﻿Important plant areas (IPAs) in the Fergana Valley (Central Asia): The Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa massif

Abdulla Iskandarov

Surkhondaryo province is one of the largest and richest in vascular plant species diversity administrative units of Uzbekistan, which also has an extremely high concentration of species endemic to Mountainous Central Asia and Uzbekistan in particular. A characteristic geological feature of this area is the wide spread of variegated outcrops formed during the Cretaceous and partly Paleogene age. Using the botanical-geographical zonation of Uzbekistan and 5x5 km grid cells, we analyzed the distribution of 63 Surkhondaryo province endemics to identify the hotspots of endemic species richness. The Boysun phytogeographic region, located in the southwest spurs of the Hissar ridge, had the largest number of species-rich grid cells. The Surkhon-Sherobod and Bobotog phytogeographic regions, located mainly in the piedmonts, foothills and low mountain belt of the Kugitang and Bobotog mountains, turned out to be poor in endemic species. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy of 63 provincial endemic species were estimated for the first time. Based on the analysis of available data and long-term field observations, the extinction of one of the narrow endemics of the Surkhondaryo province-Dipcadi turkestanicum Vved. appears to be a sad reality.

The aim of this review is to analyze the data published on Kazakhstan's endemic species in different botanical issues. In the Kazakhstan flora there are 775-710 endemic species (some of which are now defined as subendemics). The rate of endemism in the territory is relatively low and estimated at approximately 12% of total species. However, endemics are not evenly distributed throughout the country's territory. Kazakhstan's floristic subprovinces (botanical-geographic regionalization by Takhtadzhian 1978) have a significantly different amount of endemics; some of them include only 10-15 endemic species while others contribute up to 150 species, including endemic species growing in two or more floristic subprovinces. The number of endemics found in only the floristic subprovinces account for more than 60% of the total number of Karatau endemics, almost 50% in each Zailisky Alatau and Jungar Alatau, ~40% in Western Tien-Shan, and ~30% in Tarbagatai (all mountain zones), ~40% in Betpak Dala, and ~30% in each Balkhash-Alacol and Chu-Ili Mountains (desert zones). Although a considerable number of endemic species occur in the mountainous floristic subprovinces and their neighboring subprovinces, most endemic species inhabit dry, hot locations, even in the mountains on rocky dry steppes or deserted slopes, conical shaped hills and piedmonts. The current safety of Kazakhstan endemics is discussed in relation to habitat destruction.

Rahmonov O., Majgier L., Andrejczuk W., Banaszek J., Karkosz D., Parusel T., Szymczyk A.: Landscape diversity and biodiversity of Fann Mountains (Tajikistan). Ekologia (Bratislava), Vol. 32, No. 4, p. 388-395, 2013.The aim of study is a presentation of main vegetation landscape diversity and biodiversity in case of endemic species in the Fann Mountains area, in horizontal and vertical approach. In terms of biodiversity, the high-mountain ecosystems of Central Asia include the most valuable areas in the world called as hotspot, and also are exposed to intense human pressure causing the destruction of habitats. Vegetation landscapes of Fann Mountains are very diverse because of high-mountain character of this area, local climatic conditions, topography and habitats. That differentiation leads up to biodiversity and formation of unique plant landscapes and endemic species. The vegetation landscapes in altitude order are represented by forbs meadow steppe, thymes, swamp, broad-leaf fore...

A peer-reviewed open-access journal Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) doi: 10.3897/natureconservation.51.94477 RESEARCH ARTICLE https://natureconservation.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity conservation Important plant areas (IPAs) in the Fergana Valley (Central Asia): The Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa massif Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev1, Farkhod I. Karimov1, Hushbaht R. Hoshimov2, Rustam Gulomov2, Georgy A. Lazkov3, Chang-Gee Jang4, Hee-Young Gil5, Ju-Eun Jang5, Avazbek R. Batoshov2, Abdulla Iskandarov6,7,8, Hyeok Jae Choi8 1 National Herbarium of Uzbekistan, Institute of Botany of Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Durmon yuli str., 32, 100125, Tashkent, Uzbekistan 2 Namangan State University, Uychi str., 316, 160119, Namangan, Uzbekistan 3 Institute for Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Bishkek 720071, Kyrgyzstan 4 Department of Biology Education, Kongju National University, Gongju 32588, Republic of Korea 5 Department of Forest Biodiversity and Herbarium, Korea National Arboretum, Pocheon 11186, Republic of Korea 6 Khorezm Mamun Academy, Markaz-1, 220900, Khiva, Uzbekistan 7 Urgench State University, Kh.Alimdjan str., 14, 220100, Urgench, Uzbekistan 8 Department of Biology and Chemistry, Changwon National University, Changwon 51140, Republic of Korea Corresponding author: Hyeok Jae Choi (hjchoi1975@changwon.ac.kr) Academic editor: A. Khapugin | Received 5 September 2022 | Accepted 7 December 2022 | Published 30 January 2023 https://zoobank.org/7ED77F85-94BA-443B-96AD-4784271D1645 Citation: Tojibaev KS, Karimov FI, Hoshimov HR, Gulomov R, Lazkov GA, Jang C-G, Gil H-Y, Jang J-E, Batoshov AR, Iskandarov A, Choi HJ (2023) Important plant areas (IPAs) in the Fergana Valley (Central Asia): The Bozbu-TooUngortepa massif. Nature Conservation 51: 13–70. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.51.94477 Abstract This paper discusses identifying Important Plant Areas (IPAs) in one of the most densely populated regions of Central Asia—the Fergana valley. The recognition of IPA sites is an attempt to introduce new ways of conserving local plant diversity with a high concentration of endemic species in Central Asia, where conservation methods of the former Soviet Union still prevail. The research revealed the current state and geography of many rare species and enriched the flora of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan with several rare species. The second IPA is the transboundary territory of the Fergana valley, uniting the southern spurs of the Chatkal range and the Ungortepa-BozbuToo massif. We documented the distribution of 62 species in the IPAs under the sub-criteria of Plantlife International. Our study aimed at continuing studies on the IPAs in this region, addressing specific conservation challenges, such as conserving national endemics and endangered species that grow outside protected areas and GIS mapping of endemic species. Keywords Central Asia, endemic plants, Fergana Valley, important plant areas Copyright Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. 14 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Introduction Biodiversity hotspots represent regions with high species richness and centers of endemic species and are generally considered priority conservation regions. They provide a good natural laboratory for conducting studies testing the relationship between extinction risk and evolutionary history (Fu et al. 2022). As a rule, most biodiversity hotspots are covered by a network of protected areas. Globally, protected areas have been increasing significantly over the last few decades. However, the existing global network covers less than 20% of areas important for biodiversity and ecosystem services (Maxwell et al. 2022). It does not offer a sufficient contribution to the representativeness of these areas (Signorello et al. 2018). In many ways, representativeness is not achieved in poorly studied regions of the world. The Mountains of Central Asia are an important global biodiversity hotspot (Myers et al. 2000) but a botanically poorly-known part of Asia (Manafzadeh et al. 2016; Li et al. 2020). The situation is even worse for the individual regions because dozens of botanical-geographic regions do not have flora lists pertaining to 50–60 years ago. Poor representation is a common problem for Central Asian species, with data often lacking (Wilson et al. 2021). However, many taxonomy, geobotany, and plant ecology studies were carried out (Tojibaev et al. 2020). One such region is the Fergana valley (FV)— the vast depression between the Tian-Shan and Pamir-Alay Mountain systems, mainly in eastern Uzbekistan and partly in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. In the previous stages of the study, we attempted to identify important plant areas (IPAs) in the FV, one of the most densely human-populated regions in Central Asia with a diverse array of endemic and endangered species. The badlands of the Chust-Pap adyrs (foothills) with a high concentration of endemic species of the western Tian-Shan were chosen as the first IPA of the FV. An overview of international references on IPA research in various countries was given in the first phase of IPA research (Tojibaev et al. 2022). Identifying species diversity and distribution is key to the protection and prevention of biodiversity loss at both global and local scales, because robust data are paramount for well-informed decisions on policy, conservation, and species management (Dani Sanchez et al. 2021). IPAs consider species distribution and botanical richness and prioritize plants and habitats that are under threat, by identifying a network of key sites for their conservation (https://www.plantlife.org.uk/international). The guidelines developed by Plantlife for Europe (Anderson 2002) have been tested and implemented in many countries over the past two decades (https://www.plantlifeipa.org/ about). Based on this, each new IPA study should comply with accepted standards and subsequently be included in the Plantlife IPA database (www.plantlifeipa.org/home). This work continues the identification of the IPA sites in FV, Central Asia. The second IPA site in the FV is located between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, in the southern part of the Chatkal Range. Two areas are clearly distinguished here. These are (a) the Bozbu-Too mountains (Kyrgyzstan) and (b) the lower reaches of the Mailisay river basin and the Ungortepa massif (Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan). Based on this, the second IPA site in FV has been named the Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa massif. According to the adminis- Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 15 trative zoning, the study area is located in the Chartak district of the Namangan region of Uzbekistan and the Aksy district of the Jalal-Abad region of Kyrgyzstan. Phytogeographically, the IPA site belongs to the South Chatkal district of the Fergana region, Mountainous Central Asian province (Tojibaev et al. 2016, 2017). The core flora of the area, mainly consisting of Mediterranean and Iran-Turanian elements, is heavily influenced by widely distributed species. The South Chatkal district is the southern habitat for some Tian-Shan and western Tian-Shan species, including Tulipa bifloriformis Vved., Fritillaria sewerzowii Regel, Ferula tenuisecta Korovin, and Ferula prangifolia Korovin. The Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa massif and the adjacent Mailisay river basin of the Chatkal Range are poorly studied areas of the FV. The first detailed field studies were carried out in the middle of the last century (1949–1953) when the Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan organized expeditions to study industrial reserves of rubber plants under the local name tau-sagyz. In 1949, during a route-geobotanical survey of the FV, large thickets of a rubber-bearing taxonomically unknown representative of the genus Scorzonera L. were found (Nabiev 1954). In 1950, this species was described as Scorzonera uzbekistanica Czevr. & Bondarenko (Chevrenidi and Bondarenko 1950). A national approach to global conservation priorities In Central Asia countries, the realization of IPAs programs, including the identification process, data accumulation, and GIS mapping of species across IPA criteria, is in dynamic development (Tojibaev et al. 2022). In many ways, all countries in Central Asia inherited the Soviet (in some places modernized) system of nature conservation practice. National biodiversity strategies and protected area management are very similar and the main approaches to the development of plants conservation strategies and their implementation remain. The first attempts to identify such IPA sites have been made (Dimeyeva and Vesselova 2015; Tojibaev et al. 2022). The results of the first phase of IPA research created a solid methodological basis. It is already becoming clear that the national IPA programs make it possible to use a pragmatic and proven approach to national plant conservation in local conservation practice. This program can complement other initiatives such as national biodiversity strategies and protected area management. Most importantly, regional data from Central Asia can be integrated into the global IPA network. Materials and methods Study area The FV is an intermountain trough covering an area of about 22 000 km2. Including the surrounding mountains, it covers up to 80 000 km2 and is located 16 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan (Tojibaev et al. 2018a). The length of the valley is about 250–300 km. The width of the FV reaches 130 km and narrows to 5–10 km in the west. In the east, the valley is bordered by the Fergana Range (Kyrgyzstan), by the Alay (Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan) and Turkestan ranges (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) in the south, and the Chatkal (Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan) and Kurama ranges (Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) in the north. Quaternary deposits (pebble, crushed stone, sand, loam, sandy loam, and clay) compose the plains and fill intermontane, post-, and inter-adyr depressions. The surface of the FV, especially in its central part, is flat and represents the ancient terraces of the Syr Darya River (up to four terraces) and numerous alluvial cones (Naumenko and Zubov 2021). The botanical significance of Central Asia in terms of global plant diversity and the use of this phrase concerning a specific geographical area were discussed in a previous publication (Tojibaev et al. 2022). The study area is north of the Syr Darya River on the southern slopes of Chatkal Range. Tashkumyr town (Kyrgyzstan) is the eastern, and Kerben town (Kyrgyzstan) the western border. The southern border runs along the meridian of Yangikurgan and Uchkurgan towns (Uzbekistan), and further north along Avletim (Kyrgyzstan). The IPA site was located between 41°25'9.44"N, 71°41'31.76"E and 41°27'23.85"N, 72°10'53.88"E, with an altitude range from 550 to 2860 m above sea level. The site is 48–56 km long and 30–42 km wide (Fig. 1). Figure 1. Study area. The Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa massif. Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 17 Climate and geomorphology The climate of the IPA site and its surroundings is dry and warm. As no precise climatic data are available for this IPA site, extrapolations have been made based upon the average data for Namangan weather stations and using the environmental lapse rate (6 °C/1000 m). The annual rainfall in the lower zone (500–800 m) varies from 170–280 mm, and from 350–400 mm in the upper zone (1200–1500 m). The average temperature is 2–5 °C in January, and 27–28 °C and 7–10 °C in the upper part in July. The average annual temperature is 13.2 °C, and the lowest is 4 °C. The absolute minimum fluctuates around -20 °C. Rainfall occurs in spring and autumn-winter. There are two contrasting periods: spring (until the end of May) with green vegetation and summer when most of the vegetation burns out and the vegetation is a shade of yellow (Nabiev 1954). The study area occupies two lower geomorphological stages—the foothills and the low mountains of South Chatkal. The variegated geological structure of the surface and the intense runoff characteristic of the region, causing erosion of slopes, have a significant effect on soil formation and the soil cover structure. For this reason, the predominant part of the site is devoid of a characteristic soil cover due to the vigorous erosion of the surface. This is one of the main factors affecting the formation of vegetation cover (Nabiev 1954). Data collection In the Uzbekistan part, the first field studies to identify the IPA were in 2013–2014 by Tojibaev`s team but were stopped due to lack of funding. In Kyrgyzstan, the first field studies of the authors (G.A. Lazkov) began in the 1990s. However, targeted research under the IPA program was carried out only in 2020–2022. From the IPA surveys both in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, Lazkov`s and Tojibaev`s team field records, literature data from Nabiev (1954), Vernik and Rakhimova (1982), and herbarium collections data (mainly in TASH, FRU, LE, MW; Thiers 2022), a total of 1275 vascular plant species have been recorded in the IPA site. Taxonomy Taxonomic identification was based on Flora of Uzbekistan (1941–1963), Flora of Kyrgyzstan (1952–1965), Conspectus Florae Asiae Media (1969–1993), a taxonomic revision of some families of the flora of Kyrgyzstan (Pimenov and Kljuykov 2002; Lazkov 2006a), the newly published first four volumes of the new Flora of Uzbekistan (Sennikov 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022), the recently published data on Apiaceae (Tojibaev et al. 2020), Tulipa (Tojibaev and Beshko 2014), and the checklist of the Flora of Tian-Shan mountains (Tojibaev et al. 2020). The nomenclature of each taxon followed Plants of the World Online (POWO) http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org), and International Plant Name Index (IPNI) www.ipni.org). 18 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Site selection Species and habitats were selected according to the proposed IPA criteria. The IPA site selection methodology fits the European IPA criteria set out in the IPA site selection manual and their modifications published in authoritative publications (Anderson 2002; Blasi et al. 2011; Darbyshire et al. 2017), the main of which are: 1. The IPA site satisfies either criterion A, B, C, or any combination of these. 2. Previously tested approaches in the conditions of mountainous Central Asia were applied, which makes it possible to ensure the creation of a regional network. 3. The IPA site contains those conditions necessary to ensure the long-term viability of the species or intraspecific taxa. Also, the selected IPA site contains multiple qualifying species to focus conservation action at the national and transboundary levels. We used only selected vascular plants and habitats and existing data on their distribution on a national and regional scale. This is because, as in Kyrgyzstan, there is currently no classification of habitats, especially critical habitats, in Uzbekistan. Moreover, the studied area is typical for the south of mountainous Central Asia. The boundaries of the Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa IPA site are broadly in line with the regional assessment of KBAs (Key Biodiversity Areas) in Central Asia (CEPF 2017). Biodiversity hotspots N°11 (Karatag Mountains), N°12 (Ungortepa), and N°05 of the contours (Aflatun-Padshaata) from the final report “Biodiversity hotspots in the mountainous region of Central Asia” are included in the Bozbu-TooUngortepa IPA. Existing conservation threats were estimated based on field observations and analysis of the available literature data (Davletkeldiev 2006; Khassanov 2019; Eastwood et al. 2009). Results Criterion A (threatened species) According to the generally accepted formulation, IPA sites with criterion A should hold significant populations of one or more species of global or regional conservation concern (Anderson 2002). After modifying IPA methodology as proposed by the authors in the previous stages of the IPA research in Central Asia (Tojibaev et al. 2022), 62 vascular plant species were recognized as belonging to criterion A. Following the national requirements, we also listed national and regional species of interest (Table 1). Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 19 Table 1. The list of selected species including the criterion A of the Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa massif with IPA sub-criteria, IUCN Conservation status, general distribution and preserved herbaria. No Accepted species name IPA category Ai Conservation status (IUCN) Red Data EOO km2 AOO km2 Category Book Not evaluated VU KG A2acde 1,685,141.644 248 LC+EN UZ Preserved Herbaria 1 Malus sieversii (Ledeb.) M.Roem. TASH, FRU, TAD, MW, AA TASH, FRU, TAD, MW, AA KG TASH, FRU UZ TASH, FRU UZ TASH, FRU, MW KG TASH, FRU KG, UZ TASH, FRU KG, UZ TASH, FRU, MW KG TASH, FRU, TAD, MW, AA UZ TASH, FRU, MW KG TASH, FRU, MW, AA KG TASH, FRU, TAD, MW, AA KG TASH, FRU, MW 2 Acanthophyllum pungens (Bunge) Boiss. Aii 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Allium dodecadontum Vved. Allium viridiflorum Pobed. Anthochlamys tjanschanica Iljin ex Aellen Crataegus knorringiana Pojark. Delphinium knorringianum B.Fedtsch. Dorema microcarpum Korovin Eminium regelii Vved. Aii Aii Aii Aii Aii Aii Aii 19,569.468 133.707 21,576.049 19,859.660 23,231.587 21,800.193 95,605.497 92 16 136 52 24 46 80 VU+EN EN NT+EN EN NT+EN NT+EN LC+EN 10 Gamanthus ferganicus Iljin 11 Iris kolpakowskiana Regel 12 Hedlundia persica (Hedl.) Mezhenskyj Aii Aii Aii 15,513.182 126,385.582 851,107.371 136 96 144 VU+EN LC+EN LC+EN 13 Lamyropappus schakaptaricus (B. Fedtsch.) Knorring & Tamamsch. 14 Oreosalsola drobovii (Botsch.) Akhani Aii 4,166.438 108 EN Aii 34,390.040 80 NT+EN TJ, UZ 15 Seseli eryngioides (Korovin) Pimenov et V.N.Tikhom. 16 Tulipa ferganica Vved 17 Allium tatyanae F.O.Khass. & F.Karimov 18 Astragalus allotricholobus Nabiev 19 Corydalis bosbutooënsis Lazkov 20 Gagea spelaea Levichev et Lazkov 21 Iris austrotschatkalica Tojibaev, F. Karim. et Turgunov 22 Acantholimon nabievii Lincz. 23 Allium arkitense R.M. Fritsch 24 Allium gracillimum Vved 25 Allium haneltii F.O. Khass. & R.M. Fritsch 26 Allium oreoscordum Vved. 27 Allium pseudopskemense ined. 28 Astragalus bosbutooënsis Nikitina et Sudn. 29 Astragalus melanocomus Popov 30 Astragalus pseudodianthus Nabiev 31 Astragalus spryginii Popov 32 Cousinia knorringiae Bornmuller 33 Cousinia krauseana Regel & Schmalh. 34 Echinops knorringianus Iljin 35 Eremurus czatkalicus Lazkov 36 Ferula incisoserrata Pimenov et J. Baranova 37 Fritillaria rugillosa Naumenko & Zubov 38 Hedysarum gypsaceum Korotkova 39 Hedysarum turkestanicum Regel et Schmalh. 40 Hyalolaena intermedia Pimenov & Kljuykov 41 Iris narynensis O. Fedtsch. 42 Limonium ferganense IIkonn.-Gal. 43 Oxytropis gymnogyne Bunge Aii 1,190.623 20 EN KG TASH, FRU, TAD, MW, AA, FRU, MW Aii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii 36,709.666 13,360 316,899 3,040 3,786 0 156 8 24 8 8 8 NT+EN CR EN CR CR CR UZ – – – – – TASH, FRU, MW TASH TASH, FRU, MW TASH, FRU FRU TASH Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii 2,039.723 1 124,205 9 463,085 865,233 19 763,085 2523 356,940 827,190 1169,459 4442,536 775,616 37 072,599 8,933.847 3,153,563 749,070 4,885,728 1,956.487 15 611,335 2,969,10 2 735,900 5 203,680 14,138.749 48 20 28 36 36 16 20 12 32 20 32 36 40 32 16 32 28 32 24 28 12 120 EN EN VU+EN EN VU+EN EN EN EN EN EN EN NT+EN VU+EN EN EN EN EN VU+EN EN EN VU+EN VU+EN – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – TASH, FRU, MW TASH, FRU TASH, FRU, TAD MW TASH TASH, FRU, MW FRU TASH, FRU LE, MW TASH, FRU TASH, FRU, MW TASH, FRU TASH, FRU, MW TASH, FRU, MW TASH, FRU, MW TASH, FRU, MW TASH, FRU TASH, FRU, MW TASH, FRU, MW TASH, FRU TASH, FRU, MW TASH, FRU, MW TASH, FRU, TAD MW 20 No Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Accepted species name Conservation status (IUCN) Red Data EOO km2 AOO km2 Category Book 1,810.229 24 EN – 2,605.687 40 EN – Preserved Herbaria Aiii 43,650.470 24 NT – TASH, FRU, MW Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii 176.445 1,810,209 2948,074 893.356 32 24 28 20 EN EN EN EN – – – – 51 Seseli unicaule (Korovin) Pimenov Aiii 16 472,343 32 VU+EN – 52 Tanacetopsis ferganensis (Kovalevsk.) Kovalevsk. 53 Allium minutum Vved. 54 Astragalus syreitschikovii Pavlov 55 Fritillaria sewerzowii Regel 56 Jurinea winkleri Iljin 57 Leibnitzia knorringiana (B. Fedtsch.) Pobed. 58 Lagochilus knorringianus var. drobovii (Kamelin & Tzukerv.) Lazkov 59 Polycnemum perenne Litv. 60 Pseudosedum ferganense Boriss. 61 Tulipa bifloriformis Vved. Aiii 5,310.020 24 VU+EN – TASH, FRU FRU, MW FRU, MW LE, MW, AA, TASH, FRU, TAD LE, TASH, FRU, WILR, MW FRU, MW Aiv Aiv Aiv Aiv Aiv Aiv 10,420.306 95,139.963 39,522.829 6,661.322 8,443.694 32,447.798 20 68 116 108 40 60 VU+EN LC+EN NT+EN VU+EN VU+EN NT+EN TJ – – – – – LE, TASH, FRU, TAD MW, AA, TASH, FRU TASH, FRU, AA, MW TASH, MW FRU, MW TASH, FRU, AA, MW Aiv Aiv Aiv 32,249.538 27,595.830 15,621.720 152 100 164 NT+EN NT+EN VU+EN – – TJ 62 Takhtajaniantha tau-saghyz (Lipsch. & G.G.Bosse) Zaika, Sukhor. & N.Kilian. Aiv 28,713.924 28 NT+EN – TASH, FRU, AA, MW LE, MW, TASH, FRU TASH, FRU, MW, TAD TASH, FRU, AA, MW 44 Phlomoides adylovii Lazkov 45 Phlomoides kirghisorum Adylov, Kamelin & Makhm. 46 Phlomoides alaica (Popov) Adylov, Kamelin & Makhm. 47 Phlomoides urodonta (Popov) Adylov et al. 48 Scutellaria xanthosiphon Juz. 49 Silene fetissovii Lazkov 50 Seseli giganteum Lipsky IPA category Aiii Aiii FRU TASH, FRU Category Ai This category includes globally threatened species. In the Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa IPA site, only one species was described as category Ai. Malus sieversii (Ledeb.) M.Roem., Fam. Nat. Syn. Monogr. 3: 216 (1847) = Malus kirghisorum Al.Fed. & Fed., Trudy Yuzhno-Kirgizsk. Eksped. 