The cascading failure of check dam systems during the 28 July 2022 Emamzadeh Davood flood in Iran

On July 18, 2022, an unexpected rainfall and flash flood struck the Emamzadeh Davood village in northwestern Tehran, the capital city of Iran, claiming the life of at least 23 people. In this brief communication, we report results from a recent investigation carried out by field surveys and remote sensing data, highlighting the role of anthropogenic factors and catastrophic failures in a series of check dams in intensifying the impacts of the 2022 Emamzadeh Davood event

A taxonomic backbone for the global synthesis of species diversity in the angiosperm order Caryophyllales

The Caryophyllales constitute a major lineage of flowering plants with approximately 12500 species in 39 families. A taxonomic backbone at the genus level is provided that reflects the current state of knowledge and accepts 749 genera for the order. A detailed review of the literature of the past two decades shows that enormous progress has been made in understanding overall phylogenetic relationships in Caryophyllales. The process of re-circumscribing families in order to be monophyletic appears to be largely complete and has led to the recognition of eight new families (Anacampserotaceae, Kewaceae, Limeaceae, Lophiocarpaceae, Macarthuriaceae, Microteaceae, Montiaceae and Talinaceae), while the phylogenetic evaluation of generic concepts is still well underway. As a result of this, the number of genera has increased by more than ten percent in comparison to the last complete treatments in the Families and genera of vascular plants” series. A checklist with all currently accepted genus names in Caryophyllales, as well as nomenclatural references, type names and synonymy is presented. Notes indicate how extensively the respective genera have been studied in a phylogenetic context. The most diverse families at the generic level are Cactaceae and Aizoaceae, but 28 families comprise only one to six genera. This synopsis represents a first step towards the aim of creating a global synthesis of the species diversity in the angiosperm order Caryophyllales integrating the work of numerous specialists around the world

A new species and a synonym in Chenopodiaceae from Iran

Volume: 3Start Page: 5End Page: 1

The relationship and different C4 Kranz anatomy of Bassia eriantha and Bassia eriophora, two often confused Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Sindian species

Akhani, Hossein, Khoshravesh, Roxana (2013): The relationship and different C Kranz anatomy of Bassia eriantha and Bassia eriophora, two often confused Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Sindian species. Phytotaxa 93 (1): 1-24, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.93.1.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.93.1.

The genus Heliotropium L. (Boraginaceae) in Flora Iranica Area

Volume: 2Start Page: 187End Page: 27

Pollen morphology of the subfamily Salicornioideae (Chenopodiaceae s.s.) in Eurasia and North Africa

International audiencePollen morphology of 40 specimens of 15 species belonging to eight genera in the subfamily Salicornioideae (Chenopodiaceae), was studied using Light (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the taxonomic importance of pollen characters. Pollen grains were characteristically pantopolyporate with31-51 evenly distributed pores on the surface. Tectum and operculum are covered with minute spinules, typical of other members of Chenopodiaceae, with minor differences among different genera and species. Perforation was only seen in Halostachys belangeriana at high magnification. Pollen characters studied in this study include pollen and pore diameters, number and density of apertures, interporal distance (chord), chord/pollen diameter ratio, pore diameter/pollen diameter ratio as well as spinule density on tectum and operculum. Despite extreme uniformity in pollen morphology there is good evidence supporting currently known phylogenetic relationships and generic delimitations within the Salicornioideae subfamily. The significant differences in pollen characters among populations of Halostachys belangeriana and Halocnemum strobilaceum may indicate genetic diversity or polyploidy in different populations. The pollen characters provide limited taxonomic value in the Salicornioideae subfamily which may come from habitat homogeneity of all species growing in hypersaline marshes and inland hygrohalophytic communities

A review of plant diversity, vegetation, and phytogeography of the Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province in the Irano-Turanian region (northeastern Iran–southern Turkmenistan)

The Khorassan-Kopet Dagh (KK) floristic province is located in the northeastern parts of Iran and partly in southern Turkmenistan. The area is a transition zone and a corridor connecting different provinces of the Irano-Turanian region and also Hyrcanian montane forests of the Euro-Siberian region. The unique combination of Irano-Turanian species and also presence of a local center of endemism are evidence of a separate biogeographic entity. The complicated topography, high habitat heterogeneity and vegetation history are reasons for the development of diverse vegetation types. In order to achieve up-to-date information on the plant diversity and distribution patterns, a database was prepared using all floristic records from the area defined as KK. A total of 2576 species/infraspecific taxa belonging to 702 genera and 112 families of vascular plants have been reported from the area, 2498 of which occur within Iran. Altogether, 28 different distribution patterns are recognized among five major phytogeographical groups, including widespread, tri-regional, bi-regional, Euro-Siberian and Irano-Turanian patterns. Irano-Turanian elements, which make up the core flora of KK, are subdivided further into 14 distribution patterns. A significant number of species, i.e. 356 species (13.8%), are endemic to the area. The flora of KK is highly influenced by central Irano-Turanian elements. The main vegetation types of the area include Juniperus woodlands, Pistacia vera woodlands, some isolated enclaves of Hyrcanian forests and scrub, cliff vegetation, mountain steppe communities, semi-desert steppes, loess and marl vegetation, halophytic vegetation, aquatic and hygrophilous communities, and ruderal/invasive plant communities. There are several major threats to the ecosystems and biodiversity of the area. The areas presently protected do not cover all of the vegetation types, and therefore many threatened species are not safe.</jats:p