Global and regional IUCN Red List Assessments: 19

Global and regional IUCN Red List Assessments: 19 Giuseppe Fenu1, Natalya Yu. Beshko2, Ferdinando Branca3, Bekhruz S. Khabibullaev2, Vincenzo Ilardi4, Lorenzo Maggioni5, Khabibullo F. Shomurodov2, Simone Orsenigo6 1Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Viale S. Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123, Cagliari, Italy 2Laboratory of Conservation and Ecology of Plants, Institute of Botany Academy of Sciences of Republic Uzbekistan, 100125 Tashkent, Uzbekistan 3Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Catania, Italy 4Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy 5European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources, c/o Bioversity International, Rome, Italy 6Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via S. Epifanio 14, 27100, Pavia, Italy Corresponding author: Giuseppe Fenu ([email protected]) Academic editor: Lorenzo Peruzzi|Received 12 November 2025|Accepted 5 December 2025|Published 22 December 2025 Citation: Fenu G, Beshko NYu, Branca F, Khabibullaev BS, Ilardi V, Maggioni L, Shomurodov KF, Orsenigo S (2025) Global and regional IUCN Red List Assessments: 19. Italian Botanist 20: 187–200. https://doi.org/10.3897/ italianbotanist.20.177927 Abstract In this contribution, the conservation status assessment of three vascular plants according to IUCN categories and criteria are presented. It includes the assessment of Allium eremoprasum Vved., Allium svetlanae Vved. ex Filim. and Brassica trichocarpa C. Brullo, Brullo, Giusso & Ilardi at global level. Keywords Conservation, extinction risk, IUCN protocol, threats How to contribute The text of the global and regional assessments should be submitted electronically to Simone Orsenigo ([email protected]) or to Giuseppe Fenu ([email protected]); the text, up to 8000 characters in length (spaces included), must include a distribution map and a picture of the assessed species. Italian Botanist 20: 187–200 (2025) doi: 10.3897/italianbotanist.20.177927 https://italianbotanist.pensoft.net Copyright Giuseppe Fenu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. RED LIST ASSESSMENTS Giuseppe Fenu et al. / Italian Botanist 20: 187–200 (2025) 188 Red List Assessments Allium eremoprasum Vved. Global assessment Taxonomy and nomenclature Order: Asparagales Family: Amaryllidaceae Allium eremoprasum Vved., Bot. Mater. Gerb. Glavn. Bot. Sada R.S.F.S.R. 5: 92 (1924). Common name: Desert onion (En); лук пустынный (Rus); cho‘l piyozi (Uzb). Geographic distribution range: Allium eremoprasum (Fig. 1) is a bulbous perennial plant 10–25 cm tall. It is a national endemic of Uzbekistan with restricted distribution range and small, severely fragmented populations. This species is distributed in the central part of Uzbekistan, in Nurabad District of Samarkand Region and in Nurata and Khatyrchi Districts of Navoi Region, on the Aktau Range and Zirabulak mountains in the north-western branches of the Pamir-Alay mountain range (Vvedensky 1941, 1971; Khassanov 2016; Tojibaev et al. 2018, 2019; Khassanov et al. 2019). In total, only nine localities are known to date (Fig. 2). Figure 1. Allium eremoprasum Vved. and its habitat on the Aktau Range (Uzbekistan, Navoi Region). Photograph by N. Yu. Beshko. Global and regional IUCN Red List Assessments: 19 189 Distribution: Countries of occurrence: Uzbekistan. Biology: Plant growth form: perennial (geophyte). Flowering and fruiting time: flowering in May–June, fruiting in June–July (Vvedensky 1941, 1971; Khassanov 2016; Beshko 2020). Reproduction: Propagation by seeds and bulblets. The reproductive biology of this species has not been studied in detail. Habitat and ecology: Allium eremoprasum is an endemic stenotopic plant that grows on rock ledges and crevices, screes, dry stony slopes, on lithosols and calcic xerosoils, on various types of geological substrates, such as limestones, marbles, granites and schists. This species occurs in lower montane zone, at altitudes from 700 to 1,400–1,600 m a.s.l., in sparse chasmophytic communities (Nowak et al. 2025), together with other threatened subendemic representatives of the genus Allium L. (A. isakulii R.M.Fritsch & F.O.Khass., A. praemixtum Vved.), spiny almond (Prunus spinosissima (Bunge) Franch.), grasses (Bromus tectorum L., Stipa hohenackeriana Trin. & Rupr.), petrophytic perennials and subshrubs (Andrachne fedtschenkoi Kossinsky, Lepidium botschantsevianum Al-Shehbaz, Nepeta olgae Regel, Scutellaria immaculata Nevski ex Juz., Silene guntensis (B.Fedtsch.) B.Fedtsch. ex Schischk., etc.), annuals (Callipeltis cucullaris (L.) DC., Cerastium inflatum Gren., Lamium amplexicaule L., Minuartia meyeri (Boiss.) Bornm.), mosses and lichens. Figure 2. Geographic