Astragalus squarrosus | UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants

Taxa
Astragalus squarrosus | Bunge
Publication
UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Off
Scope (Assessment)
National
Taxon
Taxonomic Group
Plants
Taxonomic Group Level 2
Flowering Plants
Assessed taxon level
Species
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Within the UAE, this species occurs along the Arabian Gulf coast within the north of the country (Jongbloed et al. 2003), including from Jebel Ali, northwards to Umm al-Quwain. The estimated EOO is 1,885 km<sup>2</sup> and the species is considered to occur within two threat-based locations. The native range of this species spans from the Arabian Peninsula to central Asia and Pakistan (Board of Trustees, RBG Kew 2019).
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
It is a perennial species that can grow up to 0.5 m in height (Jongbloed et al. 2003). It produces oval leaves with pointed tips, pink flowers between February and April and egg shaped seed pods (Jongbloed et al. 2003). The entire plant is also covered in fine white hairs (Jongbloed et al. 2003). Astragalus squarrosus typically grows within sand dunes (Jongbloed et al. 2003).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Endangered
Assessment status abreviation
EN
Assessment status criteria
B1ab(iii)
Assessment rationale/justification
This species occurs in Umm al-Quwain and Jebel Ali along the Arabian Gulf Coast of the UAE. These coastal areas are currently undergoing development for residential, commercial and industrial purposes. As a result, this species' habitat is reducing in extent and quality. In addition, the species has a relatively restricted range, with an estimated EOO of 1,885 km<sup>2</sup> and two locations. Therefore, it is assessed as Endangered.
About the assessment
Assessment year
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Affliation of assessor(s)/contributors/reviewers listed on assessment
Government
IGO
Assessor affiliation specific
Government|IGO
Criteria system
Criteria system specifics
IUCN v3.1 + Regional Guidelines v4.0
Criteria system used
IUCN
Criteria Citation
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Endemism
Endemic to region
Not_assigned
Endemism Notes
Is an endemic?: Not_assigned
Conservation
Threats listed in assessment
Known localities of this species, including Jebel Ali, have been highly developed as result of ongoing coastal development in the UAE. For example, a specific site where this species was previously found has now been converted into a golf course.
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Further information
History
Coastal development within the UAE has been increasing in frequency and intensity since 1996, reducing the extent and quality of available habitat for this species.
Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Astragalus squarrosus Plantae Tracheophyta Magnoliopsida Fabales Fabaceae Astragalus