The Armenian Red Data Book (RDB) for plants was published in 1990, having been under preparation for 15 years (including 5 years in press). Publication of these works involved substantial review of the species concerned and the selection criteria used. However, more recently socio-political change has led to revision of priorities for conservation, and the need for quantitative indicators and impartial criteria has been recognised. The current listings include many rare species which are not threatened, but exclude a number of species undergoing population declines. New criteria based on quantitative indicators were proposed by the World Conservation Union - IUCN (Mace & Lande 1991) have been used in the most recent IUCN Red Lists, but further research will be needed to apply them to both the flora and fauna of Armenia.

At present Armenian biodiversity faces serious threats, and as many as half of all plants in the country may require some conservation action. This is not reflected in the Red Data Book which represents only the most highly threatened species and lists only 387 species (12% of the flora). The distribution of threatened species in relation to region is shown in Table 3.5.

Table 3.5 Number of species of different conservation status (Red Data Book category) in different floristic regions, and the number of these listed in the Red Data Book of the Former Soviet Union (FSU). Status categories include extinct (EX), endangered (EN), rare (R), declining (D) and indeterminate (IN).

At present, fungi (including mushrooms) have not been included in the Armenian Red Data Book. A number of species of fungi appear to be declining as a result of direct and indirect human impacts. Some cap mushrooms are considered to be on the verge of extinction and should be listed in the Armenian RDB. Overall, 15 species of fungi are considered to be critically endangered.

Of the 17,500 vertebrate and invertebrate species recorded in the country, 329 are endemic to Armenia. These include a wide range of invertebrates (including Phytodrymadusa armeniaca, Nocarodes armenus, Olophrum aragatzense, Amphycoma eichleri, Cantharis araxicola, Tomomyza araxana, Bombilius schelkovnikovi, Shadinia akramowskii, and Gabbiella araxena), as well as a number of vertebrate species and sub-species.

Nine species and sub-species of fish are endemic to Armenia. These include the endemic species of Sevan trout (Salmo isshkhan), and its four races or sub-species (winter bakhtak S. ischchan; gegharkuni S. ischchan gegarkuni; bojak S. ischchan danilewskii; and summer bakhtak S. ischchan aestivalis), which occur in Lake Sevan and surrounding rivers. In addition, the following sub-species of fish are also endemic to Armenia, a roach (Armenian karmrakn, Rutilus rutilus schelkovnikovi); a schneider species (Armenian tarekhik, Alburnoides bipunctatus armeniensis); Sevan koghak (Varicorhinus capoeta sevangi); a barbel (Sevan beghlou Barbus lacerta goktschaicus); and a white bream species (Armenian goustera (Blicca bjoerkna derjavini).

Populations of trout (Salmo trutta), which until recently was found in all rivers in Armenia and Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) have reduced significantly as a direct result of human activities such as intensive poaching, reservoir pollution, unlimited water use and uncontrolled fishing.

Of the 53 reptile species found in Armenia, over 13% are endemic. These include several species of rock lizards including Lacerta unisexualis (white-bellied lizard, found in the Sevan basin, and surrounding areas), L. armeniaca (the Armenian lizard, found in the north of the country), and L. nairensis (found around Hrazdan river and Lake Sevan). Other endemic species and sub-species include Eremias arguta transcaucasica (the racerunner, from Lake Sevan basin), Vipera darevskii (Darevsky's viper, from Djavakhk mountain range at 2000-3000 m), and V. raddei (Armenian viper, from Armenian Plateau and Minor Caucasus). Regional endemics (restricted to the Armenian plateau) include several rock lizards (Lacerta dahli, L. rostombekovi and L. valentini). In addition, one amphibian, the Syrian spadefoot toad (Pelobates syriacus), is endemic to the country.

No true endemic bird species are found in Armenia, although the Armenian gull (Larus armenicus) is considered to be an endemic species, and has been recorded in the Lake Sevan basin, along the Arax, Hrazdan, and Akhurian rivers, and in recent years in the Ararat valley. In addition, the Caucasian grouse (Tetrao mlokosiewiczi), which is endemic to the Caucasus, is uncommon in Armenia.
Among 83 mammals recorded in Armenia, six endemic species or sub-species are recorded - the northern mole vole (Ellobius lutescens), Vigradov's jird (Meriones vinogradovi), a jeroboa (Allactaga williamsi), the Caucasian birch mouse (Sicista caucasica), the Armenian mouflon (Ovis orientalis gmelinii), and a sub-species of Natterer's bat (Myotis nattereri araxenus). Of particular note is the Armenian mouflon which is now restricted to areas in southern Armenia.