Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Alborz Mountain Range

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Plant Biogeography and Vegetation of High Mountains of Central and South-West Asia

Part of the book series: Plant and Vegetation ((PAVE,volume 17))

Abstract

The Alborz is one of the richest mountain ranges in SW Asia in terms of plant diversity which is mainly due to the heterogeneous topography, climate and wide elevational range. It lies at the intersection of two major phytogeographical regions, as well as two global biodiversity hotspots. A total of 3617 vascular plant species are known from this mountain range and the rate of endemism is ca. 10%. The elevational distribution of vascular plants ranges from 26 m below sea level up to 4850 m above sea level. Different vegetation types can be found on the north and south faces and at different elevational zones. Hyrcanian forests, montane steppe shrublands, wetlands, gypsophilous communities, Juniper woodlands, chasmophytic communities, subalpine tall herb umbelliferous communities, alpine and subnival communities are among the major vegetation types of this mountain range. The Alborz has a high conservation priority due to the high concentration of rare species and at the same time it experiences very intensive land-use and other human activities which threaten its unique and diverse flora.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

ES:

Euro-Siberian

IT:

Irano-Turanian

M:

Mediterranean

SS:

Saharo-Sindian

References

  • Akhani H (1998) Plant biodiversity of Golestan National Park, Iran. Stapfia 53:1–411

    Google Scholar 

  • Akhani H, Djamali M, Ghorbanalizadeh A, Ramezani E (2010) Plant biodiversity of Hyrcanian relict forests, N Iran: An overview of the flora, vegetation, palaeoecology and conservation. Pak J Bot 42:231–258

    Google Scholar 

  • Akhani H, Mahdavi P, Noroozi J, Zarrinpour V (2013) Vegetation patterns of the Irano-Turanian steppe along a 3,000 m altitudinal gradient in the Alborz mountains of northern Iran. Folia Geobot 48(2):229–255. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12224-012-9147-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berberian M, King GCP (1981) Towards a paleogeography and tectonic evolution of Iran. Can J Earth Sci 18(2):210–265. https://doi.org/10.1139/e81-019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boissier E (1842–1859) Diagnoses plantarum orientalium novarum 1–3. Lipsiae, apud B. Herrmann, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • Boissier E (1867–1884) Flora Orientalis, sive enumeratio plantarum in Oriente a Graecie et Aegypto ad Indiae fines hucusque observaturum, vol. 1–5. Genevae et Basileae.: H. Georg, Bibliopolam

    Google Scholar 

  • Browicz K (1989) Chorology of the Euxinian and Hyrcanian element in the woody flora of Asia. Plant Syst Evol 162(1):305–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00936923

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buhse F (1899a) Flora des Alburs und der Kaspischen Südküste. Bisherige Forschungsergebnisse aus diesem Gebiet. WF Häcker, Riga: Arbeiten des Naturforscher-Vereins zu Riga. Neue Folge. 8. Heft

    Google Scholar 

  • Buhse F (1899b) Reisebemerkungen aus dem östlichen Albursgebirge in Persien Bulletin de la Société impériale des naturalistes de Moscou 34:363–383

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunge A (1860) Die Russische Expedition nach Chorassan in den Jahren 1858 und 1859. Petermanns Geogr Mitt 6:205–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson J, Hassanzadeh J, Berzins R et al (2004) The geology of Damavand volcano, Alborz Mountains, northern Iran. Geol Soc Am Bull 116:16–29. https://doi.org/10.1130/B25344.1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Djamali M (2008) Palaeoenvironmental changes in Iran during the last two climatic cycles (vegetation-climate-anthropisation). Unpublished PhD thesis. University of Paul Cézanne, Marseille

    Google Scholar 

  • Djamali M, Akhani H, Khoshravesh R et al (2011) Application of the Global Bioclimatic Classification to Iran: implications for understanding the modern vegetation and biogeography. Ecol Mediterr 37:91–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Eftekhari T, Asadi M (2001) Identification and classification of Gypsy flora in the west area of Semnan Province. Biaban 6(2):87–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrigno JG (1991) Glaciers of the Middle East and Africa – glaciers of Iran. In: Williams RS, Ferrigno JG (eds) Satellite image atlas of glaciers of the world. United States Government Printing Office, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey W, Kürschner H, Probst W (1999) Flora and vegetation, including plant species and larger vegetation complexes in Persia. In: Yarshater E (ed) Encyclopaedia Iranica, 10th edn. Mazda Publishers, Costa Mesa, pp 43–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Gholizadeh H, Naqinezhad A, Chytrý M (2020) Classification of the Hyrcanian forest vegetation, northern Iran. Appl Veg Sci 23:107–126. https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilli A (1939a) Die Pflanzengesellschaften der Hochregion des Elbursgebirges in Nordiran, Beih. Bot Zentralbl 59(B):317–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilli A (1939b) Neue Arten und Varietäten aus dem Elbursgebirge in Nord-Iran. Feddes Repert 46:43–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilli A (1941a) Ein Beitrag zur Flora des Elburs-Gebirge in Nord-Iran. Feddes Repert 50:263–283