range and distribution map of Allium eremoprasum in Uzbekistan. The protected area of Aktau wildlife sanctuary is shown in green hatch. Giuseppe Fenu et al. / Italian Botanist 20: 187–200 (2025) 190 Population information: Allium eremoprasum occurs solitary or in small, isolated groups (3–6 to 20–30 individuals). Two subpopulations of the species are recognized: a smaller one in the Zirabulak Mountains and a larger one in the Aktau Range, separated by the geographical barrier of Zeravshan River valley, largely transformed since ancient times and occupied by irrigated arable lands and settlements, which prevents gene flow between the two subpopulations. The distance between these subpopulations is approximately 50–60 km. This plant inhabits steep rocky slopes, and the mountainous relief renders a significant portion of suitable habitats inaccessible for field surveys; therefore, only approximate estimates of population size can be made. Based on the data of our observations, the overall population of A. eremoprasum can be assessed at c. 300–500 mature individuals. No data are available on the demographic structure of this species’ populations, but habitat extent and quality, number of localities and population size are generally declining due to overgrazing, mining, quarrying, and other anthropogenic pressures. For example, after 1926, not a single occurrence record of this species was known from the Zirabulak Mountains, where it was first described. Thus, most likely the subpopulation on the Zirabulak Mountains is almost collapsed, and an estimated population decline is c. 20% in the past 100 years. Threats: 2.3 Livestock farming & ranching (2.3.1 Nomadic grazing and 2.3.2 Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming): Allium eremoprasum grows on steep rocky slopes inaccessible to livestock, except for goats; overgrazing is a minor direct threat for this species. 3 Energy production & mining (3.2 Mining & quarrying and 3.3 Renewable energy): there are deposits of gold and other minerals, marble, crushed stone and rubble quarries in the Zirabulak Mountains and Aktau Range, intensively developed by the government and private companies. An illegal gold mining by local people also occurs in this region. At the present, geological exploration, mining and quarrying represent the most serious direct threat for A. eremoprasum, because of the irreversible transformation of ecosystems, declining and loss of habitats and subpopulations of species. Due to mining and quarrying, a subpopulation on the Zirabulak Mountains (two locations) has nearly collapsed. Furthermore, the construction of a wind power plant is planned in the Zirabulak Mountains, and the large-scale construction works will lead to further declining of quality and extent of habitats, and the extinction of some populations of the species. 10 Geological events (10.3 Avalanches/landslides): a significant number of seedlings and young plants are eliminated as a result of mudflows. CRITERIA APPLIED Criterion B: EOO: 1,857.65 km2 calculated with a GeoCAT (Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool) software (Bachman et al. 2011). AOO: 40 km2 calculated with GeoCAT software using 2×2 km cells (Bachman et al. 2011). Global and regional IUCN Red List Assessments: 19 191 a) The geographic distribution range is severely fragmented in two subpopulations separated by a geographical barrier. b) Continuing decline, observed in extent of occurrence (i), area of occupancy (ii), extent and quality of habitat (iii), number of locations or subpopulations (iv) and number of mature individuals (v). Criterion C: Population size estimated at less than 2,500 mature individuals (the total population size is estimated at c. 300–500 mature individuals). 2a(i) Number of mature individuals in largest population is less than 250. Red List category and Criteria (Global Assessment) Rationale for the assessment: Allium eremoprasum is an endemic stenotopic species with restricted distribution range and with small and severely fragmented population. Although a significant part of this species’ population occurs in a protected area, it is affected by human activities such as mining, quarrying and livestock farming and a continuing decline of extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, quality of habitat, number of subpopulations and number of mature individuals is observed. The EOO is less than 5000 km2 and the AOO is less than 500 km2. The overall population size is estimated at c. 300–500 mature individuals and the number of mature individuals in largest population is less than 250. By applying the criteria B and C, this species meets the thresholds of the Endangered category (EN) at a global level. Previous assessment: The taxon has never been assessed at global level (IUCN 2025). Conservation actions: Allium eremoprasum is included in the last edition of the Red Data Book of Uzbekistan under category 2 (corresponding to IUCN category EN) (Khassanov et al., 2019). The significant part of the largest subpopulation of this species grows in the Aktau wildlife sanctuary, a protected area of IV category IUCN. This species has only recently been cultivated ex situ, and its seeds are not stored in any germplasm bank. Conservation actions needed: restriction or prohibition of mining and quarrying activities as well as goat grazing within the species’ habitat is recommended. Targeted research to improve understanding of the species’ reproductive biology, ecology, and population trends are urgent. Ex situ cultivation in botanical gardens and seed banking should be encouraged. Natalya Yu. Beshko, Bekhruz Sh. Khabibullaev, Khabibullo F. Shomurodov, Giuseppe Fenu EN Endangered EN B1ab(i, ii, iii, iv, v)+2ab(i, ii, iii, iv, v); C2a(i) Giuseppe Fenu et al. / Italian Botanist 20: 187–200 (2025) 192 Allium svetlanae Vved. ex Filim. Global assessment Taxonomy and nomenclature Order: Asparagales Family: Amaryllidaceae Allium svetlanae Vved. ex Filim., Bot. Mater. Gerb. Inst. Bot. Akad. Nauk Uzbeksk. S.S.R. 20: 40 (1982). Common name: Svetlana’s onion (En); лук Светланы (Rus); Svetlana piyozi (Uzb). Geographic distribution range: Allium svetlanae (Fig. 3) is a bulbous perennial plant 15–40(60) cm tall, usually grows in clusters. It is endemic of Uzbekistan and a narrow endemic to the Nuratau Range in the north-western branches of the Pamir-Alay mountain range (Khassanov 2016; Tojibaev et al. 2018; Beshko 2020; Volis and Beshko 2023). The only known population is confined to the middle reaches of the small river Ustuksay on the southern slope of the Nuratau Range, in Koshrabad District of Samarkand Region, outside of the strictly protected area of the Nuratau State Nature Reserve (Fig. 4). Distribution: Countries of occurrence: Uzbekistan. Biology: Plant growth form: perennial (geophyte). Flowering and fruiting time: flowering in June–July, fruiting in July–August (Filimonova 1982; Khassanov 2016; Beshko 2020). Reproduction: Propagation by seeds and bulblets. Reproductive biology of this species has not been studied in detail. Figure 3. Allium svetlanae Vved. ex Filim. from Nuratau Range (Uzbekistan, Samarkand Region). Photograph by N.Yu. Beshko. Global and regional IUCN Red List Assessments: 19 193 Habitat and Ecology: Allium svetlanae is an endemic plant that is confined to wet habitats and is intolerant of dry conditions. This plant inhabits a narrow rocky gorge with steep slopes, where it grows on damp nutrient-rich alluvial soils along mountain streams, near springs and on wet granite rocks, at altitudes from 1,200 to 1,500 m a.s.l. This species occurs in communities of spring and fen vegetation of the montane belt (Nowak et al. 2025), together with other hydrophilic species (Calamagrostis pseudophragmites (Haller f.) Koeler, Carex diluta M.Bieb., Juncus articulatus L., Mentha longifolia var. asiatica (Boriss.) Rech.f., etc.) and sometimes forms dense clumps. Population information: To date, a single population of A. svetlanae is known. The harsh topography makes a significant part of the population inaccessible for research. Therefore, only an approximate estimate of the overall population size can be made. Based on the data of the field studies performed in 2013, population size was estimated at c. 5,000–10,000 mature individuals (Beshko 2018; Volis and Beshko 2023). However, the surveys of 2024 and 2025 showed that the population has significantly decreased due to the reduction and degradation of mountain wetlands as a consequence of anthropogenic and climatic factors and currently consists of c. 2,500–3,000 plants. Thus, the population has declined of 54% in the number of individuals over the last 10 years. No data on the demographic structure of populations is available. Figure 4. Geographic range and distribution map of Allium svetlanae on the Nuratau Range (Uzbekistan). Giuseppe Fenu et al. / Italian Botanist 20: 187–200 (2025) 194 Threats: 2.3 Livestock farming & ranching (2.3.1 Nomadic grazing and 2.3.2 Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming): in Uzbekistan, livestock grazing is considered the main threat to rare species (Fenu et al. 2024). For a long time, the mountain pastures of the Nuratau Range are subject to excessive grazing. Although A. svetlanae grows in the gorge inaccessible to livestock, overgrazing is a serious indirect threat for this species, because it leads to soil erosion, changes in the hydrological regime, drying up of springs and decreasing in the flow of mountain streams, and, ultimately, to habitat degradation and loss. 3 Energy production & mining (3.2 Mining & quarrying): there are gold deposits in the Nuratau Range, which have been intensively studied and developed by the government and private companies, especially in recent years. Illegal gold mining by local people also occurs in the Ustuksay valley and its surroundings. Gold mining is the most serious direct threat for A. svetlanae, because it could lead to the irreversible loss of the entire population of this species. 