University of Isfahan Taxonomy and Biosystematics 3115-9001 14 51 2022 08 23 Investigating the Flora, Life Form, and Medicinal Species in the Central Part of Eastern Kiyar (between Dastgerd Imamzadeh and Shalamzar) in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province بررسی فلور، شکل زیستی و گونه‌های دارویی در بخش مرکزی کیار شرقی (حد فاصل بین دستگرد امام‌زاده و شلمزار) در استان چهارمحال و بختیاری 1 24 27137 10.22108/tbj.2022.134423.1207 EN Fatemeh Amirahmadi MSc. Graduate, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Payam Noor University, Isfahan, Iran Mahdi Yousofi Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Payam Noor University, Isfahan, Iran Seyed Abbas Mirjalili Associate Professor, Imam Khomeini Higher Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2022 07 31 Carrying out scientific activities in various biological, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and industrial fields in a region requires knowledge of and acquaintance with its plants. The study of plant biodiversity in the Central Zagros region is important for various reasons and has recently attracted the attention of researchers. In this study, the flora of a region in Eastern Kiyar, comprising five villages located in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, was investigated. Plant specimens were collected and identified over two vegetative periods, and traits related to the biological form, as well as the vegetative area, condition, and medicinal potential of the species, were determined. The results showed that the flora of this area consists of 269 species belonging to 181 genera and 48 families. The most significant families in terms of species number were Asteraceae (51 species), Fabaceae (24 species), and Brassicaceae (23 species). The largest families in terms of the number of genera were Asteraceae (27 genera), Brassicaceae (17 genera), Poaceae (16 genera), and Lamiaceae (13 genera), respectively. The study of the frequency of vegetative forms using the Raunkiaer method in the region's flora revealed that 47% of the species were hemicryptophytes, 32% were therophytes, 12% geophytes, 6% chamophytes, and 2% phanerophytes. Additionally, 188 species (70%) belonged to the Iran-Turanian vegetation zone. Among the species, 66 were identified as medicinal, and two species were in critical conservation status. Introduction Carrying out scientific activities in various biological, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and industrial fields in a region necessitates knowledge and introduction of the plant collection in that area. The study of plant biodiversity in Central Zagros is significant from various perspectives and has recently captured researchers' attention. Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, due to its location, boasts high plant diversity, and numerous studies have been conducted on its flora and vegetation. However, a comprehensive study has not yet been undertaken in some of its areas. To complete the floristic studies of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, the flora of five villages surrounding the Eastern Kiyar district of this province was investigated. This was done to present a complete list of species, recognize species with medicinal value, review the status of species as rare, endemic, and endangered plants, and determine the biological forms of the species. Materials and Methods In this study, the flora of the central part of Eastern Kiyar, comprising five villages – Gishnizjan, Teshniz, Dezak, Ghalae Salim, and Mousiabad – located in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, was investigated. The region covers an area of approximately 25.5 square kilometers, with an average elevation of 2041.9 meters above sea level. Based on the Ombrothermic diagram of this region, about six months of the year (from mid-May to mid-October) are considered dry, during which the plants in this region face drought conditions. Plant samples were collected and identified over two vegetative periods. Additionally, traits related to the biological form as well as the vegetative area, condition, and medicinal properties of the species were determined using botanical scientific sources, including Flora Iranica and Flora of Iran. Findings Based on the survey conducted in the study area, 269 species belonging to 181 genera and 48 families were identified from 500 plant samples collected. Among these, the families Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, and Poaceae had the highest number of genera, with 27, 17, and 16 genera, respectively. The most significant families in terms of species count were Asteraceae (51 species), Fabaceae (24 species), and Brassicaceae (23 species). Of the species identified in the central part of Eastern Kiyar, 23 species (8.58%) were endemic. Furthermore, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae, each with 5 species, and Asteraceae with 3 species, were the largest endemic families in the region. Out of all plant species identified in the study area, 66 medicinal species (24.5%) belonging to 26 plant families were identified. Lamiaceae, with 13 species (19.4%), and Asteraceae, with 12 medicinal species (17.4%), were the most prominent. Rosaceae and Fabaceae each contributed 4 species (5.7 %). Ranunculaceae, Plantaginaceae, and Malvaceae each had 3 medicinal species (4.3%), Chenopodiaceae contributed 2 species (2.8%), and the remaining families each had one medicinal species. Results and Conclusion The study of the flora in the central part of Eastern Kiyar in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province revealed that this area, similar to other regions of the province, possesses significant species richness. The research identified 269 plant species within an area of approximately 2500 hectares. The dominant vegetative form was found to be hemicryptophytes, primarily belonging to the Iran-Turanian region. Additionally, the study introduced 32 endemic and 66 medicinal species, with two species being at a critical level in terms of conservation status.

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