Authors: Dekhkonov, D., Asatulloev, T., Akbarov, F., Umida, T., Lorenzo, P., & Tojibaev, K. S.
Abstract: In light of the ongoing biodiversity crisis, appropriate conservation strategies are urgently needed. The steadily increasing anthropogenic pressure on nature in Central Asian countries seriously threatens the fate of local species and their habitats. Here, we analyze the threats to the genus Tulipa (Liliaceae) in Uzbekistan and propose an appropriate conservation strategy based on field surveys, observations and literature review. Among the threats evidenced for these species, the most relevant are overgrazing, land use, urbanization, and fragmentation. Analysis of Tulipa distribution in Uzbekistan revealed that 27 species of Tulipa occur in 19 protected areas. Among them, the most important are Ugam-Chatkal State National Natural Park, Chatkal State Biosphere Reserve, Hissar and Surkhan State Nature Reserves, harboring 10, 9, 9 and 8 species respectively. However, 8 species (of which five species are red-listed) occur in unprotected areas. In addition to the two major conservation approaches, in situ and ex situ, civic awareness is proposed as a third important conservation component. Besides, home garden conservation is proposed as an effective tool for conservation of Tulipa that requires support from the government.