Biodiversity Hotspot of the Irano-Anatolian Region

As biodiversity across the globe declines at an alarming rate due to anthropogenic pressures, the Biodiversity Hotspots of the World series provides a critical scientific record of the planet’s most ecologically significant and vulnerable regions. Each volume delivers a focused, multidisciplinary examination of a designated hotspot—capturing its unique biological richness while addressing the urgent need for conservation.

This volume explores the Irano-Anatolian Region, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot spanning Southwest Asia, including parts of Türkiye, Iran, Iraq, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkmenistan. Characterized by dramatic tectonic landscapes—such as the Zagros and Alborz mountain ranges and the Armenian Highlands—the region supports a remarkable diversity of habitats and species. Its complex topography and climatic variation have fostered high levels of endemism, including specialized flora such as halophytic plants and a wide array of endemic orchids, many of which face increasing threats.

The volume presents a comprehensive overview of the region’s geography, geology, and climate, alongside in-depth analyses of its biological diversity. Coverage spans cyanobacteria, macrofungi, phytoplankton and zooplankton, bryophytes and pteridophytes, fish, soils, and more, offering a holistic understanding of ecosystem structure and function. The volume also addresses the accelerating impacts of climate change, as well as ongoing threats from overgrazing, deforestation, wetland degradation, military activity, and land-use change.

As part of this authoritative series, the book serves as a valuable resource for documenting existing biodiversity while informing future research and conservation strategies. It stands as an essential reference for those engaged in conservation biology, ecology, and environmental science, as well as policymakers seeking to better understand and protect this ecologically critical region.