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilli A (1941b) Vegetationsbilder aus der Hochregion des Elbursgebirges in Nordiran. In: Walter H (ed) Vegetationsbilder 26. Reihe Heft 1 Tafel. Fischer, Jena, pp 1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Guest B, Guest A, Axen G (2007) Late Tertiary tectonic evolution of northern Iran: A case for simple crustal folding. Glob Planet Chang 58:435–453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2007.02.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamzeh’ee B, Naqinezhad A, Attar F et al (2008) Phytosociological survey of remnant Alnus glutinosa ssp barbata communities in the lowland Caspian forests of northern Iran. Phytocoenologia 38:117–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedge IC, Wendelbo P (1978) Patterns of distribution and endemism in Iran. Notes Roy Bot Gard Edinburgh 36:441–464

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson J, McKenzie D (1984) Active tectonics of the Alpine–Himalayan Belt between western Turkey and Pakistan. Geophys J R Astron Soc 77(1):185–264. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.1984.tb01931.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamrani A, Jalili A, Naqinezhad A et al (2011) Relationships between environmental variables and vegetation across mountain wetland sites, N Iran. Biologia 66(1):76–87. https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-010-0127-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamrani A, Naqinezhad A, Jalili A, Attar F (2010) Environmental gradients across wetland vegetation groups in the arid slopes of Western Alborz mountains, N Iran. Acta Soc Bot Pol 4:295–304

    Google Scholar 

  • Karimi A, Jones K (2020) Assessing national human footprint and implications for biodiversity conservation in Iran. Ambio. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01305-8

  • Khalili A (1973) Precipitation patterns of central Elburz. Archiv für Meteorologie, Geophysik und Bioklimatologie Serie B 21(2):215–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein JC (1982a) Les groupements chionophiles de l’Alborz central (Iran). Comparaison avec leurs homologues d’Asie centrale. Phytocoenologia 10:463–486

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein JC (1982b) Un groupement rupicole de l’ Alborz central (Iran): le Saxifragetum iranicae ass. nov. Documents phytosociologiques 6:191–201

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein JC (1984) Les groupements végétaux d’altitude de l’Alborz central (Iran). – Ecologie des milieux montagnards et de haute altitude. Documents d’Ecologie Pyrénéenne 3–5:199–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein JC (1987) Les pelouses xérophiles d’altitude du flanc sud de l’Alborz central (Iran). Phytocoenologia 15:253–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein JC (1988) Les groupements à grandes ombellifères et à xérophytes orophiles: Essai de synthèse à l’échelle de la région irano-touranienne. Phytocoenologia 16:1–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein JC (1991) Endémisme à l’étage alpin de l’Alborz (Iran). Flora Vegetatio Mundi 9:247–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein JC (2001) La végétation altitudinale de L’Alborz central (Iran). Institut Français de Recherche en Iran (Téhéran)

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein JC, Lacoste A (1989) Les chênaies à Quercus macranthera F. & M. dans le massif de l’Alborz (Iran) et les chaînes limitrophes (Grand et Petit Caucase). Ecol Mediterr 15:65–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein JC, Lacoste A (1994) Les pelouses subalpines (Alchemilleatum plicatissimae ass. nov.) de l’Alborz central (Iran): ultime avanée sud-orientale de l’aire des Festuco-Brometea Br.-Bl. et Tx. 1943. Phytocoenologia 24:401–421

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein JC, and Lacoste, A (2001[“1999”]) Observation sur la végétation des éboulis dans les massifs irano-touraniens: le Galietum aucheri ass. nov. de l’Alborz central (N-Iran). Documents Phytosociologiques 19:219–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Körner C (2003) Alpine Plant Life – Functional plant ecology of high mountain ecosystems. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Körner C (2011) Coldest places on earth with angiosperm plant life. Alp Bot 121(1):11–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00035-011-0089-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kotschy T (1861a) Der westliche Elbrus bei Teheran. Mitt Österr Bodenkdl Ges 5:65–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Kotschy T (1861b) Die Vegetation des westlichen Elbrus in Nordpersien. Österr Botsch Zagreb 11(4):105–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Kürschner H, Parolly G, Raab-Straube E (1998) Phytosociological studies on high mountain plant communities of the Taurus Mountains (Turkey) 3. Snow-patch and meltwater communities. Feddes Repert 109:581–616