1: 220 (1949). Note. Malus sieversii is grown and consumed worldwide, and there is increasing interest in the crop’s evolutionary history and in variety improvement for traits such as fruit characteristics, disease resistance, and stress tolerance (Gross et al. 2012). The species is still found in the fragmented fruit and nut forests of Central Asia and is threatened by habitat degradation, mainly from agricultural development and overgrazing (Eastwood et al. 2009). In Central Asia, this species is considered vulnerable, meaning it is threatened with extinction in the wild according to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria (IUCN 2021). Threats include loss and degradation of habitat because of agricultural expansion and development, genetic erosion (grafting of commercial varieties and hybridization), and over-grazing. Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 21 Existing Conservation Threats. Over-collection for firewood. General distribution. Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Xinjiang. Distribution in FV. All mountain ranges of the FV. Category Aii Fifteen species were described in category Aii. All species listed in sub-criterion Aii are included as threatened species in the Red Data Books of Kyrgyzstan (Davletkeldiev 2006) and Uzbekistan (Khassanov 2019). Our definition of sub-criterion Aii agrees with the formulation by Darbyshire et al. (2017), according to which the site must consist of species of IUCN Regional Red List or another regionally approved peer-reviewed threat list. Acanthophyllum pungens (Bunge) Boiss., Fl. Orient. 1: 561 (1867) Figs 2A, 3A = Acanthophyllum albidum Schischk., V.L. Komarov (ed.), Fl. URSS 6: 893 (1936). Note. This polymorphic species is widespread in Central Asia (Lazkov 2006a). Several species were described based on variations of this species, which were later recognized as synonyms of A. pungens (Bondarenko 1972; Lazkov 2006a; Lazkov and Sultanova 2014). These “small species” which were later recognized as synonyms, including A. albidum Schischk., are of conservation interest. The last taxa were described by Schischkin (1936) from Central FV (Margelan, Kosch-Karchi). These plants are distinguished by white tepals and small inflorescences (up to 15 mm) and, as a rare endemic of FV, were listed in the Red Data Book of Uzbekistan (Khassanov 2019). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation. General distribution. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, North Caucasus, Tajikistan, Transcaucasus, Uzbekistan, Xinjiang. Distribution in FV. Foothills and lower mountains of FV. Allium dodecadontum Vved. in Opred. Rast. Sred. Azii 2: 316 (1971) Figs 2B, 3B Note. The species is a member of a small cluster (Alay-Fergana Geographical clade sect. Acmopetala sensu Fritsch et al. 2010) and comprises five species occurring in western Tian-Shan: partly in Kyrgyzstan, partly in Uzbekistan (Fritsch et al. 2010; Fritsch and Khassanov 2008). Together with A. schachimardanicum Vved. (endemic of the middle and upper belts of the Alay Range), A. dodecadontum is rec- 22 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Figure 2. The wild habitat of some plants in FV A Acanthophyllum pungens B Allium dodecadontum C Allium viridiflorum D Lamyropappus schakaptaricus E Delphinium knorringianum F Iris kolpakowskiana G Seseli eryngioides H Hedlundia persica I Tulipa ferganica J Eminium regelii. ognized as the most basal species of the cluster and is considered strictly endemic to Chatkal Range. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Mid-mountain belt of the Chatkal Range. Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 23 Figure 3. Distribution map of the species of sub-criterion Aii, based on GeoCAT A Acanthophyllum pungens B Allium dodecadontum C Allium viridiflorum D Anthochlamys tjanschanica E Crataegus knorringiana F Dorema microcarpum G Delphinium knorringianum H Eminium regelii. Allium viridiflorum Pobed. in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 11: 64 (1949) Figs 2C, 3C Note. This species is a representative of the bi-type Allium ser. Verticillata Tzag., which have whorled leaves (Fritsch 2016). A. viridiflorum differs from A. verticillatum Regel, the type species of the section, by the greenish color of tepals that are nine times longer than the pedicels, short stamens, ecological preference, and geographical distribution (Tojibaev et al. 2014b). A. viridiflorum was previously considered a local endemic of Arkit, Chatkal range, Kyrgyzstan (Lazkov and Sultanova 2014). A new species population was found in the Uzbekistan part of this IPA site (Tojibaev et al. 2014b). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Low and mid-mountain belt of the Chatkal Range. 24 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Anthochlamys tjanschanica Iljin ex Aellen in Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel 61: 170 (1950) Fig. 3D Note. The genus Anthochlamys comprises five species (POWO, 2022) and is distributed in the Iran-Turanian floristic region (Sukhorukov and Konstantinova 2012). Except for A. tjanschanica, almost all the taxa can be found in Iran and western Afghanistan, which differs from other species by its distribution in the Tian-Shan Mountains (Sidorenko et al. 1968; Pratov 1972a). The species belongs to the rare endemic species of FV with a very narrow distribution range. It inhabits gravelly and loessal slopes of foothills and does not grow in protected areas (Tojibaev et al. 2022). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, dry-farming, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills of FV. Crataegus knorringiana Pojark. in Ref. Nauchno-Issl. Rabot, Otdelenie Biol. Nauk 1945: 7 (1947) Fig. 3E Note. FV, the Chatkal Range, and the surrounding area, in particular, are important areas in the conservation of wild species of hawthorns (Pachomova 1976). Species known to be widely distributed throughout Central Asia, including C. songorica C.Koch., C. turkestanica Pojark., and C. pontica C.Koch, and some endemic species with narrow distribution both grow in these areas. The distribution of narrow-range species is bounded by the Chatkal river basin and the adjacent mountain ranges of the FV. This group includes C. rematilobata (Chatkal, Turkestan and Alay ranges), C. tianschanica Pojark. (Chatkal Range), C. ferganensis Pojark. (Chatkal, Fergana, Alay ranges), and C. knorringiana with distribution in the Chatkal and Alay ranges (Pachomova 1976). The last species were recorded in Bozbu-Too during the IPA surveys. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, human disturbance, over-grazing, and cutting threaten the species (Eastwood et al. 2009). General distribution. Kyrgyzstan. Distribution in FV. Mid-mountain belt of Chatkal and Alay ranges. Delphinium knorringianum B.Fedtsch. in J. Roy. Hort. Soc. 61: 196 (1936) Figs 2E, 3G Note. This rare ornamental plant is a relic species with a disjunctive area and is endemic to FV, where it was found on the northern slopes of the Atoynok Mountain Range and in the northern spurs of Turkestan and Alay ranges. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 25 Distribution in FV. Mid-mountain belt of the Atoynok Mountain Range and in the northern spurs of the Turkestan and Alay ranges. Dorema microcarpum Korovin in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Inst. Bot. Zool. Akad. Nauk Uzbeksk. S.S.R. 8: 6 (1947) Fig. 3F Note. As mentioned by M.G. Pimenov (1988), it is difficult not to use the epithet “marvelous” for the Iran-Turanian genus Dorema D.Don because, compared to other genera of the Umbeliferae family, it has simple umbel located along the axis of the common inflorescence. This is the most striking feature of the genus Dorema, truly unique within the Umbelliferae. The hotspot of the genus is in the Kopet Dag Range (Turkmenistan and Iran) and the surrounding lowlands and plains (Pimenov 1983a, 1988). Dorema microcarpum is the type species of the sect. Microcarpa Pimenov, and is considered the most eastern species of the genus. The mountain surrounding FV limits the distributed area (Pimenov 1988). The species is on the verge of extinction, caused mainly by habitat fragmentation. It is included in the Red Data Books of Kyrgyzstan (Davletkeldiev 2006) and Uzbekistan (Khassanov 2019). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, dry-farming, overgrazing. General distribution. Fergana, South Chatkal, Kurama, and Alay ranges (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan). Distribution in FV. Foothills of FV. Eminium regelii Vved. in Schreder (ed.), Fl. Uzbekistan. 1: 540 (1941) Figs 2J, 3H Note. The species is listed as a rare endangered species in the Red Data Book of Kyrgyzstan (Davletkeldiev 2006) and is sporadically distributed in western Tian-Shan and northern Pamir-Alay (Pazij 1972). In the IPA site, the species occurs as single individuals in silty soil and loess slopes in piedmonts and low-montane zones. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, dry-farming, overgrazing in early spring. General distribution. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills of FV. Gamanthus ferganicus Iljin in Trudy Bot. Inst. Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R., Ser. 1, Fl. Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 2: 131 (1936) Fig. 4A ≡ Halimocnemis ferganica (Iljin) Akhani, Int. J. Pl. Sci. 168: 948 (2007). 26 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Note. The genus Gamanthus Bunge is predominantly a desert and foothill genus, growing on sands and variegated outcrops. The genus is represented by five species (POWO 2022), mainly in Central Asia, with a disjunction into the Caucasus and Iran and the environs (Gamanthus pilosus (Pall.) Bunge). Of these, two species, G. ferganicus Iljin and G. leucophyllus Botsch., are endemic to Mountainous Central Asia. The first species is bound to the FV, occurring in saline crushed stone slopes of the foothills (Pratov 1972b). It differs from other species of the genus by having opposite leaves covered throughout with crisp, closely appressed hairs. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; low mountains of Chatkal Range (Ungortepa). Iris kolpakowskiana Regel in Trudy Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 5: 263 (1877) Figs 2F, 4B = Iridodictyum kolpakowskianum (Regel) Rodion., Rod Iris: 202 (1961). Note. This is an ornamental and early flowering species with a reducing area. The distribution area includes piedmont plains, foothills, and low mountains (up to 1500 m) in western and northern Tian-Shan. The species populates silty-soil, loess, and stony slopes. Such landscapes predominate in FV and are places of intensive human activity. For this reason, the number of individuals is limited and declining. The species is included in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan (Davletkeldiev 2006). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, dry-farming, overgrazing in early spring. General distribution. Western and northern Tian-Shan (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan). Distribution in FV. Foothills of FV. Hedlundia persica (Hedl.) Mezhenskyj, NULESU Coll. Fruit Ornament. Pl.: 32 (2018) Figs 2H, 4C ≡ Sorbus persica Hedl., Kongl. Svenska Vetensk. Acad. Handl., n.s., 35(1): 70 (1901). ≡ Pyrus persica (Hedl.) M.F.Fay & Christenh., Global Fl. 4: 115 (2018). Note. Although the species is rare and red-listed in Kyrgyzstan (Davletkeldiev 2006) and has a restricted distribution in Central Asia, Iran, Caucasus and Afghanistan, there are no immediate threats. Most of the Central Asian populations are in protected areas (Chatkal, Besh-Aral, Sary-Chelek, and Aksu-Djabagli reserves). Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 27 Existing Conservation Threats. Over-collection for firewood. General distribution. Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan Distribution in FV. Mid-mountain belt of Chatkal, Fergana, Alay and Turkestan ranges. Figure 4. Distribution map of the species of sub-criterion Aii, based on GeoCAT A Gamanthus ferganicus B Iris kolpakowskiana C Hedlundia persica D Lamyropappus schakaptaricus E Oreosalsola drobovii F Seseli eryngioides G Tulipa ferganica. 28 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Lamyropappus schakaptaricus (B.Fedtsch.) Knorring & Tamamsch. in Bot. Zhurn. S.S.S.R. 38: 909 (1954) ≡ Cirsium schakaptaricum O.Fedtsch. & B.Fedtsch., Consp. Fl. Turkest. 4: 287 (1912). Note. The monotypic genus Lamyropappus Knorring & Tamamsch. belongs to the relicts of the flora of Central Asia (Kamelin 1973; Tojibaev et al. 2019). The unique species of the genus has been described as a species of Cirsium L. (as C. schakaptaricum O.Fedtsch. & B.Fedtsch.) (Fedtschenko and Fedtschenko 1912). Based on the results of taxonomical revisions of the genus, this species was allocated as a monotypic genus Lamyropappus in 1954 (Neustrueva-Knorring and Tamamschian 1954). The species has been described in the vicinity of the village of Shekaftar (Central Asia, FV, Kyrgyzstan). Locus classicus is located in boundary areas with Uzbekistan. According to published data (Tamamschian 1963; Tulaganova 1993a), the species’ distribution area includes the Pribalkhash District, with deserts and mountains in the middle section of the Naryn river basin (Chatkal and Fergana ranges). The species has been included in the first three editions of the Red Data Book of Uzbekistan (Pratov 2009). In the 1960s, all cited habitats became farmlands or inhabited settlements. Accordingly, the species’ local population in Uzbekistan has disappeared. Tojibaev (2002), within the inventory of flora of southern slopes of the Kurama range in FV, studied boundary areas of Uzbekistan and a Shakaftar village in detail. However, populations of the species have not been found. The northern foothills of FV, in particular the vicinity of the village Shekaftar, are used as farmland. The species has not been found in fragmented natural landscapes. Following the results of these studies, the species has been excluded from the last edition of the Red Data Book (Pratov 2009). However, during field surveys of 2018–2019, a fragmented population of the species was found in the vicinity of Arbagish village in Uzbekistan. