation below or around 500m, whereas three (Jbel Zaghouan, Jbel Ghorra, Aïn Zana) are in mountainous regions.
Wetland environments are well represented as they make up more than half the IPAs, in the form of permanent lakes (Ichkeul), semi-permanent lakes (Majen Chitane, Majen Choucha, etc.), temporary pools (Garâa Sejenane, Majen el Ma, Sraï el Majen, etc.), marshes (Ichkeul), and peat bogs based on Sphagnum or Osmunda (Kroumirie) or bracken (Dar el Orbi).
The Tunisian IPAs are also representative of the main forest and coastal habitat types of Tunisia. Coastal flora is represented on 3 IPAs; the La Galite Archipelago and the Zembra and Zembretta National Park, both rich in rare species and species endemic to Tunisia or North Africa, and Sidi Ali el Mekki. All 3 are particularly rich in endemics. 6 Tunisian IPAs contain national endemic or stenoendemic plant species.
Half of Tunisia’s IPAs lie fully or partly inside protected areas, namely the three national parks, three Ramsar sites, two biosphere reserves and four natural reserves. Of the 13 IPAs, 6 contain national endemics and 6 have species with restricted ranges, none contain more than 20 national endemics or stenoendemics.
The main threat to Tunisia’s IPAs is overgrazing, followed by climate change (causing wetlands to dry out), the pressure of tourism and leisure activities and fire. Drainage and water extraction are a specific threat to wetland IPAs.
Toujane IPA, Tunisia
Ichkeu IPA, Tunisia
Mejen Chitan Dar El Orbi IPA, Tunisia
Tunisia available on pages 31-35
Number of IPAs:165 (47 in Scotland, 90 in England, 24 in Wales, 4 in Northern Ireland)
IPA area covered: 1.6 million ha
165 IPAs have been identified in the UK – 47 in Scotland, 90 in England, 24 in Wales and 4 in Northern Ireland.
Sitting at the edge of Europe and facing the Atlantic Ocean, the unique climate, geology and landscape of the UK conspire to foster exceptional plant communities. Major habitats, such as grasslands, heathlands, wetlands, woodlands and coasts, help define the biogeographic zone and characterise the countryside.
IPAs cover 1.6 million ha of land, or approximately 7% of the UK. Nearly all of the UK’s IPAs are afforded a degree of statutory protection, at least in part, thanks to the extensive network of protected sites such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). 60% of the UK’s threatened plants and lichens are listed as priorities for conservation.
A key feature in the identification of UK IPAs is the consideration of a wide range of taxonomic groups – with IPAs identified for lichens, bryophytes, marine algae, stoneworts, freshwater algae and vascular plants (including arable plant assemblages). Almost a third (32%) of UK IPAs have lichen features, 29% have bryophyte features and 16% have stonewort features. In total, 38% of UK IPAs have been identified for non-vascular plant features.
This wide taxonomic coverage has been critical to the establishment and acceptance of UK IPAs as a conservation tool, accurately reflecting the true importance of these areas. It provides a focus on often lesser known, understood or studied groups and highlights the diversity and complexity of sites and areas.
The identification of the UK IPA network was a major landmark in the UK for plant diversity, however it has been through subsequent focus and partnership action that IPAs have enabled targeted conservation action. The UK IPA network has influenced agri-environment schemes, the assessment of plant diversity within protected landscapes, and strategies such as National Park Action Plans and site management plans.
UK IPA features, and the threats to them, have provided the catalyst for developing partnerships of landowners and managers to deliver large scale conservation work. For example, the removal of Rhododendron ponticum at a catchment-scale from Atlantic woodland IPAs in Wales, and large scale dune conservation across England and Wales.
An ambitious Plantlife project to revitalise populations of Juniper in Wiltshire and Oxfordshire to prevent Juniper from becoming extinct.
Juniper berries, UK
Braunton Burrows Dunes, Devon, UK
Lichen growing in Dartmoor National Park, UK
Number of IPAs: 18 IPAs have been provisionally designated.
The Soqotra Archipelago is on the World Heritage List
The incredible and unique plant diversity of the Soqotra Archipelago was first systematically studied by Isaac Bayley Balfour in 1880. Then in greater depth and detail by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and other institutes from the mid-1980s onwards. This resulted in current floristic knowledge that recognises 850 vascular plant species of which 340 are endemic in an island system of only ca. 3,600 square kilometres.
Approximately one third of the endemic plant species are threatened based upon recent reassessment using the IUCN Red List criteria, with unique vegetation assemblages rich in endemic taxa identified across the islands. As a result, Soqotra was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008 and is therefore the most famous plant biodiversity “hotspot” in the Arabian Peninsula. The people of Soqotra have long relied upon this diversity for their day-to-day requirements.
While formal protected areas and informal target zones have been identified on Soqotra, the designation of these did not follow any formal criteria, therefore distribution data for plant species and vegetation types was gathered, assessed and aggregated into Important Plant Areas that meet selection criteria across the Archipelago. Areas recognised as species rich and outstanding examples of vegetation types are the foundation of the IPAs described.
18 IPAs have been provisionally designated covering approximately 32% of the Archipelago. All 113 threatened endemic plant species and all unique vegetation types are covered by this IPA network. While a range of pre-existing target areas were compared to proposed IPAs only the latter – with minor adjustments and additions – achieves such coverage of plant and habitat diversity.
While a number of IPAs and included species are threatened on Soqotra – often by uncontrolled development and a lack of environmental planning and enforcement – others are more remote but are clearly suffering from the combined effects of a changing climate and significant changes in traditional land management practices including changes in animal management. Other threats include a lack of tourism infrastructure and the effects of extreme weather events. A number of narrow endemics are extremely rare and occur in specialised niches and are at risk through their rarity alone.
Firminhin IPA, Soqotra
Qatariyah Escarpment IPA, Soqotra
Abd El Kuri Island IPA, Soqotra
Number of IPAs: 33
These IPAs are located throughout the country within each of the nationally recognised Mediterranean bioclimatic divisions: humid, sub-humid, semi arid, arid and Saharan. A large number of sites 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; centres of endemism in Antioch and Amanus; sites capturing EuroSiberian plant species at their southern limit and the best examples of Cedrus libani and Abies cilicica forests (Slenfeh-Jaubet al Berghl), which are threatened across the whole Mediterranean.
Syria is located at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Basin and forms an integral part of the Levant countries. Syrian territory includes 183km of Mediterranean Sea coast, plains, mountain ranges, plateaus and semideserts. Over 60% of the country is a plateau between 200-600m and mountains between 600 and 2000m form the remainder. The climate is Mediterranean with precipitation in the cool seasons of the year, summers are hot and dry.
The Syrian flora includes 3077 species belonging to 133 families and 919 genera, the majority of which are Mediterranean or Irano-Tauranian. The level of local endemism is exceptionally high in Syria. Restricted range endemic species can be found in nearly every IPA. Threatened wetlands are also represented in the Syrian IPA inventory.
7 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.
The most frequent threat to IPAs in Syria is the unsustainable collection of herbs and medicinal plants (affecting 91% of sites), 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.
Research
Syria available on pages 59-64
Euphrates River, Syria
Asi River Mill, Syria
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