“According to the latest versions of the International Union for Conservation of Environment (IUCN), endangered plants in the world’s flora are being studied by researchers. Russia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, as well as Azerbaijan have already put forward practical proposals for the writing of “Red Books” belonging to the regions, or books have been written and submitted. In our turn, we prepare the “Red Book” of Azerbaijan every 10 years.

Director of the Institute of Botany of ANAS, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Sayyara Ibadullayeva said it to APA.

The director noted that botanists are currently preparing lists of rare, endemic, subendemic and endangered species by region:

“I can say that more than 100 species will be added to the new list. They are known as the only places of distribution in the republic. For example, there are 39 species limited to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, 28 species from the northeast of the Lesser Caucasus, and new lists prepared by individual experts which are also being discussed. Professor Aydin Asgarov mentions 140 endemic and 228 subendemic (ie found in border countries) plants belonging to the flora of Azerbaijan, of which only 53 species are included in the second edition of the “Red Book”. Each of the endemic plants, especially grass plants, needs protection. Although some trees and shrubs are endemic because they form forests, they may not be included in the red list.

It is also recommended to remove 4 species from the second edition of the book. These are Salsola tragus, Solenanthus circinnatus, Pyrus salicifolia, and also Smyrniopsis aucheri, which is widespread only in the Shahbuz region of Nakhchivan.

S. Ibadullayeva noted that the number of plants to be included in the new publication is not yet clear:

“This number is not yet exact, but I can say that 39 species were not included in the first edition. In addition, 33 species from the Ganja-Gazakh region and rare species with a limited distribution in center Karabakh are expected to be published in the new edition. Of course, we are not able to inspect the territory of Karabakh yet, but after demining, these areas should be reexamined. In any case, species belonging to unique flora, which is the only center of distribution, must be protected. This number will be fully clarified as a result of multi-year researches, herbarium materials collected from the area by various botanists, works in this field, especially monographs and desk study of herbarium materials collected by us personally. The number of plants to be included in the third edition will double”.

The director said that 121 species of plants in Karabakh were not included in the first or second edition of the Red Book. “For the first time, it is planned to include these species, as well as species such as Thymus hymalis, Helosciadium nodiflorum encountered only in one area in Nakhchivan to the new edition”.

According to her, work is under process on the “Red Book|” under the leadership of academician Irada Huseynova:
“We have gathered several times as a working group, and discussions are being held by the staff of the Institute of Botany, other institutes of ANAS working in the field of botany, as well as botanists working in the regions.

Each specialist presented his chosen species. Corresponding member of ANAS on primary plants Vagif Novruzov, Dilzara Agayeva on mycology, Sevda Alverdiyeva on Lichenbriology, Corresponding member of ANAS, professor Elshad Gurbanov at Baku State University, Academician of Nakhchivan AR Tariyel Talibov and professor Aliyar Ibrahimov, employees of Dendrology and Central Botanical Garden of ANAS on trees and shrubs, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Vugar Karimov and others have done work in this area.

Each species will be discussed at a general meeting and a book will be prepared. I would also like to note that Professor Aydin Asgarov, who has a special service in the first edition, has compiled a Red List of moss species to be included in the third edition, not only for Azerbaijan, but also for the flora of the Caucasus.

We have already prepared the lists for the first reading. I would like to note that the staff of the Institute of Botany, including me, have been conducting field research and expeditions for two years. The current state of the plants have been assessed by us. Assessments on the international list were also made, new photos were prepared and maps were compiled.”

Note that the third edition of the “Red Book” will be published in 2023.