ECOREGIONAL CONSERVATION PLAN
FOR THE
CAUCASUS
2020 EDITION
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS
ECOREGIONAL CONSERVATION PLAN
FOR THE CAUCASUS
2020 EDITION
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS
TBILISI 2020
The Ecoregional Conser vation Plan for the Caucasus has been revised in the frame of the Transboundar y
Joint Secretariat-Phase III Project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and
Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank and implemented by WWF Caucasus Programme Office
with the involvement of the AHT GROUP AG - REC Caucasus Consortium.
The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of organizations and
institutions who were involved in preparing ECP 2020 or who provided financial support or support in kind.
None of the entities involved assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of
information disclosed in the publication.
Editors: N. Zazanashvili, M. Garforth and M. Bitsadze
Ecoregional Maps: G. Beruchashvili and N. Arobelidze, WWF / © WWF
Suggested citation for the publication: Zazanashvili, N., Garforth, M. and Bitsadze, M., eds. (2020).
Ecoregional Conservation Plan for the Caucasus, 2020 Edition: Supplementary Reports. WWF, KfW, Tbilisi.
Suggested citation for each repor t – see at the end of the repor ts.
ISBN 978-9941-8-2374-9
Designed by David Gabunia
Printed by Fountain Georgia LTD, Tbilisi, Georgia, 2020
2020 EDITION
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
FOREWORD AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The 2020 Edition of the Ecoregional Conservation Plan (ECP) for the Caucasus is published in two parts.
The first and main part – “Ecoregional Conservation Plan for the Caucasus: 2020 Edition”– presents an overview
of the Ecoregion’s biodiversity and the general threats which it faces, describes the main actors in the field of
biodiversity conser vation in the Caucasus, explains the role of the ECP as a regional instrument for implementing
international agreements related to biodiversity, discusses the main conceptual approaches for developing this
edition of ECP, and presents the plan itself with its targets and actions.
This second par t of the ECP presents supplementar y repor ts that include an explanation of the rationale for
the Ecoregion’s boundaries, a detailed description of the Key Biodiversity Areas and Conser vation Landscapes
(which form the basis of the Ecological Network envisaged by the ECP), and information about the status of
the Ecoregion’s threatened species in the following groups: large carnivores, large herbivores, birds, amphibians
and reptiles, freshwater fish and lampreys, and flora (vascular plants) and vegetation. The chapters also include
information on physical-geographical features of the Caucasus, terrestrial ecoregions within the boundaries
of the Caucasus combined ecoregion, biomes that create the basis of the main habitats, par ticular threats
to the groups, and on-going conservation efforts and proposals for additional conservation actions.
The compilers of each report represent all six countries of the Caucasus ecoregion: Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, Iran, Russia and Turkey. The order of the compilers’ names (after the first author who wrote the main
text) usually follows the alphabetical order of the ecoregion’s countries’ names with some exceptions (when
the co-authors’ order follows their input to the particular report).
The editors and compilers of this publication are grateful to the governmental organizations and agencies
who kindly provided data for the repor ts. We extend our thanks to all exper ts and specialists who suppor ted
the preparation of ECP 2020 and its separate parts by providing materials or personal communications.
