Key Ecosystems in Armenia
Human
impacts on natural ecosystems have been evident in Armenia since ancient times.
The early development of agriculture and livestock breeding in Armenia resulted
in significant changes to the use of the land. Over several thousand years human
activity has led to the disappearance of forests, increased the area of land
under irrigation, cultivation of desert and semi-desert habitats and the expansion
of pastures and meadows. The current status and relative importance of different
types of ecosystem reflects their economic significance, including factors such
the level and type of use, their broader ecological functions, the value of
the species and genetic diversity they support, and their resilience to both
natural changes and human impacts. In the context of these factors mountain
steppe, semi-desert and forest ecosystems are considered to be of key economic
importance, given patterns of human settlement, suitable climatic conditions
and opportunities for agriculture. Most arable land and human settlements in
Armenia occur at altitudes below 2,200m. Of a total of 1,229,700ha of arable
land, 20% occurs at altitudes below 1,000m, 33% between 1,000m and 1,500m, and
47% above 1,500m · in regions dominated by mountain steppe ecosystems. Semi-deserts
and mountain steppes are also important in supporting various forms of cultivation,
while meadows in semi-deserts are used as a source of horticultural material.
Forest ecosystems are of particular importance, given their roles in soil protection,
climate regulation and in supporting a range of biodiversity. Forest ecosystems
support a wide range of plant species of economic importance. These include
over 200 species of edible plants, 2,000 species of plants used as animal fodder,
120 species of wild berries, 350 species of plants visited by bees, 120 aromatic
plant species, and 130 species important as a source of vitamins.
In addition, to the general importance of these ecosystems, a number of specific
sites have been identified which support ecosystems of global or regional significance,
and are rich in endemic, relict or rare species. These include:
- A unique assemblage of species of wild relatives of crops occurring near
Yerevan.
- Stands of plane trees (Platanus orientalis) near the Tzav river valley.
- Psamophpil desert on the bank of the Vedi river.
- The habitats supporting the endemic species of insect ·vordan karmir·
(Porphyrophora hamelii) in the Ararat valley.
- The open woodland and semi-desert ecosystems of Central Armenia, with its
unique and rich associated fauna and flora.
- Relict wetland meadows in the Lori area.
- Stands of yew (Taxus baccata) and hazel (Corylus colurna) in the Agstev
river basin and Zangezour.
- Rhododendron habitats in sub-alpine regions of the Pambak and Tsaghkunyats
ranges.
- Habitats of the sub-Arax mountain ridges where populations of Armenian mouflon
(Ovis orientalis gmelinii) occur.
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