Expanding the knowledge about Aflatunia ulmifolia (Franch.) Vassilcz. (Rosaceae), a rare forest species of Central Asia

Kirillov V. Stikhareva T. Ivashchenko A. Sitpayeva G. Kuliyev A. Serafimovich M. Daulenova M. Zholdasbayev M.
2022 Taylor and Francis Ltd.

Botany Letters
2022 #169 Issue 1 71 - 82 pp.

Aflatunia ulmifolia (Franch.) Vassilcz. is a rare, poorly studied species from the Rosaceae Juss family. Its natural distribution range is limited to Central Asia (Western Tien Shan, Pamir-Alay, Dzhungarskiy and Kirghiz Alatau). Information on the current state of natural plant communities with the participation of A. ulmifolia, the introduction potential, and the methods of conservation of the species is limited. The aim of our study was to improve information about A. ulmifolia, by verifying its current distribution range, both in natural habitats and in places where it is introduced, and analyze the major ecological, morphological and biological characteristics of the species. We produced the most up-to-date species distribution map showing both natural and introduced populations of A. ulmifolia. For the first time, we provide a comprehensive list of tree and shrub species co-occurring with A. ulmifolia in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. We present detailed information on the successful introduction of A. ulmifolia in nine European and Asian countries. Although the species is not of immediate conservation concern, it might become vulnerable to extinction if its distribution range continues to shrink because of anthropogenic impact and natural disturbances. We argue for the development of effective conservation strategies for A. ulmifolia in nature and for the creation of stable introduction populations of this species in botanical gardens and arboretums.

Aflatunia ulmifolia , conservation , endemic , introduction , natural distribution

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Department of Breeding, A.N. Bukeikhan Kazakh Research Institute of Forestry and Agroforestry, Shchuchinsk, Kazakhstan
Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, Committee of Forestry and Wildlife, Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Laboratory of Silviculture, Scientific and Production Center for Forest Research Named after P.A. Gan of the Institute of Biology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Department of Plant Physiology, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Biology, Ecology, Soil Science, Agriculture, and Forestry, National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
School of Pharmacy, Karaganda Medical University, Karaganda, Kazakhstan

Department of Breeding
Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan
Laboratory of Plant Resources
Laboratory of Silviculture
Department of Plant Physiology
School of Pharmacy

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