Changes in distribution and structure of wild Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae) populations during the last decade in Armenia and implications for conservation

Armenia has a rich flora of ca. 3600 plant species (ca. 50% of the entire Caucasian flora), distributed across (semi)desert, steppe, forest and alpine landscapes. Native plant biodiversity and conservation status of these species, particularly those with economic value, needs further assessment [1]. Anthropogenic threats to biodiversity (overpopulation, deforestation and urbanization) have simultaneously hindered research and increased the need for it. Of the ca. 500 species with medicinal/economic use records, ca. 50 are used in folk medicine, including both wild-collected (e.g. Crataegus sp., Hypericum perforatum) and cultivated (e.g. Chamomilla recutita, Mentha piperita) species [2]. Only limited information, however, on genetic biodiversity, population structure, and conservation status of these species is available. From 2006–2009, field studies were conducted to re-locate wild Origanum vulgare L. populations based on historical records, and discover new populations. The growth, phenological and habitat characteristics, population size and location (GPS mapping), were assessed. Historical records indicated that this species occurred widely in the central/northern regions, but nearly half the populations had vanished. Remaining populations diminished in size, plant number and experienced fragmentation during the study period. 3 new populations were located in the south/south-eastern regions, indicating that the abundance and distributional range is expanding here. Anthropogenic threats included: poor land management, increasing population pressure, and excessive collection of plants. This research provided baseline data for the development of ex situ and in vitro strategies to conserve unique genotypes, and assess the sustainability of wild populations according to IUCN Red Book Criteria, of this important species in Armenia.

References: 1. IUCN, WHO, WWF (1993). Guidelines on the Conservation of Medicinal Plants, IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, 50p.

2. Fayvush, G., Danielyan T., Nalbandyan A. (2004) Armenia as a producer of medicinal plants: possibilities and perspectives. Available online (accessed 12 April 2010): http://www.nature ic.am/NCSA/Publication/Medical_Plants_eng.pdf.