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, overgrazing. General distribution. Pribalkhash Deserts, western Tian-Shan (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan). Distribution in FV. Foothills and low mountains in Naryn River Valley, Chatkal, and Fergana ranges. Oreosalsola drobovii (Botsch.) Akhani in Phytotaxa 249: 162 (2016) Fig. 4E ≡ Salsola drobovii Botsch. in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Uzbekistansk. Fil. Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 3: 3 (1941). Note. The genus Oreosalsola Akhani, a non-C4 lineage, was described as a new genus segregated from Salsola s.l. Morphologically and phylogenetically, Oreosalsola is very similar to Salsola arbusculiformis Drobow, i.e., the “Collinosalsola” group. The main differences are the relatively long inflorescences, glaucous annual branches, and deep Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 29 bifid divergent stigmas in Oreosalsola in contrast to dark green annual branches, shorter inflorescences, and less divided stigmas in “Collinosalsola” (Akhani et al. 2016). The genus comprises nine species, mostly distributed in Central Asia and Iran (POWO 2022). Oreosalsola drobovii (Botsch.) Akhani is distributed in the central and western TianShan area. The FV is the southern border of the species distribution. It is found as solitary plants, inhabiting dry gravelly and stony slopes of the foothills and the lower belt of mountains. In the dry and waterless slopes of the Kurama ridge, the population is vulnerable, but the semi-shrub life form allows it to survive the “waterless” periods. But, this biomorph is the limiting factor in the context of various external impacts, such as cutting and fragmentation of habitats. This species is not protected in the Fergana part of the range. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills and low mountains of Kurama and Chatkal ranges. Seseli eryngioides (Korovin) Pimenov & V.N.Tikhom., in S.K.Cherepanov, Sosud. Rast. SSSR: 30 (1981) Figs 2G, 4F Note. This is one of the subendemic species of the Bozbu-Too-Ungortep IPA site with a few numbers of individuals. The distribution area is limited by the Chatkal range (Pimenov 1983b). Part of a known population inhabits protected areas in the BeshAral Nature Reserve (Davletkeldiev 2006). Existing Conservation Threats. Unstudied. General distribution. Western and northern Tian-Shan (Kyrgyzstan). Distribution in FV. Foothills of FV. Tulipa ferganica Vved. in Byull. Sredne-Aziatsk. Gosud. Univ. 21: 148 (1935) Figs 2I, 4G Note. This is a subendemic species of FV and also grows on the southern macroslope of the Susamyr Range. All populations are located in the eastern part of the valley within the Chatkal and Alay ranges. Despite its wide distribution in this part of FV, there is a decrease in habitats and individuals in populations, especially around large settlements. Populations in the vicinity of Yangikurgan, Andijan, and Namangan are most threatened, with observed declines of over 25–30% in the last 20–25 years. Therefore, the presence of this species in the protected areas of the FV is important. Currently, the FV presents 11 protected areas with four types (including natural monuments). In terms of preserving wild tulip populations, the most significant protected area is the Sary-Chelek Reserve and other reserves located in Kyrgyzstan (Dekhkonov et al. 2021). T. ferganica has been found in almost all protected areas within Kyrgyzstan. However, further efforts are needed to document the presence of species in many protected areas across the region. According to Wilson et al. (2021), climate-changing models using T. ferganica and 30 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) T. korolkowii underline the restricted representation of these taxa in protected areas. The species is threatened by agricultural expansion, habitat fragmentation, and over-grazing. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, overgrazing. General distribution. Western Tian-Shan and northern Pamir-Alay (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan). Distribution in FV. Foothills and low mountains of FV. Category Aiii Thirty six species were described in category Aiii. In this study, following Darbyshire et al. (2017), sub-criteria Aiii and Aiv we defined differently from those used within Europe (Anderson 2002). As noted in Anderson (2002) and analogical publications (Blasi et al. 2011; Marignani and Blasi 2012), European IPA sub-criteria focus on threatened national endemics and national nearendemics, using political boundaries. For sub-criteria Aiii and Aiv we focused on FV and the Afghan-Turkestan province, areas that are larger than the political boundaries of some European countries. Species of sub-criteria Aiii were divided into two groups: “Highly Restricted Endemics” (HRE), which consist of species with a total range of less than 100 km2; and “Range Restricted Endemic” (RRE) with a total range of no more than 5000 km2, but more than 100 km2 (Darbyshire et al. 2017). Highly Restricted Endemics of FV Allium tatyanae F.O.Khass. & F.Karimov in Stapfia 99: 211 (2013) Figs 6A, 8A Note. This species was previously described at this IPA site (Khassanov et al. 2013). Since 2013, only five herbarium specimens have been collected, including two type specimens kept at TASH (TASH000469, TASH000470). Research in recent years, including within the framework of this study, shows that the species is extremely rare and is not found in the adjacent territories of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, overgrazing. General distribution. Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Subendemic; foothills of FV. Astragalus allotricholobus Nabiev in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Inst. Bot. Akad. Nauk Uzbeksk. S.S.R. 14: 17 (1954) Fig. 8B Note. This is one of the lesser-known species of Astragalus sect. Chaetodon Bunge. It was described by M.M. Nabiev at the IPA site area during his inventory study of the Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 31 flora of Maylisay river basin (1954). The species in the herbaria of Central Asia (Tashkent, Bishkek) is represented by only a few specimens. A possible reason for this is the natural rarity of populations and the narrow range of distribution areas. The species is well distinguished from other representatives of the sect. Chaetodon, primarily from Astragalus rumpens Meffert allians, by the pubescence of the calyx (long, spaced, and shortly appressed) and beans (short, appressed hairs). This feature was the reason for the specific epithet, which in Latin means “beans otherwise hairy”. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic (Chatkal, Kurama); foothills of southern Chatkal. Corydalis bosbutooënsis Lazkov in Bot. Zhurn. (Moscow & Leningrad) 91: 954 (2006) Figs 6B, 8C Note. This interesting species (sect. Strictae, subsect. Flabellatae Fedde), with a narrow range, was previously described at this IPA site (Lazkov 2006b). The author of the species limited the distribution area to the Bozbu-Too Mount massif. The species was considered a narrow endemic of Bozbu-Too, Kyrgyzstan in all publications (Lazkov and Sultanova 2014). During IPA field research in 2019–2020, we found local populations of this species in Uzbekistan on the rocky outcrops of Ungortepa. The discovered population in Uzbekistan occupied approximately 400 × 500 m and was represented by single and grouped plants of 5–10 individuals. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; foothills and low mountains of FV. Gagea spelaea Levichev & Lazkov in J. Asia-Pacific Biodivers. 12: 343 (2019) Figs 6C, 8D Note. The genus Gagea Salisb. is one of the largest genera in Liliaceae. Numerous studies have estimated that the number of species in the genus ranges from about 100 (Dahlgren et al. 1985; Xinqi and Turland 2000) to more than 320 (Levichev 2013; Peterson et al. 2016), which is largely due to the incomplete taxonomic revision of Gagea (Levichev 1999). Several new species from Iran (Zarrei et al. 2010a, 2010b), Western Europe (Peruzzi et al. 2007), and Turkey, and surrounds (Kayikçi et al. 2014) were described in the last decade. Central Asia is considered a territory with many newly described species of Gagea. According to current data, 34 species of Gagea are known in the FV (Tojibaev et al. 2018a), and, more recently, 36 in Kyrgyzstan (Levichev et al. 2019). However, this number is incomplete, since several undescribed taxa are present in Central Asia, including the mountains surrounding of the FV. 32 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Described from FV, Gagea spelaea belongs to the group of white-flowered Gagea species. Until recently, this species was only known from the Chatkal Range’s SaryChelek Nature Reserve, Kyrgyzstan (Levichev et al. 2019). New field surveys under the IPA FV project found two localities of the species in the Bozbu-Too area. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; Chatkal Range (Bozbu-Too, Sary-Chelek). Iris austrotschatkalica Tojibaev, F.Karim. & Turgunov in Turczaninowia 17(4): 12 (2014) Figs 6D, 8E Note. The species also was previously described at this IPA site (southern Chatkal ridge, Ungortepa) in 2014 (Tojibaev et al. 2014c). Iris austrotschatkalica, with a narrow range of edaphic tolerance, i.e., a stenobiont, grows only on dry, well-warmed stony soils. The vertical interval is also very narrow, from 1200–1300 m only. Despite a careful study of adjacent territories, the species remains known only from the locus classicus in Uzbekistan. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; low mountains of Chatkal Range (Ungortepa). Range Restricted Endemics Acantholimon nabievii Lincz. in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 21: 495 (1961) Figs 6E, 8F Note. This species has a limited distribution in the form of a narrow strip along the northern foothills of the FV (Tojibaev et al. 2022). The main part of the population grows close to a large settlement (Chust, Kosonsoy towns). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; northern foothills of FV. Allium arkitense R.M.Fritsch in Stapfia 80: 385 (2002) Figs 6F, 8G Note. The species, one of the rare species of the FV, was described over the past two decades (Fritsch et al. 2002). Prior to our research, the species was known only from the locus classicus (Fritsch 2016). New populations of the species were found during field surveys in Kyrgyzstan (Lazkov) and Uzbekistan (Tojibaev, Karimov, Hoshimov). Thus, the species has a transboundary range. Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 33 Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; northern foothills of FV. Allium gracillimum Vved. in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 9: 243 (1946) Figs 6G, 8H Note. Originally, the species was described as a narrow endemic of the Mogoltau Mountains, Tajikistan (Vvedensky 1971). Later, it was found in the southern part of the Kurama range, Tajikistan (Tojibaev`s oral communication), and the Chatkal range (Lazkov and Turdumatova 2010). According to current data, the species distribution area covers Mogoltau, the southern slopes of Kurama (both in Tajikistan), and the Atoynak and Chatkal ranges (Kyrgyzstan). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; low mountains of Mogoltau, Atoynak, Chatkal and Kurama ranges. Allium haneltii F.O. Khass. & R.M. Fritsch in Linzer Biol. Beitr. 30: 282 (1998) Figs 6I, 8I Note. This is a morphologically and geographically interesting species of Allium sect. Brevidentia F.O.Khass. & Yengalycheva (Fritsch et al. 1998). The species is widely separated from its closest relatives, i.e., the Afghan species A. miserabile Wendelbo and A. circumflexum Wendelbo (Fritsch et al. 1998). All relatives are distinguished by simple inner filaments, coriaceous outer bulb tunics, and boat-shaped bulblets. The distribution area is limited by the foothills of Kurama and Chatkal ranges (Tojibaev et al. 2020). The main part of the population grows close to a large settlement and is threatened by habitat fragmentation. