Meadows are typically found above 2000m altitude, and support a wide floral diversity
(Table 5.4). Sub-alpine meadows often support a distinct assemblage of grasses,
particularly in northern regions. Alpine meadows (over 2700 m) are rich in Poaceae
(such as Poa alpina) and the carpet vegetation of such meadows represents an unusual
and interesting habitat.
Almost all forests in Armenia are state-owned and the Government is responsible
for forest conservation, management and planting. In most forests timber extraction
is strictly prohibited, however such rules are often broken. Forest cover is relatively
low in Armenia, with less that 10% of the land being forested. Armenian forests
are predominantly broad-leaved (97%), and are dominated by oak, beech and hornbeam.
Other species occasionally found in forests include juniper, pine and yew.
Forest habitats are typically found
on mountain slopes between 500 and 2400m altitude, although
beech and oak forests are typically concentrated at
moderate altitudes (1300-
Table 5.4 Description of fauna
and flora associated with meadow ecosystems, with some
examples of typical or distinctive species
|
Group
|
Comments
|
Examples of distinctive species
|
|
Fungi
|
Cap mushrooms well represented
(discomycetes and gasteromycetes)
|
Helvella, Morchella, Peziza,
Calvatia, Geastrum, Bovista,
|
|
Higher plants
|
|
Festuca varia, Poa longifolia,
P. alpina, Phleum alpinum, Trifolium, Onobrychis
transcaucasica, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca gigantea,
Linum hypericigfolium, Sibbaldia parviflora, Myosotis
alpestris, Alchemilla, Carex
|
|
Invertebrates
|
Distinctive invertebrate fauna
with many national and regional (Caucasian) endemics
|
Carabus stjernvalli, C.tamsi,
Dorcadion spp., Deltomerus khnzorian, Trechus
armenus, T.dzermukensis, as well as Bombus spp.,
Terymus auratus, Trichia armenica
|
|
Amphibians
|
|
Rana macrocnemis, R. ridibunda,
Bufo viridis
|
|
Reptiles
|
|
Vipera erivanensis, V.darevskii,
Lacerta valentini, Coronella austriaca,
|
|
Birds
|
Between 10 and 15 species recorded;
many Red data Book species
|
Caspian snowcock (Tetraogallus
caspius), choughs (Pyrrhocorax graculus, P. pyrrhocoraxi),
Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), accentors (Prunella
ocularis, P. collaris), wallcreeper (Tichodroma
muraria), snowfinch (Montifringilla nivalis)
|
|
Mammals
|
A total of 17 recorded mammal
species
|
Rodents, including mice and
voles.
|
1600m). A range of animals are associated with these
forests, including brown bears and wild boar (Table
5.5). Four major forest types, and associated tree species,
are described below:
· Oak forests, represent about a third of forest
cover (c. 90,000 ha) and are widely distributed across
the country. Of four oak species (Quercus spp.) found
in Armenia, two (broad-leaved and Georgian oak) are
typical of forests. Of these broad-leaved oak is the
more frost tolerant species and is found throughout
the country at altitudes as high as 2600m. In contrast,
Georgian oak is typically restricted to altitudes between
500 and 1400m, and is typically found in the north and
in Zangezour region. Other species which typically grow
in oak forests are ash (Fraxinus excelsior), hornbeam
(Carpinus betulus) Georgian maple (Acer ibericum), cork
elm (Ulmus suberosus), and field maple (Acer campestre).
A third oak species (Arax oak) is now declining as a
result of climatic warming and human impacts.
· Beech forests, dominated by Oriental beech
(Fagus orientalis), represent about a third of forest
cover. They are widespread in northern Armenia, particularly
on north-facing slopes at altitudes of 1000-2100m. Other
species found in beech forests include Caucasian lime
(Tilia cordata), Litvinov beech (Betula litwinow) and
spindle-tree (Euonymus europaeus), and substantial grass
cover is supported in these forests.
· Hornbeam forests are less common than those
of beech and oak, and occur at altitudes of 800-1800m.
Other trees found in these forests include oak, field
maple, common ash, Caucasian pear (Pyrus caucasicum),
and Oriental apple (Malus orientalis).
· Dry scrub forests are found in both north and
south of the country occurring at altitudes of 900-1000m
in the north, but at much higher altitude in the south
(1800-2000m). These forests support around 80 species
of xeric trees and shrubs, all of which are drought
tolerant and light-loving. As well as thorn forests,
dominated by juniper (Juniperus spp.), broad-leaved
forests also occur (characterised by species such as
pistachio (Pistacia mutica), Georgian maple, and almond
(Amygdalus fenzlianum), among others). A range of shrubs
is also found in these forests, including buckthorn
(Rhamnus catharticus), cherry (Prunus spp.), and jasmine
(Jasminium fruficans).
Table 5.5 Description of fauna
and flora associated with forest ecosystems, with some
examples of typical or distinctive species
|
Group
|
Comments
|
Examples of distinctive species
|
|
Fungi
|
Many fungi supported in such
habitats, including 757 species of cap mushrooms;
314 species are found in mixed deciduous forests
and 266 have been identified in thorn forests
|
|
|
Invertebrates
|
High diversity of invertebrates,
including a quarter of beetle species recorded
in the country; invertebrates of northern forests
typically resemble those of Caucasian and European
regions, whilst those of the south resemble Mediterranean
and Iranian faunas.
|
Ciddaria firmata, Bupalus piniarus,
Ancylochira araratica, Salpingus castaneus, Hypophloeus
pini.
|
|
Mammals
|
|
Wild goat, wild boar, Persian
squirrel, European mole, wood mouse, forest dormouse
|
The main azonal ecosystems in Armenia are wetlands,
with rich floristic diversity (see chapter 2). In addition
to aquatic systems and marshlands, the vegetation of
open rocks is also azonal, and different species are
supported depending on the type of rock substrate. Such
species include higher plants (Astragalus, Acantholimon,
Lonicera iberica, Rhamnus pallasii, Cerasus incana,
Spiraea hypericifolia), invertebrates (Lestes sponsa,
Puella lunulata, Orthetrum cancellatum, Enochrus melanocephalus,
Lymnaca stragnalis, Planorbis planorbis), amphibians
and reptiles (for example, the grass snake Natrix natrix)
and mammals such as coypu, and water rat.
|
