Peter Hietz, - Professor, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Hadi Memarian - Associate Professor, Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran
Mohsen Abbasnia, - Postdoctoral Researcher in Atmospheric Sciences, Department of Meteorology, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey

From a scientific point of view, a systematic change in weather will likely be accompanied by relocation in distribution of planet species. Knowledge of the factors affecting the distribution of plant species can optimize conservation and management strategies under climate change condition. To this end, the identification of native plants and understanding the relevant factors for their distribution and diversity are necessary, especially over the arid regions of Iran area. Therefore, this study tries to analyze effect of climate change on plant distribution, diversity and functional traits as well as to assess climatological threats related to relocations of plant species under climate change scenarios. In this way, the outcome of this plan includes several aspects, and objectives given following. Preparing the database and record vegetation, species distribution and diversity; Modeling of planet species distribution with a focus on vulnerable plant species; Downscaling GCMs outputs via CMIP5 scenarios; Analyzing of distribution, community composition and ecosystem functions under different climate change scenarios; Proposing suitable strategies for climate change adaptation. In this regards, this project will build a database on plant distribution and functional traits and expertise in modeling that can be used for future research. Moreover, the most important impact of this research is the awareness of the people and authorities involved in the management of natural resources and the environment of the region.

Climate change, planet species, downscaling; adaptation strategies, Iran