Floristic study of steppe parts of Lissar protected area (N Iran)

The steppe parts of Lissar protected area is located in the North Western part of Talesh mountain range, with an area around 13,500 hectares. The area is influenced by a humid Caspian climate at the Eastern slope and a cold mountain Irano-Turanian-like climate at the Western slope causing the formation of diverse vegetation types. Based on a collection of about 1,250 specimens during 2007–08, a total number of 542 vascular plant species were identified from this area belonging to 270 genera and 64 families. The largest families in the area are Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae. The most diverse genera include Astragalus, Silene and Potentilla. Dominant life forms include hemicryphtophytes (51%), followed by therophytes and chamaephytes with 34% and 12%, respectively. Endemic species and genera of Iran and conservation class of plant species in the studied region were determined using several related Flora books and on the basis of IUCN classification and Red Data Book of Iran. The chorological study shows that the most extended chorotype with 41% is related to the Irano-Turanian floristic region.