Diversity of Ecosystems in Armenia

Map of Natural Habitats in Armenia
Physical Map of Armenia

The area of Armenia covered by different landscape types, along with their altitudinal distributions

• Deserts and Semi-deserts occur in the Ararat Valley and adjacent mountain slopes at altitudes of 1200-1300m, in the Vaik lowlands, and the Meghri gorge. Sand accumulations in the Arax area result in a desert landscape, which are also found in saline lowlands. In these landscapes, the climate is dry and continental, with hot summers and moderately cold winters. The soils are generally of the semi-desert grey type, and have been managed for cultivation over the last millennia. Cultivation has required intensive irrigation, and these areas now support fruit, vegetable, flower, and wine production, but have suffered major impacts from human activities.
• Dry mountainous steppes are found at higher altitudes than semi-deserts (above 1500m) in the Ararat Valley, and some other areas, but are also found at lower altitudes (above 800m) in the lowlands to the north-east of the country, which were originally forested. The climate in the dry steppes is characterised by warm, dry summers and mild winters. A range of soils are found, but in the Ararat Valley these lands are typically stony. Irrigation of dry steppes allows cultivation of crops, vegetables and fruit, and these landscapes have also suffered severe human impact.
• Mountain steppes are the dominant landscape for most of the country, particularly at altitudes above 1500m (and at altitudes up to 2000m in the north, 2400-2500m in the south). Meadow steppes occur in the highlands, while patches of forest also occur on ridge tops among steppes in the north-east and Sjunik regions. The climate is generally modera agriculture (including cultivation of crops, vegetables, frost-tolerant fruit trees (in lower altitudes) and fodder plants (in highland areas).
• Forests generally cover the mid-zone of mountains, te, with warm, cool summers, and moderate or cold winters. Soils generally have a humus content of between 6-7%. Steppes are used foroccurring at altitudes between 500m and 2100m in the north (up to 2500m in the south). In central Armenia, forests occur in small areas rather than as a continuous zone, and forests can be found on steep slopes and other areas with limited human access. Soil types include red soil in the lowlands and forest grey soils in the highlands.
• Sub-alpine meadows occur at higher altitudes than steppes and forests, including highland mountain ranges. The climate is moderate with short, cool summers and long, cold winters. Much of the land here is meadow, with soils of high humus content.
• Alpine meadows occupy the highest altitudes above sub-alpine meadows (up to 3000m in the north and 3800m in the south). These meadows represent the principal pasturelands for the country, with meadow and alpine vegetation. Climatic conditions are severe, with long, cold winters, and annual temperatures average less than -40?C. Snow cover lasts up to 9 months, and permanent snows may occur in some areas.
• Azonal landscapes cover over 10% of the territory of the country, and occur independently of altitude (unlike the previously described landscapes). These include wetlands, as well as saline and alkaline lands, which cover about 25,000ha, including areas in the Ararat Valley where the underground waters are close to the earth surface, resulting in water vaporisation and salt precipitation. Upland wetlands are dominated by fresh (non-brackish) water, while lowland wetlands (particularly those around the River Arax) are usually drained in summer, resulting in high salinity.

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