Special thanks are owed to the Government of Germany, par ticularly, the German Federal Ministr y for
Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and KfW Development Bank for their crucial financial support
for the revision and publication of ECP 2020.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TERMS AN D ABBREVIATION S
6
TH E BOU N D ARIES AN D BIO-PH YSICAL FEATU RES OF TH E CAU CASU S ECOREGION
9
compiled by N. Zazanashvili, K. Manvelyan, E. Askerov, M. Mousavi, V. Krever, S. Kalem and M. Garforth
KEY BIOD IVERSITY AREAS IN TH E CAU CASU S ECOREGION
21
compiled by M. Bitsadze, K. Manvelyan, E. Askerov, M. Mousavi, V. Shmunk, S. Kalem, N. Zazanashvili,
R. Mnatsekanov, S. Devranoglu Tavsel, M. Cevik, K. Ahmadova, G. Beruchashvili, A. Kandaryan and M. Garforth
CON SERVATION LAN D SCAPES IN TH E CAU CASU S ECOREGION
29
compiled by N. Zazanashvili, K. Manvelyan, E. Askerov, M. Mousavi, V. Shmunk, S. Kalem, G. Beruchashvili,
M. Bitsadze and M. Garforth
STATU S OF LARGE CARN IVORES IN TH E CAU CASU S
37
compiled by E. Askerov, K. Manvelyan, Z. Gurielidze, M. Mousavi, V. Shm unk, S. Trepet, A.E. Kütükçü,
A. Heidelberg and N. Zazanashvili
STATU S OF LARGE H ERBIVORES IN TH E CAU CASU S
48
compiled by P. Weinberg, E. Askerov, K. Manvelyan, Z. Gurielidze, M. Mousavi, A.E. Kütükçü,
A. Heidelberg and N. Zazanashvili
STATU S OF BIRD S IN TH E CAU CASU S
72
compiled by Z. Javakhishvili, K. Aghababyan, E. Sultanov, M. Tohidifar, R. Mnatsekanov and S. Isfendiyaroğlu
AMPH IBIAN S AN D REPTILES OF TH E CAU CASU S
83
compiled by B.S. Tuniyev, D. Tarkhnishvili, A.L. Aghasyan, S.N. Bunyatova, K. Kamali, S.M. Mirghazanfari,
C.V. Tok and K. Çiçek
FRESH W ATER FISH AN D LAMPREYS OF TH E CAU CASU S
97
compiled by J . Freyhof, S. Pipoyan N. Mustafayev, S. Ibrahimov, B. J aposhvili, O. Sedighi, B. Levin,
A. Pashkov and D. Turan
FLORA AN D VEGETATION OF TH E CAU CASU S
106
compiled by K. Batsatsashvili, A. Nersesyan, N. Mehdiyeva, R. Murtazaliev, Ö. Eminağaoğlu and K. Kavousi
AN N EXES
Annex 1: The IUCN Globally Threatened Species in the Caucasus Ecoregion
119
Annex 2: Key Biodiversity Areas with Associated Trigger Species
129
Annex 3: Summary of Species Parameters of Key Biodiversity Areas
153
Annex 4. Description of Conservation and Bridging Landscapes
159
Annex 5. Map of Key Biodiversity Areas, and Conservation and Bridging Landscapes
177
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TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Aggregation
A geographically restricted clustering of individuals that typically occurs during a specific life
history stage or process such as breeding, feeding or m igration. This clustering is indicated by
highly localised relative abundance, two or m ore orders m agnitude larger than the species`
average recorded numbers or densities at other stages during its life-cycle (IUCN, 2016).
a. s. l.
Above sea level
Bern Convention
Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
Biosphere Reserve
The UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves covers internationally designated
protected areas, each known as biosphere reserves. Each reserve prom otes solutions reconciling
the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
BL
Bridging Landscape
BMZ
Germ an Federal Ministry for Econom ic Cooperation and Developm ent
Bridging Landscape A physical-geographical entity that physically connects Conservation Landscapes.
6
CBD
Convention on Biological Diversity
CEPF
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
CL
Conservation Landscape
CMS
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Anim als
CNF
Caucasus Nature Fund
Conservation
Landscape
A geographically defined large area, typically larger than 5000 km², identified as priority for
conserving biodiversity and m aintaining healthy ecological processes and environm ental services.
CR
Critically Endangered, category of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
DD
Data Deficient, according to the IUCN Red List: a taxon is Data Deficient when there is inadequate
inform ation to m ake a direct, or indirect, assessm ent of its risk of extinction based on its
distribution and/ or population status.
ECF
Eco-Corridors Fund for the Caucasus (WWF/BMZ/KfW long-term project)
ECP
The Ecoregional Conservation Plan for the Caucasus
Ecological Corridor
A clearly defined geographical space that is governed and managed over the long-term to conserve
or restore effective landscape connectivity, with associated ecosystem services and cultural and
spiritual values (slightly modified from a draft definition by Hilty et al., 2019).
Em erald network
The Em erald network is a network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest to conserve wild
flora and fauna and their natural habitats of Europe, launched by Council of Europe under
the Bern Convention.
EN
Endangered, category of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
European Diplom a
for Protected Areas
A prestigious international award granted since 1965 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council
of Europe. It recognises natural and semi-natural areas and landscapes of exceptional European
im portance for the preservation of biological, geological and landscape diversity, which are
m anaged in an exem plary way.
FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
GEF
The Global Environm ent Facility
Geographically
Restricted Species
Species having a restricted global distribution, as m easured by range, extent of suitable habitat or
area of occupancy, and hence largely confined or endemic to a relatively small portion of the globe
such as bioregion, ecoregion or site (IUCN, 2016).
Global 200
The Global 200 is the list (and the map) of ecoregions identified by WWF as priorities for
conservation.
