Tulipa dasystemon

In the areas that this species inhabits there have been problems with livestock overgrazing, especially on the edge of the Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve (Wilson et al. 2019). In the core zone of this park subpopulations are well protected, but outside this area there is considerable pressure on subpopulations from trampling and grazing (Davletkeldiev 2006). In addition, urbanisation is impacting subpopulations growing near settlements leading to habitat loss and increased disturbance of some areas. In addition, a large number of tourists visit the park so there is some threat from recreational disturbance, but most subpopulations grow away from areas tourists go so this is a minor threat. Climate change may also pose a threat to this species with projections suggesting that large areas of suitable tulip habitat may disappear (Wilson et al. 2021), however the impact on this species is uncertain.

This species has been synonymised under Tulipa dasystemon for some time (Christenhusz et al. 2013), and has only recently been reinstated and therefore its conservation status has not been assessed in Kyrgyzstan. It is known to occur in the Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve in Kyrgyzstan with around 30% of its population estimated to be within this protected area. This species is recorded to be in 20 ex situ collections (BGCI 2022). Urgent work is needed to clarify its taxonomy, range, and population trend, especially outside of this protected area.