    Google Scholar 

  • Léonard J (1991/1992) Contribution à l’étude de la flore et de la végétation des déserts d’Iran. Étude de la végétation: analyse phytosociologique et phytochorologique des groupments végétaux. Fascicule 10 Meise, Jardin botanique national de Belgique

    Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Del Tredici P (2008) The Chinese Parrotia: a sibling species of the Persian Parrotia. Arnoldia 66:2–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahdavi P, Akhani H, Van der Maarel E (2013) Species diversity and life-form patterns in steppe vegetation along a 3000 m altitudinal gradient in the Alborz Mountains, Iran. Folia Geobot 48(1):7–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12224-012-9133-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manafzadeh S, Salvo G, Conti E (2014) A tale of migrations from east to west: the Irano-Turanian floristic region as a source of Mediterranean xerophytes. J Biogeogr 41(2):366–379. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.12185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manafzadeh S, Staedler YM, Conti E (2017) Visions of the past and dreams of the future in the Orient: the Irano-Turanian region from classical botany to evolutionary studies. Biol Rev 92(3):1365–1388. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12287

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meusel H, Jäger E, Weinert E et al (1965–1992) Vergleichende Chorologie der Zentraleuropäischen Flora. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena

    Google Scholar 

  • Mittermeier RA, Turner WR, Larsen FW, Brooks TM, Gascon C (2011) Global biodiversity conservation: the critical role of hotspots. In: Zachos FE, Habel JC (eds) Biodiversity hotspots: distribution and protection of conservation priority aeas. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 3–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore M, Poveda JF, Douglas N et al (2014) The ecology, evolution and assembly of gypsophile flor as. In: Rajakaruna N, Boyd RS, Harris TB (eds) Plant ecology and evolution in harsh environments. Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge, pp 97–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Moradi H, Naqinezhad A, Siadati S et al (2016) Elevational gradient and vegetation-environmental relationships in the central Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran. Nor J Bot 34(1):1–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/njb.00535

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naderi R, Rahiminejad MR, Eslami B et al (2012) Flora and vegetation of Golestanak (Alborz Mts), Iran. Phytol Balc 18(1):59–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Naqinezhad A, Attar F, Jalili A et al (2010) Plant biodiversity of wetland habitats in dry steppes of Central Alborz. Aust J Basic Appl Sci 4(2):321–333

    Google Scholar 

  • Naqinezhad A, Esmailpoor A (2017) Flora and vegetation of rocky outcrops/cliffs near the Hyrcanian forest timberline in the Mazandaran mountains, northern Iran. Nord J Bot 35(4):449–466. https://doi.org/10.1111/njb.01384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naqinezhad A, Jalili A, Attar F et al (2009) Floristic characteristics of the wetland sites on dry southern slopes of the Alborz Mts., N. Iran: the role of altitude in floristic composition. Flora 204(4):254–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2008.02.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noroozi J (2005) Phytosociological study of alpine zone of Tuchal Mountains, northern Tehran, Iran. MSc thesis, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Google Scholar 

  • Noroozi J, Akhani H, Breckle S-W (2008) Biodiversity and phytogeography of the alpine flora of Iran. Biodivers Conserv 17(3):493–521. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-007-9246-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noroozi J, Akhani H, Willner W (2010) Phytosociological and ecological study of the high alpine vegetation of Tuchal Mountains (Central Alborz, Iran). Phytocoenologia 40(4):293–321. https://doi.org/10.1127/0340-269X/2010/0040-0478

  • Noroozi J, Körner C (2018) A bioclimatic characterization of high elevation habitats in the Alborz mountains of Iran. Alp Bot 128(1):1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00035-018-0202-9

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Noroozi J, Moser D, Essl F (2016) Diversity, distribution, ecology and description rates of alpine endemic plant species from Iranian mountains. Alp Bot 26(1):1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00035-015-0160-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noroozi J, Naqinezhad A, Talebi A et al (2019a) Hotspots of vascular plant endemism in a global biodiversity hotspot in Southwest Asia suffer from significant conservation gaps. Biol Conserv 237:299–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.07.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noroozi J, Talebi A, Doostmohammadi M et al (2019b) Endemic diversity and distribution of the Iranian vascular flora across phytogeographical regions, biodiversity hotspots and areas of endemism. Sci Rep 9:12991. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-49417-1

