Over half of the world’s assessed wild tulip species are threatened with extinction, with many found in Central Asia. Of the 62 species assessed for the IUCN Red List, 32 are threatened.
Central Asia’s Tien Shan and Pamir-Alay mountain systems are identified as the richest region for tulip diversity on Earth. Researchers have classified five species as critically endangered, seven as endangered, 15 as vulnerable, and 14 as near threatened.
The primary threats to wild tulips are livestock overgrazing and climate change, which can damage bulbs, prevent seed production, and alter habitats. Other factors include mining, infrastructure development, and overharvesting of bulbs.
Source: Mongabay