10 Geological events (10.3 Avalanches/landslides): a significant number of seedlings and young plants are eliminated as a result of mudflows. 11 Climate change & severe weather (11.1 Habitat shifting & alteration and 11.2 Droughts): In Uzbekistan, droughts occur regularly (every several years). An analysis of long-term climatic data showed that the process of desertification has increased significantly in last decades. Climate aridization leads to drying up of springs and decreasing in the flow of watercourses, and to reduction and degradation of mountain wetlands. The results of species distribution modeling (SDM) demonstrate that a suitable range of A. svetlanae will decrease significantly with further climate aridization (scenario RCP8.5), and the extinction risk of this species will increase (Volis and Beshko 2023). As noted above, between 2013 and 2025, the population has declined by approximately half as a result of the combined effects of climate aridization, mining operations, and drying up of springs and streams due to extensive pasture load. CRITERIA APPLIED: Criterion A: the population experienced an observed decline of 54% in the number of individuals over the last 10 years. Criterion B: EOO: 12 km2 calculated with a GeoCAT (Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool) software (Bachman et al. 2011). AOO: 12 km2 calculated with GeoCAT software using 2×2 km cells (Bachman et al. 2011). a) Only one location is known. b) Continuing decline observed in extent and quality of habitat (iii) and number of mature individuals (v). Red List category and Criteria (Global Assessment) CR Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,v) Global and regional IUCN Red List Assessments: 19 195 Rationale for the assessment: Allium svetlanae is an endemic stenotopic species with restricted distribution range of which a single population is known, estimated at around 2,500–3,000 mature individuals. The only known population is affected by human activities as livestock farming and geological exploration, as well as by climate change and experienced a sharp reduction in the number of mature individuals. EOO and AOO both are 12 km². By applying the criterion B, considering that the EOO is less than 100 km², that a single population is known and the observed continuing decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals, this species meets quantitative requirements to be assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) at a global level. Previous assessment: The taxon has never been assessed at the global level (IUCN 2025). Conservation actions: Allium svetlanae has never been included in the Red Data Book of Uzbekistan (1984, 1998, 2006, 2009, 2019). This species is not protected in situ, has only recently been cultivated ex situ, and its seeds are not conserved in any germplasm bank. Ongoing initiatives, such as the “Digital Nature: Development of a digital platform for the flora and fauna of central Uzbekistan” project, are already being implemented to support research, monitoring, and conservation planning. Conservation actions needed: Expansion of the borders of the Nuratau Nature Reserve or establishment of a new protected area, as well as prohibition of mining and geological exploration in the only known location of the species are recommended. Moreover, regulation of pasture load would be advisable. Research to better understand the reproductive biology and ecology of the species, monitoring the population trends, and impact of climate change are urgently needed. Cultivation ex situ in botanical gardens and seed banking should be encouraged. Natalya Yu. Beshko, Bekhruz Sh. Khabibullaev, Khabibullo F. Shomurodov, Giuseppe Fenu Brassica trichocarpa C.Brullo, Brullo, Giusso & Ilardi Global assessment Taxonomy and nomenclature Order: Brassicales Family: Brassicaceae Brassica trichocarpa C.Brullo, Brullo, Giusso & Ilardi, Phytotaxa 122 (1): 45–60 (2013). Common name: Cavolo del Monte Cuccio (It). Geographic distribution range: Brassica trichocarpa (Fig. 5) was discovered in 2012 growing as an endemic plant species on a calcareous rocky ridge at 950 m a.s.l., near Monte Cuccio, within the municipality of Palermo (Italy) (Brullo et al. 2013; Fig. 6).