Geography, Climate, Landforms, Flora, Fauna, Vegetation
Location and Area
Touran National Park, located in Semnan Province in northeastern Iran, is the core of the larger Touran Biosphere Reserve. It is the second largest protected area in Iran and extends over an area of about 1.4 million hectares after Kavir National Park. The park covers desert, semi-arid steppe, and mountain, with altitudes between 700 meters to more than 2,200 meters above sea level. The varying altitudes lead to a multitude of ecosystems. Touran National Park is dubbed as “Iran’s Serengeti” because of its open space and available wildlife.
76 Years of a Rich National Parts History
It was originally established as a protected area in 1972, and was later designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. Touran National Park is a biological treasure that one of the most ecologically critical regions in Iran with unique desert-adapted species and important for conserving endangered species. The park, known for its diverse range of plant and animal life, is also particularly famous for being one of the last remaining habitats of the Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), a critically endangered subspecies of cheetah.
Habitat Diversity
Touran National Park protects a variety of habitats, which include:
Deserts and Semi-Deserts: Many of the vast sandy plains and dunes are part of the desert habitat to several species adapted to it, such as the sand gazelle and lizards.
Steppes: Plains covered in grass that are grassy pastures for herbivores like wild sheep and onagers
Mountain Ranges: Rocky highlands and cliffs provide refuge for predators such as leopards and nesting sites for raptors.
Salt Flats: The park is littered with arid salt flats and alkaline soils.
Water Sources: In this dry area, scattered waterholes and seasonal streams are essential to supporting life.
Flora
Over 450 plant species thrive in the desert climate of Touran National Park. Vegetation types include:
Halophytes: Salt resistant plants including tamarisk and salt wort.
Drought-adapted Shrubs: Such as Zygophyllum and Salsola.
Grasses and Annuals: That bloom temporarily after seasonal rains.
Medicinal Plants: Like cumin and tragacanth, which have cultural and economic importance
Fauna
Touran National Park is a refuge for a wide variety of desert-adapted wildlife, including some of Iran’s most-known and endangered species:
Mammals:
Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus): Touran is the last stronghold of this critically endangered subspecies.
Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor): Distributed in the mountains.
Persian Onager (Equus hemionus onager): The only wild ass present in the park and also rare.
Wild Sheep (Ovis orientalis) and Wild Goats (Capra aegagrus): Both animals are adapted rugged terrains.
Sand Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), Striped Hyena, Caracal.
Birds:
The following are a few of the more than 200 species of birds that occur in Touran:
Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata): A key species of desert ecosystems
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Griffith Vulture, and Peregrine Falcon.
Pleske’s Ground Jay (Podoces pleskei): A species endemic to Iran.
Reptiles and Amphibians:
More than 40 reptile species from the desert monitor to the viper to geckos.
Amphibians occur but are rare in oases and seasonal streams.
Insects:
Beetles, ants, butterflies and many other desert-adapted insects help maintain a functioning ecosystem.
Conservation Challenges
Challenges facing Touran National Park include:
Habitat Destruction (Because of overgrazing of livestock and land degradation)
Poaching: Endangered species such as cheetahs and gazelles.
Climate Change: Water and vegetation are dwindling due to rising aridity.
Conservation efforts include anti-poaching initiatives, restoration of habitats, and engagement with local communities.