Plant Diversity of Central Asia

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About the journal

PDCA is an international journal having a geographical focus on Central Asia and devoted to the taxonomy, biogeography and evolution of fungi and plants, including fossils. Plant population and community ecology, plant-animal interactions and conservation biology are also welcome. Descriptive taxonomic papers should normally constitute a comprehensive treatment of a group. Papers on individual species and especially nomenclatural papers must contain significant new information of broad interest.
In addition to this, we have an Open Access Policy

Current issue

Volume 2, Issue 2
August 2023

Latest Articles & Monographs

SHORT COMMUNICATION New identity and neotypification of the mysterious Anethum involucratum (Umbelliferae) from the western Pamir-Alay (Uzbekistan) Authors: Michael G. Pimenov doi: Nun License： Key words:Anethum; Apiaceae; Galagania; Herbaria LE and TASH; Central Asia; Pamir-Alay; typification; Umbelliferae; Uzbekistan Download PDF Preview abstract Abstract Anethum involucratum is the last species of the Umbelliferae in the flora of Uzbekistan which remains taxonomically obscure due to the loss of its type material in Tashkent (TASH) where it should have been stored according to the protologue. A comparative study of descriptions of A. involucratum and species of Galagania was undertaken with a special attention to G. tenuisecta, a widely distributed and common species, with examination of herbarium collections from Kashkadarya viloyat, a type province of A. involucratum and adjacent Samarquand viloyat. This study demonstrated that the described features of both species are almost identical, and A. involucratum is placed in the synonymy of previously described G. tenuisecta. The previously proposed synonymization of A. involucratum with G. neglecta is rejected, and its previously designated neotype is superseded. The genus Anethum is excluded from the native flora of Uzbekistan.
Research Article Plastid genomes of four species of *Iris* from subgenus *Scorpiris* Authors: Elyor A. Ortikov , Mamura B. Kurbonalieva , Kumush B. Alieva, Sabina A. Khudoyberdieva , Temur N. Asatulloev , Ziyoviddin O. Yusupov, Feruza U. Mustafina doi: Nun License： Key words: chloroplast genome, nucleotide divergence, phylogenic markers, phylogeny, Iris Download PDF Preview abstract Abstract The taxonomic complexity of Iris (Iridaceae) is high, and its molecular phylogeny remains largely unknown. With the growing availability of full plastid genomes of species representing major taxonomic groups within Iris, it will become possible to produce a robust phylogenetic tree and reconstruct the evolutionary history of the genus. With this objective in mind, we sequenced and analyzed the chloroplast genomes of four species from subgenus Scorpiris native to Uzbekistan: Iris austrotschatkalica, I. pseudocapnoides, I. victoris and I. hippolyti. The phylogenetic tree obtained agreed well with those produced earlier with a limited number of chloroplast markers. We suggest as the most useful for phylogenetic analyses of Iris the following loci that show high variability and lack of loop structures: atpF/atpH, rps15/ycf1, atpA/atpF, trnL-UAA/trnF-GAA, trnG-UCC/trnR-UCU, and psaA/ycf3.
RESEARCH ARTICLE How to preserve narrow endemics in view of climate change? The Nuratau Mountains as the case Authors: Sergei Volis, Natalya Beshko doi: nun License： Key words:plant conservation, in situ, endemic species richness, climate change, Mountains of Central Asia Biodiversity Hotspot. Download PDF Preview abstract Abstract Endemic species usually have higher risk of extinction than widespread species and therefore for endemics negative effects of climate change can be especially dramatic. The Nuratau Mountains,located in Uzbekistan, are rich in endemic species and are a part of the Mountains of Central Asia Global Biodiversity Hotspot and one of Key Biodiversity Areas. To understand the consequences of climate change for a group of endemic plant species found in this region, we conducted species distribution modelling (SDM) and produced species maps of habitat suitability, as well as maps of predicted endemic species richness under current and expected future climatic conditions. Based the obtained information, we assessed: i) how well the existing protected area in the region (Nuratau Nature Reserve) protects the local endemics and ii) what needs to be done to preserve these species in the face of expected future warming. Among the 27 species studied, 14 appear to be the true narrow endemics as their predicted range is largely or entirely limited to the Nuratau Mountains. The remaining species have a wide predicted range, of which the Nuratau Mountains are only a small part.Only seven species will have suitable habitat within the Nuratau Mountains and only five of them will have suitable habitat in the protected territory of the Nuratau Nature Reserve. For six species, there will be no suitable area throughout the study area. Surprisingly, 13 species will have a suitable habitat in the Kugitang Range, where the Surkhan Nature Reserve is located. We propose as the most appropriate climate change adaptation strategy for these Nuratau endemics to artificially increase their dispersal capacity via in situ introduction trials and the creation of new populations in the Surkhan Nature Reserve.
RESEARCH ARTICLE Conservation strategy and diversity of Tulipa (Liliaceae) in Uzbekistan Authors: Davron Dekhkonov,Temur Asatulloev,Feruz Akbarov,Tojibaeva Umida,Peruzzi Lorenzo, Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev doi: nun License： Key words:conservation, protected area, spatial distribution, Tulipa, in situ, ex situ, civic awareness. Download PDF Preview abstract Abstract In light of the ongoing biodiversity crisis, appropriate conservation strategies are urgently needed. The steadily increasing anthropogenic pressure on nature in Central Asian countries seriously threatens the fate of local species and their habitats. Here, we analyze the threats to the genus Tulipa (Liliaceae) in Uzbekistan and propose an appropriate conservation strategy based on field surveys, observations and literature review. Among the threats evidenced for these species, the most relevant are overgrazing, land use, urbanization, and fragmentation. Analysis of Tulipa distribution in Uzbekistan revealed that 27 species of Tulipa occur in 19 protected areas. Among them, the most important are Ugam-Chatkal State National Natural Park, Chatkal State Biosphere Reserve, Hissar and Surkhan State Nature Reserves, harboring 10, 9, 9 and 8 species respectively. However, 8 species (of which five species are red-listed) occur in unprotected areas. In addition to the two major conservation approaches, in situ and ex situ, civic awareness is proposed as a third important conservation component. Besides, home garden conservation is proposed as an effective tool for conservation of Tulipa that requires support from the government.
RESEARCH ARTICLE Conservation of Central Asian plant biodiversity Authors: Sergei Volis doi: Nun License： Key words:endangered plants, in situ, ex situ, quasi in situ, conservation guidelines, nature reserves, protected areas. Download PDF Preview abstract Abstract The severely threatened Central Asian (CA) flora requires a detailed conservation strategy well adapted to this region. The present review provides a detailed conservation methodology useful for every CA country that embraces ex situ and in situ approaches as inter-linked components. The proposed strategy includes the following major points: i) conservation planning gives the highest priority to the most endangered local endemics with regeneration problems; ii) these species are the focus in reserve design, monitoring and assessment of efficiency of a reserve network, and in creation of seed banks and living collections; iii) the species recovery plans include an ex situ component to maintain the endangered species germplasm, an in situ component to maintain natural populations, and a quasi in situ component to link them so as to obtain large quantities of planting material to be used in recovery actions, such as reinforcement and translocation; and iv) assessment of success in species recovery programs based on clearly specified objectives and criteria necessarily including evidence of regeneration in natural populations. Successful adoption and implementation of this strategy in CA requires stricter protection of nature reserves and national parks than is currently done and tighter coordination in development and implementation of the conservation plans between scientists from the five CA countries.