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; northern foothills of FV. Allium oreoscordum Vved. in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Glavn. Bot. Sada R.S.F.S.R. 5: 95 (1924) Figs 6H, 8J Note. This is one of the primitive Allium species in the flora of Central Asia. Characterized by the peculiar structure of the bulb, i.e., bulbs are attached to an ascending rhizome, they are narrowly conical, and bulb tunics are reticulate. The species was 34 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) described from Ungortepa, i.e., in the IPA area. Currently, the area is limited to the Chatkal and Uzun-Akhmat ranges (FV) and the species is known in 10–12 locations; most of them are found in the Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa IPA. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; northern foothills and mid-mountains of FV. Allium pseudopskemense ined. (sect. Cepa) Figs 6J, 8K Note. Allium sect. Cepa (Mill.) Prokh. is a small group within the genus Allium that includes 12 wild and cultivated species. Two of them, Allium cepa L. (common or bulb onion) and A. fistulosum L. (bunching onion) are economically important (Yusupov et al. 2021). In «Flora of the Kirghiz SSR» (Nikitina, 1951), three wild (A. galanthum Kar. & Kir., A. oschaninii O.Fedtsch., A. pskemense B.Fedtsch.) and one cultivated species (A. cepa) representatives of sect. Cepa have been recorded. The same number of species of sect. Cepa (A. cepa, A. oschaninii, A. praemixtum Vved., A. pskemense) was recorded in Uzbekistan (Sennikov 2017). During field research at the IPA site in 2012–2013, Lazkov collected specimens distinctive from A. pskemense. A subsequent revision of all herbarium specimens in FRU and TASH with similar morphological features shows that recently collected specimens differed from A. pskemense due to important characteristics such as filament structure and distribution areas. Prior to that point, all collectors in Kyrgyzstan wrongly identified it as the closely related A. pskemense. The difference between the newly collected plants and A. pskemense is justified morphologically, genetically, and geographically. The plant from this IPA site has been named Allium pseudopskemense ined. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan. Distribution in FV. Foothills of FV. Astragalus bosbutooënsis Nikitina & Sudn. in Izv. Akad. Nauk Kirgizsk. S.S.R., Ser. Biol. Nauk 1: 68 (1974) Figs 6K, 8L Note. The species was described in the Bozbu-Too Range and was considered endemic to Kyrgyzstan (Kamelin 1981; Lazkov and Sultanova 2014). It belongs to the sect. Xiphidium Bunge (subsect. Microtropidia Kamelin), and is a loose, non turfforming plant with elongated pink-purple inflorescences. All known locations were in the Bozbu-Too. However, in 1950 and 1972, very similar plants were collected from Uzbekistan, between the Pap and Charkesar foothills and Chatkal reserve, re- Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 35 spectively. Because of the rarity of this species in the Uzbekistan part of the Chatkal Range, it remained overlooked by subsequent researchers (Krasovskaya and Levichev 1986; Tojibaev 2010). The new records significantly expanded the distribution area of this rare plant species (Tojibaev et al. 2014b). According to the latest data, the species is a narrow endemic of the FV, with distribution in the Atoynak and Chatkal ranges (Tojibaev et al. 2020). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; foothills and low mountains of FV. Astragalus melanocomus Popov in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 10: 24 (1947) Fig. 9A = Astragalus isophysus Nabiev in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Inst. Bot. Akad. Nauk Uzbeksk. S.S.R. 14: 20 (1954). Note. The species belongs to sect. Chaetodon Bunge (Puchkova 1967, 1981; Podlech and Zarre 2013). In Central Asia, the sect. Chaetodon is represented by a large number of species endemic to mountainous Central Asia, including rare and threatened ones (Tojibaev et al. 2015). A. melanocomus is endemic to the mountain ranges surrounding the FV (Puchkova 1967, 1981; Tojibaev et al. 2015). From the study area, it is known only from two herbarium collections from 1912 and 1933, kept in LE (Ungor-Tepa Mountains, O. Knorring, sn, 1912; Environs of the village of Kassansay, Drobow and Sakhobutdinov, sn, 1933). Subsequent studies in both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan did not reveal the presence of A. melanocomus in this IPA site and surrounding areas. Existing Conservation Threats. Unknown. General distribution. Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; middle mountain belt of FV. Astragalus pseudodianthus Nabiev in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Inst. Bot. Akad. Nauk Uzbeksk. S.S.R. 14: 21 (1954) Fig. 9B Note. The species was described by Nabiev (1954) from the gypsum slopes of the northern foothills of the FV, bordering the IPA site. Other closely related species differ in the large size of the flower, calyx, and beans, and legumes 1–2 mm long. According to Vinogradova (1981) the species belongs to sect. Aureophora Kamelin, consisting of four species, and are narrow endemics to the foothills and low mountains of western Tian-Shan and western Pamir-Alay. Podlech and Zarre (2013) classified the species into sect. Dissitiflori with more than 1954 species worldwide. 36 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Nabiev (1954) also described several Astragalus species, which are still considered narrow endemics of foothills and low mountains of southern Chatkal, bordering the Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa IPA site, namely A. allotricholobus (see above), A. isophysus (syn. of A. melanocomus Popov), both belong to the sect. Chaetodon, and A. caudicosus Galkina & Nabiev (sect. Ornithopodium, sensu Podlech and Zarre 2013: 1782–1797). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; foothills and low mountains of Kurama and Chatkal ranges. Astragalus spryginii Popov in Dimo, Soil Invest. Exped. Rivers Syr-daria & Amudaria 1: 51 (1915) Fig. 9C Note. This is a representative of subsect. Spryginiana Kamelin with interesting morphological features. Within the sect. Xiphidium (more than 60 species in Central Asia) is distinguished by its life form (shrub) and is easily identified by its bare ovary and beans (Kamelin 1981). Recently, the species were noted as a new species for the flora of Uzbekistan from the Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa IPA site, and detailed information on geography and conservation issues was given by Tojibaev et al. (2019). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; foothills and low mountain belts of FV. Cousinia knorringiae Bornm. in Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 34(2): 201 (1916) Figs 6M, 9D Note. This species is narrowly distributed in the western Tian-Shan and is endemic to Kyrgyzstan (Sennikov 2010; Lazkov and Umralina 2015). It inhabits bare rocks and screes at elevations of 1200–1500 m above sea level. This species is of conservation interest because of its small population size and limited distribution (Sennikov 2010, 2021). C. knorringiae was first reported in eastern Uzbekistan on the southern foothills of Ungur-Tepa Mt., north of Paromon Village, in Yangi-Kurgan District, Namangan Region (Usmonov et al. 2021). The conservation status of the species is assessed as Endangered (EN), based on criterion D (estimated population size of 200–250 mature individuals), according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (version 3.1). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills and low-mountain belt of Chatkal Range. Endemic to the Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa IPA site. Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 37 Cousinia krauseana Regel & Schmalh. in Izv. Imp. Obshch. Lyubit. Estestv. Moskovsk. Univ. 34(2): 48 (1882) Figs 6N, 9E Note. The species belong to Cousinia sect. Jurineopsis (Juz.) Tscherneva, which is endemic to the Central Asian Mountains (Tscherneva 1993). The section includes 11 species; most are distinguished by a comparatively small distribution area. Earlier, Tscherneva indicated C. krauseana in the flora of Uzbekistan (Tscherneva 1962) and Kirgiz SSR (Tscherneva 1963) with a small distribution area limited by the northern foothills of FV. During the field surveys in the IPA area, a small population of the species was found on the border of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. A new observation also confirms that the species has a narrow distribution area and is consistent with the latest data by Tscherneva (1993). However, the species has few herbarium records. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills and low-mountain belts of FV. Echinops knorringianus Iljin in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Glavn. Bot. Sada R.S.F.S.R. 3: 173 (1922) Fig. 9F Note. The genus Echinops L. in Central Asia represents approximately 45 species, and only 2 are annual plants (Li 1993). Among them, E. knorringianus can be easily distinguished by the absence of felt or cobweb pubescence on the upper surface of the leaves and stems with glandular pubescence. In contrast to E. nanus Bunge (the second annual species of the genus in Central Asia), E. knorringianus has a narrow distribution area (FV), bounded by the stony and fine-earth slopes of the foothills. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills around FV. Eremurus czatkalicus Lazkov in Turczaninowia 14(3): 12 (2011) Figs 6P, 9G Note. This is another new noteworthy record from the Uzbekistan part of the FV. This species was previously known from Kyrgyzstan, and the distribution area of this species was in the Aflatun River Basin in the southern Chatkal Range (Lazkov and Pashinina 2011). Most available data on the distribution of the species belongs to the vicinity of the locus classicus. However, in 2019, V. Yusupov collected specimens of the species from the northern foothills of the FV in Kasansay town (https://www.plantarium.ru). 38 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) This information intensified field surveys for the species elsewhere in the northern foothills of FV (Uzbekistan). Several specimens were found between Pap and Chust towns, in the Karatag massif (near Kasansay town), and Arbagish village. The last two locations form part of the IPA site. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills and low-mountain belts of Kurama and Chatkal ranges. Ferula incisoserrata Pimenov & J.V.Baranova in Byull. Moskovsk. Obshch. Isp. Prir., Otd. Biol., n.s., 84(3): 87 (1979) Figs 6L, 9H Note. The species is endemic to eastern FV with distribution in the Chatkal and Fergana ranges (Pimenov and Baranova 1979). It was previously recorded in the flora of Kyrgyzstan as a national endemic (Lazkov and Pashinina 2011; Laskov and Sultanova 2014). It was collected in the Uzbek part of FV in 2014, but was fully identified in 2020. The Uzbekistan population grows only in the Ungortepa area. The nearest populations are located in the Karavan pass (around 10–15 km, Nabiev 1959, specimen stored in TASH) and Bozbu-Too (around 35–38 km, Lazkov`s collection of 2021). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; low and mid-mountains of Chatkal and Fergana ranges. Regarding the diversity of geophyte bulbous species, FV is still an insufficiently studied area. This is evidenced by the fact that dozens of new species belonging to the genera Allium, Eremurus, Iris, and Tulipa have been described in the FV in the last two decades (Tojibaev et al. 2020; Naumenko and Zubov 2021). The genus Fritillaria is no exception, which is represented in the FV by at least six (Naumenko and Zubov 2021) out of eight species recorded in the Tian-Shan mountains. The last species was described recently (Naumenko and Zubov 2021), and the locus classicus is located in the IPA site. This species’ information is provided below. Fritillaria rugillosa Naumenko & Zubov in Int. Rock Gard. 140: 4–11 (2021) Figs 6O, 9I Note. In all previous field studies conducted in this region, this species was identified as Fritillaria stenanthera (Regel) Regel, which is endemic to western Tian-Shan. However, this species of Fritillaria is widespread across all mountain ranges of the region. Only Naumenko and Zubov, the authors of F. rugillosa, paid attention to the differences between the two species and recognized the plants from eastern Fergana as a new species. According to the authors, F. rugillosa differs from F. stenanthera by an open/ flat, wide-wheel-shaped perianth, sideways directed at flowering; perianth segments Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 39 without a pronounced pinch between the nectary horn and the bend of a segment; dark, violet, or purple filaments, pubescent by 2/3 at a base, white and glabrous in the upper part, or sometimes fully pubescent along the entire length (Naumenko and Zubov 2021). Naumenko and Zubov (2021) assumed that it is highly probable that it is distributed in the Uzbekistan part of the FV. Field surveys in 2021 confirmed the presence of the species in the Uzbekistan part of the FV. Populations of this species have been recorded in the vicinity of Arbagish. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills and low mountain belts of Chatkal Range. Hedysarum gypsaceum Korotkova in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Inst. Bot. Akad. Nauk Uzbeksk. S.S.R. 14: 13 (1954) Figs 6Q, 9J Note. This species is known from the boundary area between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, where it grows on rocky slopes at 900–1500 m. The distribution area of the species almost coincides with the Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa IPA site. The majority of specimens stored in TASH were collected from the Kyrgyzstan part. The latest collection from the territory of Uzbekistan was in 1951 (Nabiev 1959). According to the field surveys of 2015, the species is rare in the Uzbekistan part of the Chatkal range (vicinity of Arbagish village). Field studies in subsequent years determined the distribution area in the Uzbekistan part of the FV and the current condition of local populations. No more than 150–200 individuals of this species were found in the research area. The population consists of individuals of different ages, and seed regeneration was observed (Tojibaev et al. 2019). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; foothills and low mountain belts of Kurama and Chatkal ranges within the FV. Hedysarum turkestanicum Regel & Schmalh. in Izv. Imp. Obshch. Lyubit. Estestv. Moskovsk. Univ. 34(2): 21 (1882) Fig. 5, 9K Note. The species is a narrow endemic to the southern slopes of the Chatkal Range. It was described in 1882 by Regel and Schmalhausen based on collections by Krause (Regel 1882). The locus classicus is in the vicinity of the village of Nanay, bordering Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. For many years the plant was known only from type specimens. Another collection was carried out 69 years later, in 1951 by N.V. Galkina in the vicinity of Nanay. However, it is difficult to determine whether these specimens were collected in the Uzbekistan part (Tojibaev et al. 2014c). New infor- 40 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Figure 5. Specimen of Hedysarum turkestanicum Regel & Schmalh. collected 70 years after the date of the type specimens collection. mation on species distribution became available only in 2020 and 2021 when the staff of the Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences (Ortikov E. and Juramuradov I., respectively) collected two specimens of this species from the species’ locus classicus. However, the scientific significance of these collections lies in the fact that they indicate the preservation of the species in such a narrow area, which is directly located near a large settlement. Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 41 Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; foothills of southern Chatkal Range. Figure 6. The wild habitat of some plants in FV. A Allium tatyanae B Corydalis bosbutooënsis C Gagea spelaea D Iris austrotschatkalica E Acantholimon nabievii F Allium arkitense G Allium gracillimum H Allium oreoscordum I Allium haneltii J Allium pseudopskemense K Astragalus bosbutooënsis L Ferula incisoserrata M Cousinia knorringiae N Cousinia krauseana O Fritillaria rugillosa P Eremurus czatkalicus Q Hedysarum gypsaceum R Limonium ferganense S Seseli unicaule. 42 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Hyalolaena intermedia Pimenov & Kljuykov in Bot. Zhurn. (Moscow & Leningrad) 67: 887 (1982) Fig. 9L Note. The species was described from the environs of Kyzyl-Tokay (South Chatkal, Kyrgyzstan) based on herbarium specimen of the authors of the species (Pimenov and Kljuykov 1982). Until now, this species was considered nationally endemic to Kyrgyzstan, distributed only in the Chatkal Range (Pimenov and Kljuykov 2002; Lazkov and Umralina 2015). However, during an expedition to the hard-to-reach border areas north of Namangan, Tojibaev et al. collected H. intermedia Pimenov & Kljuykov, a new record for Uzbekistan (Lyskov et al. 2019). The species differs from all other Hyalolaena species in the branched cord-like roots and stubble-like concave ultimate segments of the basal leaves (Pimenov and Kljuykov 1982). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; foothills of Chatkal Range (Naryn and Kasansay River Basins). Iris narynensis O.Fedtsch. in Izv. Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 5: 159 (1905) Fig. 10A Note. Iris narynensis is endemic to the low mountain belts of the FV (both in TianShan and Pamir-Alay parts). The flowers are vaguely reminiscent of I. kuschakewiczii and its related species (Ikinci et al. 2011). The species belong to the group of rare Juno Iris species of Central Asia. In the Tian-Shan part, it is known from Ungortepa (Kyrgyzstan), the surroundings of Arbagish (Uzbekistan), and Bozbu-Too (Kyrgyzstan). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; foothills and low mountains of FV. Limonium ferganense Ikonn.-Gal. in Trudy Bot. Inst. Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R., Ser. 1, Fl. Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 2: 262 (1936) Figs 6R, 10B Note. Limonium ferganense is one of the few species of the genus endemic to the FV. The majority of populations of the species grow in the foothills of the Chatkal and Fergana ranges within the Naryn River Basin (Linchevsky 1993). The closest species are L. narynense Lincz., another species endemic to the mountains of the middle section of the Naryn River. L. ferganense is distinguished by the lack of fruitless branches in the inflorescence. Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 43 Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills of Chatkal and Fergana ranges. Oxytropis gymnogyne Bunge in Mém. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint Pétersbourg, Sér. 7, 22(1): 25 (1874) Fig. 10C Note. The genus Oxytropis DC. in Central Asia is mainly represented by species common in the mid and high-mountain regions (Filimonova 1983). O. gymnogyne belongs to a group of species endemic to Central Asia, distributed from foothills (450–500 m) up to the mid-mountain belt (1800–2000 m). In the Tajikistan part of western TianShan (Mogoltau), the species are found at 450–1000 m altitude (Abdusalamova 1978). In northern Fergana, including the IPA site, the species is distributed on stony and gravelly slopes of foothills between 500–900 m. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills and mid-mountain belt of Chatkal, Kurama, and Mogoltau ridges. As one of the largest genera in Lamiaceae, Phlomoids Moench. is well known for its high local microendemism in Central Asia (Salmaki et al. 2012). The tribe Phlomideae Mathiesen originally comprised six genera (Scheen et al. 2010), including the mostly Central Asian Phlomoides (L.) Moench, and Pseuderemostachys Popov. According to the World Checklist (Govaerts et al. 2021) and the above circumscription, Phlomideae contains 200 records, whereas Kamelin and Makhmedov (1990) recognized about 250 species within the genera. The species are distributed from Europe to Mongolia, China, and India, with the highest number of species found in Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran-Turanian, and Himalayan regions (Salmaki et al. 2012). One of the centers of local endemism of Phlomoides is in the study area. At least 26 species of the genus grow in the FV; seven of them are endemic to the FV (Gulomov 2021). Phlomoides adylovii Lazkov in Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 36: 32 (2004) Figs 7A, 10D Note. The species is considered one of the narrow endemic species of Phlomoides Moench. in the FV (Lazkov 2011, 2016). It was described by G.A. Lazkov in the Kurpsay gorge (Atoynak ridge), bordering the eastern part of the IPA site (Lazkov 2004). Currently, it is known from four localities, two of which are located at BozbuToo, Ungortepa of this IPA site (Lazkov 2004, 2011). 44 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan. Distribution in FV. Endemic; foothills of Chatkal and Fergana ranges. Figure 7. The wild habitat of some plants in FV A Phlomoides adylovii B Phlomoides kirghisorum C Phlomoides urodonta D Seseli giganteum E Scutellaria xanthosiphon F Phlomoides alaica G Silene fetissovii H Tanacetopsis ferganensis. Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 45 Figure 8. Distribution map of the species of sub-criterion Aiii, based on GeoCAT A Allium tatyanae B Astragalus allotricholobus C Corydalis bosbutooënsis D Gagea spelaea E Iris austrotschatkalica F Acantholimon nabievii G Allium arkitense H Allium gracillimum I Allium haneltii J Allium oreoscordum K Allium pseudopskemense L Astragalus bosbutooënsis. 46 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Figure 9. Distribution map of the species of sub-criterion Aiii, based on GeoCAT A Astragalus melanocomus B Astragalus pseudodianthus C Astragalus spryginii D Cousinia knorringiae E Cousinia krauseana F Echinops knorringianus G Eremurus czatkalicus H Ferula incisoserrata I Fritillaria rugillosa J Hedysarum gypsaceum K Hedysarum turkestanicum L Hyalolaena intermedia. Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 47 Figure 10. Distribution map of the species of sub-criterion Aiii, based on GeoCAT A Iris narynensis B Limonium ferganense C Oxytropis gymnogyne D Phlomoides adylovii E Phlomoides kirghisorum F Phlomoides alaica G Phlomoides urodonta H Scutellaria xanthosiphon I Silene fetissovii J Seseli giganteum K Seseli unicaule L Tanacetopsis ferganensis. 48 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Phlomoides kirghisorum Adylov, Kamelin & Makhm. in Opred. Rast. Sred. Azii 9: 99 (1987) Figs 7B, 10E Note. Originally, the species was described as Eremostachys ferganensis Ubuk. based on specimens collected from the Bozbu-Too Mountains (Ubukeeva 1960). Adylov and Makhmedov (1987) reported this species in Kyrgyzstan in the foothills and low mountains of Alay, Chatkal, and Fergana ranges. Current knowledge of the distribution area of this species shows that it is limited by FV (Lazkov and Sultanova 2014). Most of the population is located on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. During field surveys in 2020–2021, several plants belonging to this species were collected in the Uzbekistan part of the IPA site (Arbagish and surrounds). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills of Chatkal Range. Phlomoides alaica (Knorring) Adylov, Kamelin & Makhm. in Opred. Rast. Sred. Azii 9: 107 (1987) Figs 7F, 10F ≡ Phlomis alaica Knorring in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 15: 338 (1953). = Phlomis knorringiana Popov in V.L.Komarov, Fl. URSS 21: 648 (1954). ≡ Phlomoides knorringiana (Popov) Adylov, Kamelin & Makhm. in Opred. Rast. Sred. Azii 9: 107 (1987). Note. The type specimens described as Phlomis knorringiana Popov differ from Phlomis alaica Knorring (currently Phlomoides alaica) in having short stellate (not stellate with longer middle rays) hairs on the bracts and the calyx (Lazkov 2011). Because plants with similar morphological characteristics do not have separate geographical distribution areas and plants with intermediate forms were observed, Lazkov (2011, 2016) combined the two species while maintaining the priority of the epithet “alaica”. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills of Alay and Fergana ranges, Ak-Shyyrak, At-Oynok, Bozbu-Too, Chaar-Tash, and Moldo-Too Mts. Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 49 Phlomoides urodonta (Popov) Adylov, Kamelin & Makhm. in Opred. Rast. Sred. Azii 9: 106 (1987) Figs 7C, 10G Note. According to Lazkov, P. urodonta is the type species of the monotypic series Urodontae Lazkov, characterized by white or whitish corolla and narrowly triangular calyx teeth on the sides without denticles (Lazkov 2011). The conservation value of the species is increasing due to the small distribution area. The species is endemic to southern Chatkal in Kyrgyzstan. Previously, Lazkov (2011) reported four herbarium specimens (three of them were collected on the territory of the Sary-Chelek reserve). Later, another population was recorded by him in the study area. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan. Distribution in FV. Low mountains of Chatkal Range. Scutellaria xanthosiphon Juz. in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 14: 367 (1951) Figs 7E, 10H Note. Described from the Kugart river basin in the Fergana range, Kyrgyzstan. Alay and Fergana ranges in Kyrgyzstan cover the current distribution area of this species (Abdullaeva 1987). These ranges surround the FV from the northeast and south (south-east). Lazkov and Sultanova (2014) support these data and in the “Cadastre” for this species indicate near Fergana regions of Kyrgyzstan, which includes the southern slopes of the Chatkal and Fergana ranges and the northern slopes of the Alay and Turkestan ranges. Field studies in 2020–2021 showed the presence of populations of the species located in the areas between the Fergana and Alay ranges, which fall in the Bozbu-Too Mountains. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan. Distribution in FV. Middle mountain and subalpine belts of Chatkal, Fergana, and Alay ridges. Silene fetissovii Lazkov in Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 29: 66 (1993) Figs 7G, 10I Note. Thus far, the species is known from only a few localities in stony-rocky outcrops of the belt of forests and bushes of eastern Fergana. It was described by Lazkov (1993) in the territories adjacent to the IPA site (Chatkal Range, Padsha-Ata River Basin). Some paratype specimens were collected by Aydarova and Ubukeev from Bozbu-Too 50 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) in 1977 (kept in FRU). Based on current literature data and field observations from 2010–2020, the species is endemic to the Chatkal and Fergana ranges within the FV. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan. Distribution in FV. Middle mountain belt of Chatkal and Fergana ranges. The Flora of Kyrgyzstan is recognized as rich in species of the genus Seseli L. (Pimenov and Kljuykov 2002; Lazkov and Sultanova 2014). Out of 46 species known throughout Central Asia (Pimenov 1983b), 21 (Pimenov and Kljuykov 2002) or 23 (Lazkov and Sultanova 2014) species of the genus were recorded in the flora of Kyrgyzstan, and eight species are endemics (Pimenov and Kljuykov 2002). Most endemic Seseli species are distinguished by a small distribution area or are known from the type locality (S. luteolum Pimenov, S. kashgaricum Pimenov, Kljuykov). Some of the national endemics are distributed in eastern Fergana bordering Uzbekistan. Field surveys from 2010–2021 in Uzbekistan identified two Seseli species before being registered as national endemics of Kyrgyzstan (Lazkov and Umralina 2015). Seseli giganteum Lipsky in Trudy Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 23: 140 (1904) Figs 7D, 10J Note. The species belongs to the bi-type sect. Microseseli Pimenov (Pimenov 1978). The second species is S. turbinatum Korovin, which differs in life form (polycarpic), morphology (root system, fruit, corolla color, and branching type), and geography (Pamir-Alay, Nurata). S. giganteum is rare and endemic to the southern Chatkal. It was described from the valley of the Khoja-Ata river basin (Pimenov 1974). The species is known from a few localities outside the locus classicus, but none goes beyond the southern Chatkal (basins of the Padsha-Ata and Kasan-say rivers). According to all published data, the species is considered a strict endemic to Kyrgyzstan (Pimenov 1974, 1978; Lazkov and Sultanova 2014; Lazkov and Umralina 2015). The species was recorded near the vicinity of Nanay village in the Uzbekistan part of FV. This is close to the Ungortepa massive of the IPA site (by Tojibaev K.Sh., Turginov O.T.). The species grows on the loessal slopes of open shrublands. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan. Distribution in FV. Middle mountain belt of Chatkal Range. Seseli unicaule (Korovin) Pimenov in Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 11: 245 (1975) Figs 6S, 10K Note. In contrast to the previous species, S. unicaule (sect. Sclerrhiza Popov & Sdobnina, subsect. Lehmanniana Pimenov) has a wider distribution area and, accordingly, is represented by a large number of herbarium specimens kept at TASH, LE, FRU, WILR, and MW. The geography of the species was revised in detail by M.G. Pimenov Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 51 (Pimenov 1974, 1978, 1983b). The distribution area is limited to the drier foothills of eastern Fergana. The main habitats are in the Tian-Shan part of the valley, and a small disjunction is located in the eastern part of the Alay range (Pimenov 1983b). During the recent field investigation of plant diversity in the Uzbekistan part of the IPA site specimens of S. unicaule were collected (https://www.plantarium.ru) from the neighborhood of Airbagsh village. Accurate investigations of all the surrounding areas did not give positive results. Based on field studies in 2019–2021, it can be concluded that the Uzbekistan populations are represented only in the foothills of Arbagish. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan. Distribution in FV. Middle mountain belt of Chatkal Range. Tanacetopsis ferganensis (Kovalevsk.) Kovalevsk. in Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 9: 270 (1972) Figs 7H, 10L Note. This species is endemic to eastern Fergana and is known from several localities in the eastern part of the Chatkal, Atoynak, and Fergana ranges (Kamelin and Kovalevskaya 1993). It grows between rocks on the stony slopes of the middle and upper mountains. Only one locality is known in the study area; the gorge of the Archaly-Sai river, which is part of the Bozbu-Too. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan. Distribution in FV. Middle and high mountain belts of Chatkal and Fergana ranges. Category Aiv Ten species were included in category Aiv. As noted by Darbyshire et al. (2017) for the large majority of plant species belonging to IPA sub-criteria Aiv there are no formal global conservation status assessments in Central Asia. This is also an actuality because many cases focus on country-level distributions. Poor representation is a common problem for Central Asian species (Wilson et al. 2021), and international evaluation is rare due to the lack of close cooperation between neighboring countries. Allium minutum Vved. in Byull. Sredne-Aziatsk. Gosud. Univ. 19: 124 (1934) Figs 11A, 12A Note. During field observations in the vicinity of the Arbagish village in 2014 and later in 2021, a white-flowered Allium species was collected for the first time from the foothills of the Chatkal range in Uzbekistan. The species grew on the Artemisia steppe between 1100 and 1200 m. Detailed studies revealed that they did not match any Allium 52 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Figure 11. The wild habitat of some plants in FV A Allium minutum B Astragalus syreitschikovii C Fritillaria sewerzowii D Jurinea winkleri E Lagochilus knorringianus var. drobovii F Polycnemum perenne G Pseudosedum ferganense H Tulipa bifloriformis I Leibnitzia knorringiana J Takhtajaniantha tau-saghyz. Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 53 species reported from the foothills or low mountain belt of the Chatkal range. After examining all Allium species from FV, the morphological characters of these specimens were identical to those of Allium minutum Vved., which was previously recorded only in the Alay and Trans-Alay ranges, and in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan (Vvedenskyi 1971; Lazkov and Sultanova 2014). Therefore, A. minutum is here reported as a new record for the flora of Uzbekistan and the Chatkal range in particular. According to Vvedenskyi (1971) and Khassanov and Esankulov (2015), A. minutum is growing on gravelly and variegated outcrops of the upper belt of mountains. Examination of all published data (Vvedensky 1971; Khassanov 2000; Khassanov and Esankulov 2015) and herbarium specimens kept in Tashkent (TASH) showed the absence of data outside the Alay and Trans-Alay ranges. There is a high probability that the plants from southern Chatkal belong to a new species of the Allium genus. However, the plants from the highlands of the Alay Range and the low mountains of Chatkal do not differ morphologically. Therefore, the lack of data, especially regarding the distribution in the intermediate regions between Chatkal and Alay ranges, necessitated us to accept southern Chatkal plants as A. minutum. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Middle and high mountain belts of Chatkal and Fergana ridges. Astragalus syreitschikovii Pavlov in Byull. Moskovsk. Obshch. Isp. Prir., Otd. Biol., n.s., 44: 34 (1935) Figs 11B, 12B Note. The species belong to sect. Myobroma (Stev.) Bunge in sensu Kovalevskaya (1981) or sect. Caprini in sensu Podlech and Zarre (2013: 702). Initially, the species was described by N. Pavlov as endemic to the Syr Darya Karatau, Kazakhstan (Pavlov 1935). The author classified the species as an autochthonous Turanian element and assumed they would hardly be found in other regions of Central Asia. According to current data, A. syreitschikovii is endemic to limestone in the foothills and low mountains of western Tian-Shan (Kovalevskaya 1981) and is distributed to the north of the ChuIli mountains, Syr Darya Karatau, Santalash, and Chatkal range. The southern border of the species distribution falls to the northern side of the Akhangaran river basin. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills and low mountains of Chatkal Range. Fritillaria sewerzowii Regel in Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 41(I): 443 (1868) Figs 11C, 12C ≡ Korolkowia sewerzowii (Regel) Regel, Gartenflora 22: 163 (1873). 54 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) = Fritillaria discolor Mottet, Dict. Prat. Hort. 2: 431 (1893–1894). = Korolkowia discolor Regel, Gartenflora 35: 349 (1886). Note. Endemic to western Tian-Shan and one of the most ornamental species in the flora of Central Asia. Widespread in almost all mountain ranges of western Tian-Shan. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills and low mountains of Alay, Chatkal, and Kurama ranges. Jurinea winkleri Iljin in V.L. Komarov (ed.), Fl. URSS, 27: 722, 616 (1962) Figs 11D, 12D Note. The species are mostly distributed in FV. A disjunction is located in the Zirabulak low mountains (western Pamir-Alay). Current field surveys show that populations of the species survived only in the foothill zone. In the northern part of the valley, several isolated and fragmented populations are found in the Chust-Pap foothills (Tojibaev et al. 2022). This population stretches in fragments in a northeastern direction via the north of Namangan city, and relatively good micro populations are recorded in the variegated slopes of the vicinity of Arbagish and adjacent territories of Kyrgyzstan. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills of FV. Leibnitzia knorringiana (B.Fedtsch.) Pobed. in Fl. URSS 28: 594 (1963) Figs 11I, 12E Note. The genus Leibnitzia Cass. are a unique example of the Asian–North American biogeographic disjunction pattern (Hansen 1988; Baird 2009). Two species of the genus, i.e., L. lyrata (Sch.Bip.) G.L.Nesom and L. occimadrensis G.L.Nesom, are of biogeographic interest because they are two American members of a predominately Asian genus (Nesom 1983). The other four Asian members of Leibnitzia occupy mostly high-altitude (upper limits of 3100–5000 m above sea level vary by species), semiarid habitats in the Himalayan region, China, Japan, Korea, Bhutan, Mongolia, Siberia (Hansen 1988), and Kyrgyzstan (Nesom 1983; Hansen 1988; Lazkov and Sultanova 2014). Among them, L. knorringiana is distinguished by the smallest distribution area, limited to the Naryn river valley, Talas, and the Chatkal and Fergana Ranges within Kyrgyzstan (Tulaganova 1993b). Only one population was found at the Bozbu-TooUngortepa IPA site, growing in the tract of Taldi-Bulak (Mountain Bosbu-Too). Existing Conservation Threats. Farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan. Distribution in FV. Middle mountain belt and highlands of Naryn River Valley, Talas, Chatkal, and Fergana ranges. Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 55 Figure 12. Distribution map of the species of sub-criterion Aiv based on GeoCAT. A Allium minutum B Astragalus syreitschikovii C Fritillaria sewerzowii D Jurinea winkleri E Leibnitzia knorringiana F Lagochilus knorringianus var. drobovii G Polycnemum perenne H Pseudosedum ferganense I Tulipa bifloriformis J Takhtajaniantha tau-saghyz. Lagochilus knorringianus var. drobovii (Kamelin & Tzukerv.) Lazkov, KH Bot. Monogr. Rev. Ser. 1: 230 (2016) Figs 11E, 12F ≡ Lagochilus drobovii Kamelin & Tzukerv. in Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 20: 166 (1983). 56 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Note. Originally, the species was described as Lagochilus drobovii Kamelin & Tzukerv. and was limited to a narrow range in the villages of Shakaftar and Sumsar in southern Chatkal, Kyrgyzstan (Kamelin and Tschukervanik 1983; Tschukervanik 1987). Later, Lazkov (2016: 230) considered these plants as a variety of Lagochilus knorringianus, because the type specimen of L. knorringianus and the type specimen of L. drobovii were collected together. According to Lazkov (2016) L. knorringianus var. drobovii differs from L. knorringianus var. knorringianus by calyx, and sometimes the entire plant is more or less pubescent with short and long multicellular setaceous hairs. Here we report L. knorringianus var. drobovii as a new record for the Flora of Uzbekistan based on specimens collected in Arbagish village, Uzbekistan. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Low mountains of Chatkal Range. Polycnemum perenne Litv. in Trudy Bot. Muz. Imp. Akad. Nauk 7: 81 (1910) Figs 11F, 12G Note. The genus Polycnemum L. is represented by 7–8 species distributed in North Africa, the Mediterranean, Europe, Asia Minor, Siberia, and Central Asia (Sidorenko 1968; corrected by POWO 2022). Three species grow in Central Asia (Pratov 1972c). Among them, P. perenne is distinguished by a life form (semi-shrub, the other two are annuals) and narrow distribution (endemic to western Tian-Shan and Alay). The main part of the range is located in the western Tian-Shan (from the Syr Darya Karatau in the north to the Kurama Range in the south), where it is confined to rocks, stony and gravelly slopes of foothills, and a low mountain belt (800–1600 m). The species is widespread in the study area. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills and low mountains of Alay, Chatkal, and Kurama ridges. Pseudosedum ferganense Boriss. in Trudy Bot. Inst. Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R., Ser. 1, Fl. Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 1: 112 (1933) Figs 11G, 12H Note. The genus Pseudosedum (Boiss.) A.Berger falls into the category of medium size genus within Crassulaceae DC. and comprises about 14 registered taxa (Tojibaev et al. 2018b). Ten species grow in Central Asia (Pratov 1974), two species are noted for northern China (Kanjun 2001), and three isolated species belong to the “Flora Iranica” area (Jansson and Rechinger 1970). Previously, P. ferganense was recorded as a new species for the flora of Uzbekistan (Tojibaev et al. 2018b). It occupies an isolated position within the genus and belongs to the monotype sect. Tuberaria Boriss. (Borissova 1939), with the roots forming tu- Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 57 bers. In the Uzbekistan part of the FV, the species grows in cracks in the rocks in the northern foothills and low mountains, and populations extend from the Chap tract to the Ungortepa massif and lower reaches of the Mailisay river basin (Arbagish). Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands, overgrazing. General distribution. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Distribution in FV. Foothills and low mountains of Alay, Chatkal, and Kurama ranges. Tulipa bifloriformis Vved. in Opred. Rast. Sred. Azii 2: 320 (1971) Figs 11H, 12I Note. The species is one of the most widespread tulip species, endemic to western Tian-Shan (Tojibaev et al. 2020; Dekhkonov et al. 2022). However, no threat of risk of reduction or extinction of the species has been identified in the study area and adjacent territories of western Tian-Shan. Moreover, this species showed increased seed germination and can easily colonize disturbed habitats (Tojibaev and Kadirov 2010). Nonetheless, climate modeling for Central Asian tulips suggests that climate change will have a significantly negative impact on the range size of all species, including those currently widespread like T. bifloriformis (Wilson et al. 2021). General distribution. Western Tian-Shan. Distribution in FV. Northern foothills and low mountains of FV. Takhtajaniantha tau-saghyz (Lipsch. & G.G.Bosse) Zaika, Sukhor. & N.Kilian in PhytoKeys 137: 72 (2020) Figs 11J, 12J ≡ Scorzonera uzbekistanica Czevr. & Bondarenko in Fl. Uzbekistan. 6: 436, 516 (1962). ≡ Scorzonera tau-saghyz subsp. usbekistanica, in Bot. Zhurn. (Moscow & Leningrad) 71: 1672 (1986). Note. This species belongs to, perhaps, the most famous and interesting group of plants studied from an economic point of view. The discovery of a new rubber plant species (Scorzonera uzbekistanica Czevr. & Bondarenko) back in 1949 in eastern Fergana led to the explorations of this interesting territory. According to the authors of the new species, the discovered plants belonged to Scorzonera L. genus and differed from the already known S. tau-saghyz Lipsch. & Bosse (endemic to the Karatau mountains, western Tian-Shan, Kazakhstan) in a number of morphological features, first of all by “yellow latex, bare and on the edge of the jagged outer leaves of the wrapper and achenes, pubescent only along hardly noticeable veins”. These distinctive features made it possible to recognize the Maylisay plants as new (Chevrenidi and Bondarenko 1950). However, the protologue was given diagnostic signs only in Russian. A valid description was given in the 6th volume of the Flora of Uzbekistan (Kovalevskaya 1962).. 58 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) Later, Kamelin and Tagaev (1986), S. uzbekistanica identified it as a subspecies of S. tau-saghyz (Scorzonera tau-saghyz subsp. usbekistanica (Czevr. & Bondarenko) Tagaev. Nevertheless, subsequent research on the genus Scorzonera did not properly investigate the eastern Fergana plants. Even in the Conspectus Florae Asiae Media (Tagaev 1993), this species is referred to as a synonym of S. tau-saghyz. Currently, all available modern sources, including Zaika et al. (2020), POWO (2022), accept S. uzbekistanica as a synonym of Takhtajaniantha tau-saghyz. Existing Conservation Threats. Habitat fragmentation, farmlands. General distribution. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan Distribution in FV. Foothills of southern Chatkal. Socio-economic issues The FV is one of the most densely populated regions of Central Asia and one of the major areas of concern regarding the conservation of natural landscapes. For centuries, the valley ecosystems have been under the pressure of anthropogenic impacts (Tojibaev et al 2018a). Since the mid-1970s, habitats of many endemic and rare plant species of FV have been impacted by humans. However, populations of some species were not found during field surveys in the 1970s (Vernik and Rakhimova 1982). Human impacts on the environment by uncontrolled development and climatic changes have exacerbated the threatened status of numerous plant species and habitats in FV (Tojibaev et al. 2022). In densely populated regions with limited natural ecosystems, like FV, effective conservation actions need to consider the social, cultural, and economic interests of local humans. This postulate applies to IPA programs as well (Blasi et al. 2011). Since IPAs inevitably fit into a wider context and are not designed to exist in isolation, they should be considered when designing ecological networks (Blasi et al. 2011; Jongman and Pungetti 2004) and ecological corridors, planning the zonation of existing protected areas and defining key biodiversity areas (Eken et al. 2004). In the Uzbekistan part of the FV, such programs are still relevant despite the inability to create new protected areas. Discussion IPA Assessment Within the FV Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa, the IPA site is important for wild plant conservation. Using the IPA criteria for the FV (Tojibaev et al. 2022), Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa massif qualifies as an IPA under criteria A. Endemism and a new record for the national floras Due to research within the framework of the Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa IPA, the massif has become one of the most studied areas of the FV, where many endemic and threat- Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 59 ened species of local flora are concentrated. Our research has shown that at least five species (Allium tatyanae, Astragalus bosbutooënsis, Corydalis bosbutooënsis, Hedysarum turkestanicum, and Iris austrotschatkalica) are endemic to this relatively small area, which is one of the highest rates in mountainous Central Asia. Of these, four species have been found and described by some of this paper’s authors (G.A. Lazkov, K.Sh. Tojibaev, and F.A. Karimov). It is also noteworthy that Iris austrotschatkalica was described as the result of the identification of the IPA site (Tojibaev et al. 2014a). Our inventory of the flora within the study area has significantly enriched the known flora of Uzbekistan with species previously noted only in countries adjacent to Uzbekistan. Some of these new records have been published prior to this work, including those on Astragalus spryginii Popov, and Pseudosedum ferganense Boriss. (Tojibaev et al. 2018b). Here we report the presence of more species newly discovered among the flora of Uzbekistan, including Hyalolaena intermedia Pimenov and Kljuykov (Lyskov et al. 2019), Allium arkitense, A. minutum, Phlomoides alaica, Lagochilus knorringianus var. drobovii, and Corydalis bosbutooensis. Additionally, modern research within the framework of the IPA has found some species here that were previously considered extinct in this area, including Lamyropappus schakaptaricus, and Hedysarum gypsaceum (Tojibaev et al. 2019). Contribution of the present research The second IPA site in FV occupies a transboundary position between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The site was selected based on species endemism at national (Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan), regional (FV) and botanical province (Afghan-Turkestan province) levels. The research results of the current stage of IPA identification in the FV was completed in line with the core aims of the IPAs Programme (Anderson 2002; Darbyshire et al. 2017, 2019). The best available data in Central Asia was used to highlight key sites with high concentrations of endemic and threatened plant species, growing outside of protected areas. We also considered the criteria proposed by Shaltout and Eid (2016), which allow for species vulnerability, irreplaceability, and richness of vascular plant species in the IPA site. The first studies on the identification of IPA sites were characterized by determining IPAs within different countries, and compiling lists of rare and threatened species (Al-Abbasi et al. 2010; Hall et al. 2011; Llewellyn et al. 2011; Artemov 2012; Olonova et al. 2013; Dimeyeva and Vesselova 2015; and etc.). Data conversion into maps was associated with a number of works (Blasi et al. 2009, 2011), methodical improvement of IPA criteria for a global approach to plant conservation (Darbyshire et al. 2017), and just a few were devoted to the transboundary IPAs (Shuka and Malo 2010; Shuka et al. 2014). The IPA research remains relevant due to the global loss of biodiversity and critical habitats around the world. Such critical habitats include the following regions: the tropics, with its high species diversity (https://www.kew.org/science/our-science/ projects/tropical-important-plant-areas; see also Darbyshire et al. 2019; Dani Sanchez et al. 2021; andect.); Europe, with its high level of floristic data (Sparrius et al. 2019); and Central Asia (Tojibaev et al. 2022), botanically poorly-known part of Asia. Due 60 Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev et al. / Nature Conservation 51: 13–70 (2023) to this, the IPA study carried out in the FV has some advantages. In particular, among the wide range of IPA studies, ours is one of the few that applied geospatial analysis of rare and threatened species for Red List assessment (Bachman et al. 2011). In addition, we provide detailed information on the botanical geography and taxonomy of species. Together, the information provided will contribute to the rapid dissemination of recent, easily accessible, data concerning understudied species and habitats, as well as the definition of practical boundaries (Blasi et al. 2011) in botanically poorly studied areas. Further research Although the current data on the plant diversity of Bozbu-Too-Ungortepa IPA is satisfactory, the next stage requires extensive botanical research in the following areas: (1) comprehensive surveys to build up a basic inventory of the plants in the area based on grid mapping; (2) vegetation studies to determine and map the major vegetation types; and (3) targeted monitoring programs taking into account threats to rare habitats and species in the future. Lastly, any serious conservation planning within the Bozbu-Too and surrounding transboundary area should implement proper socio-economic research programs to examine ways to engage local stakeholders (Margules and Pressey 2000). Conclusion The second phase of IPA research in the FV shows the effectiveness of the basic principles of IPA in the conditions of mountainous Central Asia. In contrast to the previous stage, here we explored a transboundary territory by combining the efforts of scientists in two neighboring countries (Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan). This is an important step in the creation of a regional database of rare and endangered species, as well as in that of a regional Red list, which can serve to focus conservation action at the transboundary level. Continuing studies, such as these in transboundary areas, contribute to increasing the level of floristic knowledge in poorly studied areas. Furthermore, the studies would attract the attention of government environmental organizations as well as international organizations at the global scale, to the conservation of threatened species and critical habitats. Capacity building requires the standardization of approaches, extensive field research on both potentially threatened species and critical habitats, as well as new research into the causes of plant habitat degradation. Acknowledgements This work was supported by research grants from the Korea National Arboretum (project no. KNA1-1-26, 20-1) and in the framework of scientific programs of the National Herbarium of Uzbekistan (TASH). It is also a part of the scientific program, Important plant areas in the Fergana Valley 61 Grid mapping of the flora of mountainous regions of southern Uzbekistan, funded by the government of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The authors are grateful to the TASH, FRU, MW, and LE herbarium curators. The authors would also like to thank anonymous reviewers for their insights that helped improve the manuscript. References Abdullaeva MH (1987) Scutellaria L. Conspectus Florae Asiae Mediae, vol. 9. Tashkent, 13– 37. [In Russian] Abdusalamova LN (1978) Oxytropis DC. 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