The variety in landscapes and altitudes within the country
(Chapter 1) is an important determinant of biodiversity
and its distribution in Armenia. As previously described
altitudes in the country range up to 3000m, and six key
landscape types have been identified (deserts, semi-deserts,
steppes, forests, alpine and sub-alpine meadows). These
landscapes are generally associated with particular altitude
zones (Section 1.6). In addition, a series of azonal habitats
(such as wetlands) are described. Each landscape represents
a different ecosystem, with a distinctive group of associated
plants and animals (Map 12). However, there are also some
species that are found in different ecosystems. For example
plants such as fescue (Festuca sulcata) are common in
both steppe and meadow systems. Also, many animal species
seasonally migrate between different habitats. For example,
the greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum is
found in steppes in summer, semi-deserts in autumn and
forests during winter; Armenian mouflon traditionally
moved from winter feeding grounds on the steppes up to
sub-alpine meadows in summer. Brown bears are found in
forest, steppes and meadows depending on the time of year.
The plants and animals associated with each main landscape
type or ecosystem are described in more detail below.
The distribution of different animal groups and species
in relation to different landscape types is presented
in the Annex (Annexes 4-9).
True deserts only cover a small area of Armenia, and
are mainly situated below 900m altitude in the Ararat
Valley. The best studied desert system is that close
to the town of Gorovan. The typical flora and fauna
of these ecosystems are shown in Table 5.1. Deserts
represent threatened habitats, and a number of endemic
species would disappear if these habitats continue
to decline.
Table 5.1 Description of fauna and flora associated
with desert ecosystems, with some examples of typical
or distinctive species
|
Group
|
Comments
|
Examples of distinctive species
|
|
Fungi
|
|
Agaricus, Montagnea, Tulostoma,
Disciseda.
|
|
Higher plants
|
Most plants are specific to
deserts and relatively rare throughout Armenia.
Distinctive vegetation structure and composition
is associated with saline and chalk substrates
in the Ararat Valley
|
Calligonum polygonoides, Achillea
tenuifolia, Seidlitzia florida, Rhinopetalum gibbosum,
Ceratocarpus arenarius, Salsola spp., Kalidium
caspicum, Halostachys caspica, Halocnemum strobilaceum,
Gypsophila spp., Halanthium rarifolium
|
|
Invertebrates
|
Distinctive invertebrate fauna,
including several endemic species (particularly
at Gorovan)
|
Pharaonus caucasicus, Cardiophorus
araxicola, Sphenoptera khnzoriani, S. vediensis
|
Semi-deserts (800-1200m) commonly support wormwoods
such as Artemisia fragrans and A. araxina, and other
associated plants and animals are shown in Table 5.2.
Table 5.2 Description of fauna and flora associated
with semi-desert ecosystems, with some examples of typical
or distinctive species
|
Group
|
Comments
|
Examples of distinctive species
|
|
Higher plants
|
Many endemic invertebrate species.
Invertebrates from different regions occur (including
species of Mediterranean, Iranian, Caucasian and
Crimean origin). Some of the same species occur
in steppe habitats.
|
Phytodrymadusa armeniaca, Nocarodes
armenus, Dictyla subdola, Geotomus punctulatus,
Amphicoma eichleri, Cantharis araxicola, Tomomyza
araxana, Bombilius schelkovnikovi, Shadinia akramowskii,
Gabbiella araxena, Pupilla bipapulata, Zodarion
petrobium
|
|
Invertebrates
|
Many endemic invertebrate species.
Invertebrates from different regions occur (including
species of Mediterranean, Iranian, Caucasian and
Crimean origin). Some of the same species occur
in steppe habitats.
|
Phytodrymadusa armeniaca, Nocarodes
armenus, Dictyla subdola, Geotomus punctulatus,
Amphicoma eichleri, Cantharis araxicola, Tomomyza
araxana, Bombilius schelkovnikovi, Shadinia akramowskii,
Gabbiella araxena, Pupilla bipapulata, Zodarion
petrobium
|
|
Amphibians
|
|
Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea
|
|
Reptiles
|
Reptiles Some reptiles are specifically
associated with small patches of desert habitat
with xerophyte vegetation.
|
Lacerta raddei, L.strigata,
Ophisops elegans, Testudo graeca, Eumeces schneideri,
Mabuya aurata, Elaphe hohenackeri. Telescopus
fallax, Eryx jaculus, Vipera lebetina, Malpolon
monspessulanus, , T.vermicularis, Elaphe quatuoilineata,
Eirenis collaris, E. punctatolineatus, Phrynocephalus
persicus, Eremias pleske, E. strauchi
|
|
Birds
|
Over 50 species recorded in
total
|
pheasant (Phasianus colchicus),
black francolin (Francolinus francolinus), rufus
wheatear (Oenanthe xanthoprymna)
|
|
Mammals
|
Desert and semi-desert mammals
are found mainly in the south of the country
|
common vole, beech marten, fox,
long-eared hedgehog, noctule bat, grey long-eared
bat
|
Mountain steppes represent the dominant ecosystem of
Armenia, and occur throughout the country at altitudes
between 1200 and 2000m (sometimes as high as 2500m).
Vegetation cover is varied, but particularly important
plants include fescue (Festuca sulcata) and feather
grass (Stipa spp.). The flora and fauna of this ecosystem
are described in Table 5.3.
Table 5.3 Description of fauna and flora associated
with steppe ecosystems, with some examples of typical
or distinctive species
|
Group
|
Comments
|
Examples of distinctive species
|
|
Fungi
|
|
Pleurotus eryngii, Agaricus,
Macrolepiota, Coprinus
|
|
Higher plants
|
|
Stipa lessingiana, S. pulcherrima,
S. capillata, Festuca sulcata, F. ovina, Bothriocloa
ischaemum, Agropyrum cristatum, Astragalus microcephalus,
A. laguris, Onobrychis cornuta, Bromopsis variegatum,
Phleum phleoides, Koeleris cristata
|
|
Invertebrates
|
Invertebrate diversity is low
, but several rare and threatened species occur
|
Bradyporus dilatatus, Montana
armeniaca, Eumerus sogdianus, Bruchidius armeniacus,
Cryptocephalus moravi
|
|
Amphibians
|
|
Lacerta armeniaca, L. dahli,
L. valentini, L. nairensis, L. strigata, L. agilis,
L. caucasica, L. apodus, Ophisiops elegans, Vipera
erivanensis, V. raddei, Coronella austriaca, Eryx
jaculus, Telescopus fallax, Natrix natrix, N.
tessellata
|
|
Reptiles
|
|
Lacerta armeniaca, L. dahli,
L. valentini, L. nairensis, L. strigata, L. agilis,
L. caucasica, L. apodus, Ophisiops elegans, Vipera
erivanensis, V. raddei, Coronella austriaca, Eryx
jaculus, Telescopus fallax, Natrix natrix, N.
tessellata
|
|
Birds
|
More than 30 species recorded
|
Mainly passerines and falcons
|
|
Mammals
|
|
Fox, wolf, coypu, marten, greater
horseshoe bat, wild goat, Armenian mouflon, brown
bear
|
|