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Noroozi J, Pauli H, Grabherr G, Breckle S-W (2011) The subnival–nival vascular plant species of Iran: a unique high-mountain flora and its threat from climate warming. Biodivers Conserv 20(6):1319–1338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-011-0029-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noroozi J, Talebi A, Doostmohammadi M et al (2018) Hotspots within a global biodiversity hotspot – areas of endemism are associated with high mountain ranges. Sci Rep 8(1):10345. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-28504-9

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Noroozi J, Willner W, Pauli H, Grabherr G (2014) Phytosociology and ecology of the high-alpine to subnival scree vegetation of N and NW Iran (Alborz and Azerbaijan Mts.). Appl Veg Sci 17(1):142–161. https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pérez-García FJ, Akhani H, Parsons RF et al (2018) A first inventory of gypsum flora in the Palearctic and Australia. Mediterr Bot 39(1):35–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Quezel P (1973) Contribution a l’etude phytosociologique du massif du Taurus. Phytocoenologia 1:131–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Rabizadeh F, Zare-Maivan H, Kazempour S (2018) Endemic gypsophytes composition delimitated by soil properties and altitude: From calciphytes to halophytes in the south–central Alborz Ranges. Nord J Bot 36(8):e01568. https://doi.org/10.1111/njb.01568

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rastin N (1983) Vegetationskundliche Untersuchungen in Hochwaldresten der Kaspischen Ebene. Phytocoenologia 11(2):245–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Ravanbakhsh H, Hamzeh’ee B, Etemad V, Marvie Mohadjer MR, Assadi M (2016) Phytosociology of Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb forests in Alborz mountain range in the north of Iran. Plant Biosyst 150(5):987–1000. https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2014.1000420

  • Rivas-Martínez S, Sánchez-Mata D, Costa M (1999) Boreal and western Temperate forest vegetation (syntaxonomical synopsis of the potential natural plant communities of North America II). Itinera Geobot 12:3–311

    Google Scholar 

  • Sagheb Talebi K, Sajedi T, Pourhashemi M (2014) Forests of Iran, a treasure from the past, a hope for the future. Springer, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Siadati S, Moradi H, Attar F et al (2013) Botanical diversity of Hyrcanian forests; a case study of a transect in the Kheyrud protected lowland mountain forests in northern Iran. Phytotaxa 7:1–18. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.7.1.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon J, Shulkina T, Schatz GE (2013) Red list of the Endemic Plants of the Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Russia, and Turkey. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, Saint Louis

    Google Scholar 

  • Stöcklin J (1968) Structural history and tectonics of Iran; a review. AAPG Bull 52(7):1229–1258

    Google Scholar 

  • Stöcklin J (1974) Northern Iran: “Alborz Mountains. Mesozoic-Cenozoic Orogenic Belts. Data for orogenic studies”. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 4:213–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Takhtajan A (1986) Floristic regions of the world. Univeristy of California Press, Berkeley

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorne RF (1972) Major disjunctions in the geographic ranges of seed plants. Q Rev Biol 47(4):365–411. https://doi.org/10.1086/407399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanderplank SE, Moreira-Munoz A, Hobohm C et al (2014) Endemism in mainland regions – case studies. In: Hobohm C (ed) Endemism in vascular plants. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 205–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Wendelbo P (1971) Some distributional patterns within the Flora Iranica Areas. In: Davis PH, Harper PC, Hedge IC (eds) Plant life of south-west Asia, Botanical Society of Edinburgh, pp 29–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Zohary M (1973) Geobotanical foundations of the Middle East 2. Gustav Fischer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

We are very thankful to Dr. Wolfgang Willner and Dr. Franz Essl for their valuable comments to the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Jalil Noroozi

  2. School of Biology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Amir Talebi

  3. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

    Moslem Doostmohammadi

Authors
  1. Jalil Noroozi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Amir Talebi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Moslem Doostmohammadi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jalil Noroozi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Jalil Noroozi

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Noroozi, J., Talebi, A., Doostmohammadi, M. (2020). The Alborz Mountain Range. In: Noroozi, J. (eds) Plant Biogeography and Vegetation of High Mountains of Central and South-West Asia. Plant and Vegetation, vol 17. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45212-4_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation