Diversity and distribution of endemic and threatened plant species in the Sorkhabad Protected Area, Zanjan, NW Iran and identification of the biodiversity hotspots in the area

Protected areas are a mainstay of biodiversity conservation. All over the world, plant is at risk and every year number threatened species increases dramatically. Many these endemic. Sorkhabad Area situated in Zanjan Province, NW Iran, located Irano-Anatolian global hotspot. The aim this study to investigate endemic vascular species, classify local rarity identify hotspots them area. 81 belonging 59 genera within 22 families 116 86 46 were collected from Fabaceae with 16 Asteraceae 14 two largest Astragalus L. 13 genus terms species. degree endemism 15.2 percent. distribution map was prepared using ArcGIS 10.3. richness identified, occupying all told 50,709 ha (41.35%) Area. Identifying will help obtain proper management program consequently preserve