The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has warned that Buxus hyrcana trees in Iranian forests are endangered. FAO is currently providing assistance to strengthening the resilience of Zagros oak and Caspian boxwood trees, the most important and prevalent tree species in western and northern Iran. Over the past five years, changes in climate, including temperature, precipitation, winds and pathogenic fungi have led to the decline and degradation of these resources ,these forests are already under pressure by intensive farming systems, deforestation, overgrazing

 

Dieback of Buxus hyrcana trees (IUCN threatened species) caused by Boxwood Blight continues to be reported in the Caspian forest of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the spread of the disease has been reported in neighboring countries such as Azerbaijan Republic and Georgia.