First floristic investigation in archaeological sites of Iran: features and plant richness of the Pasargadae World Heritage Site

Archaeological areas often become hotspots for biodiversity and refugia for plant species. The management activity of a site permits the conservation of natural habitats. This first contribution to the floristic assessment of an Iranian archaeological site, aims to preserve its natural values. The Pasargadae World Heritage Site (sixth century BC) located at the border between the Zagros mountains and the Irano-Turanian region, showed a richness of 244 species, belonging to 38 families and 163 genera. The most represented families are Asteraceae (56), Poaceae (34) and Fabaceae (22). Herbaceous species represented 90% of the flora [therophytes (42%), hemicryptophytes (39%) and geophytes (9%)]. Asiatic, Irano-Turanian and Mediterranean species are the most recurrent species with a high component of endemic ones. Astragalus ghashghaicus, Taraxacum plicatulum, Acantholimon serotinum and Linaria farsensis were among the more interesting floristic elements. The comparison with past data, even if limited in quantity, indicated a good floristic conservation status. This research also showed the need to deepen our knowledge of the taxonomic features of this Iranian flora, sometimes still resulting in an ambiguous or unresolved status. The collected floristic data will help in elaborating management protocols, to enhance the cultural and natural value of the site.