THE IRISES STILL EXIST: THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF SPECIES IRIS SECTION ONCOCYCLUS IN ISRAEL, A CENTURY AFTER THEIR DESCRIPTION

Abstract

The changes in the distribution of the species fri,'i section Om;ocyclus in Israel during the last hundred years are described, according to the following chronological stages: the deterioration phase (1876-1953); the arrest phase (1954-1970); the restoration and stabilisation phase (1971 to present). Ten narrow endemic taxa of the section (c. 25%) are distributed in Israel, the only area in the Middle East in which the species are genuinely protected. Field studies revealed that at present they occur in no more than 10-28 quadrates of 1 km2 area per species. Therefore, their conservation status, according to IUCN categories, is determined as "Endangered" (En). Even jf the law today protects all Iris species in IsmeI,45-95% of the populations of each taxon are not practically conserved within official reserves. The highly endangered taxa Iris atropurpurea and Iris hieruchamensis are represented by small-sized reserves of less than I km2 area. Recommendations for future protection and conservation activities are presented.