Globally
Threatened Species
Species categorised in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Critically Endangered (CR),
Endangered (EN) or Vulnerable (VU).
IBA
An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) is an area identified using an internationally agreed
set of criteria as being globally im portant for the conservation of bird populations.
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IDEA
International Dialogue for Environm ental Action
IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
KBA
Key Biodiversity Area
KfW
KfW Developm ent Bank
LC
Least Concern, category of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Managed Nature
Reserve
This term is used for protected areas that are differently named in different countries, but all of
them correspond to IUCN Category IV – Habitat/ Species Managem ent Area; synonym s of it are
e.g. Sanctuary, Wildlife Refuge, in Russ. – Zakaznik.
NACRES
Centre for Biodiversity Conservation and Research, NGO
Nature Reserve,
State Nature
Reserve
We use the term Nature Reserve or State Nature Reserve (Zapovednik in Russ.) as synonym s of
Strict Nature Reserve, IUCN Category I.
NGO
Non-governmental organization
North Caucasus
Geographical nam e used in Soviet and Russian geographic publications for the Russian part of
the Caucasus, covering Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, KarachayCherkessia, Adygea republics, Stavropol and Krasnodar regions of the Russian Federation.
NP
National Park
NT
Near Threatened, category of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Other effective
area-based
conservation
m easure (OECM)
A geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways
that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in situ conservation of biodiversity,
with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual,
socio-economic, and other locally relevant values (2018 UN Biodiversity Conference).
Pers. com m .
Personal com m unication: unpublished inform ation provided by experts to the Report’s authors.
Protected Area (PA) In the ECP the term “protected area” has the meaning given to it by the IUCN, which is: a clearly
defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective
m eans, to achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services
and cultural values.
Ram sar Convention
Convention on Wetlands of International Im portance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat
Ram sar site
A Ram sar site is a wetland site designated to be of international im portance under the Ram sar
Convention.
South Caucasus
Political-geographical term, which includes the three Caucasus countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia.
Southern Caucasus
Not a com m on term . The ECP uses it as a nam e for the area covered by the South Caucasus
countries, plus the Iranian and Turkish parts of the Caucasus.
Southern Caucasus
(Volcanic) Uplands
Not a common term. The ECP uses it as a name for the geographical-geological entity covering
the volcanic plateaus and ranges of the Southern Caucasus (within Arm enia, Georgia, Turkey
and Iran) that by origin and by general character of landscapes do not belong to the Lesser
Caucasus and the Talysh-Alborz mountain ranges.
TJ S
Transboundary Joint Secretariat for the South Caucasus financed by the German Government (BMZ/KfW)
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
VU
Vulnerable, category of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
WHC
Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
World (Natural)
Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a landm ark or area, selected by the UNESCO under WHC for having
cultural, historical, scientific, natural or other form of global significance (outstanding value),
which is legally protected by international treaties.
WWF
World Wide Fund for Nature
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THE BOUNDARIES AND BIO-PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION
N. Zazanashvili
a,h,
Com piled by
K. Manvelyan E. Askerovc,d, M. Mousavie, V. Krever f, S. Kalem g and M. Garforth h,i
b,
WWF-Caucasus, Tbilisi, Georgia; b WWF-Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia; cWWF-Azerbaijan, Baku,
Azerbaijan; d Institute of Zoology of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku , Azerbaijan; eWildlife
Conservation and Management Bureau, Iran Department of Environment, Tehran, Islamic Republic of
Iran; f WWF-Russia, Moscow, Russia; g WWF-Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey; h Ilia State University, Institute of
Ecology, Tbilisi, Georgia; iIndependent expert
a
Co n t e n t s : Introduction; Boundary definition; Physical-geographical features; Terrestrial Ecoregions;
Biodiversity Hotspots; Conclusions; Acknowledgements; References; Suggested citation.
In tro d u ctio n
The boundaries of the Caucasus ecoregion (Map 1) were decided during the preparation of the first edition
of the Ecoregional Conservation Plan. The boundaries incorporate several of the terrestrial ecoregions of
the world defined in Olson et al (2001)1 and Global 200 Ecoregions described in Olson and Dinerstein (2002).
For the stakeholders of the Caucasus, the term Caucasus ecoregion is accepted and easy to understand as
a geographical hotspot of biodiversity. It is also quite commonly used in scientific and popular publications
in the fields of biodiversity, geography and nature protection (GRID Arendal 2008; Lewis, 2012;
Gorenflo et al., 2012; Bondirev, Davitashvili, Singh, 2015; see also the webpage of the Scientific Network for
the Caucasus Mountain Region, http://caucasus-mt.net).
During Soviet times the southern border of the Caucasus was defined by the political borders of the USSR,
particularly by the southern borders of the Soviet Republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia (Dobrinin,
1948; Tushinsky, Davidova, 1976; Milkov, Gvozdetsky, 1986, etc.). After the dissolution of the Soviet Union
and when work began in the late 1990s on identifying global biodiversity hotspots, a new definition of
the region was needed (Mittermeier et al., 1999; Myers et al., 2000).
The boundaries of the Caucasus ecoregion were delineated in a series of regional and national workshops
in which more than 250 experts and stakeholders, representatives of academia, governmental and nongovernm ental organizations from all six countries of the Caucasus participated. The political situation at
that time presented a challenge for an expert-driven, regional planning process (and continues to present
a challenge today). In spite of the difficulties, the participants reached consensus and the new geographical
shape of the Caucasus was published for the first time in the book “Hotspots: Earth’s Biologically Richest and
Most Endangered Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World” (Mittermaier et al., 1999; Zazanashvili, Sanadiradze
& Bukhnikashvili, 1999) and subsequently in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile for the Caucasus (CEPF 2003) and
the first version of the Conservation Plan (ECP) for the Caucasus (Williams et al., 2006). The experts who
participated in the first revision of the ECP agreed to keep the same shape (Zazanashvili et al., 2013), which
also was supported by the experts who worked on this new edition (Map 1).
With this shape, the Caucasus represents a com posite ecoregion partly or fully covering ten terrestrial
ecoregions (Map 2). It is not the first interpretation of the Caucasus as a composite ecoregion:
the Caucasus-Anatolian-Hyrcanian Temperate Forest of Global 200, which stretches from Bulgaria in the west
to Turkm enistan in the east is also a com posite ecoregion, and covers six terrestrial ecoregions (Caucasus
Mixed Forests, Euxine-Colchic Deciduous Forests, Northern Anatolian Conifer and Deciduous forests,
1
See also ecoregions2017.appspot.com
9
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Caspian Hyrcanian Mixed Forests, Elburz Range Forest Steppe and Kopet Dag Woodlands and Forest Steppe).
In this case, the com posite ecoregion is form ed using typological principles and m ostly tem perate broadleaved
and coniferous forest types. This is why forestless parts of Azerbaijan and the North Caucasus and some other
areas of the Caucasus are omitted (Olson & Dinerstein, 1998, 2002).
Within the boundaries of the Caucasus ecoregion there are several prom inent m ountain ranges and chains
(with the highest peak being Mt. Elbrus, 5,642 m in the Central Greater Caucasus), and plateaus, plains
and lowlands between them . The biodiversity of the Caucasus, the characteristics of which are exceptional
for the temperate world, are defined mostly by the following conditions: (a) transitional geographical
location between east and west, north and south that creates a large natural corridor effect; (b) location on
the crossroads of different bio-geographical regions; (c) existence of sharp orographic barriers, which, together
with characteristic m ovem ent of air m asses in the region, supported the creation of two warm and hum id
refugia during the ice-ages (Colchic and Hyrcanian) with a number of relict and endemic species that continue
to play a very important role in Caucasus biodiversity; (d) because of the wide variety of orographic-climatic
conditions, great landscape diversity varying from tem perate rainforests (with m ean annual precipitation of
4,500 mm) to deserts (with 150 mm annual precipitation), and from marine and coastal ecosystems to alpine
grasslands, glaciers and permanent snowfields; (e) two large (along the western Caspian and the eastern Black
Sea) and several smaller flyways of migratory birds that cross the Caucasus.
Kazbegi peak (5,054 m) at the border of the Central and Eastern Greater Caucasus Conservation Landscapes
© N. Zazan ash vili
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Boundary definition
A m ixed approach was taken to delineating the boundaries of the Caucasus ecoregion, com bining m ostly
geographical (including historic-geographical) and some bio-geographical concepts.
The northern boundary follows the so-called Kuma-Manych tectonic depression, which served as a natural
channel between the Caspian and Black Seas in the geological past and which form ed during the Pliocene
(Gvozdetsky, 1954; Dumitrashko et al., 1966).2 The depression is rich in lakes, wetlands, including som e of
international importance (Sirin, 2012), and artificial channels; it serves as an ecological corridor for waterbirds
(Ataev et al., 2016).
The ecoregion’s southern border coincides with the boundary between the Black and Caspian Seas’ catchm ent
basins and the catchm ent basins of the Indian Ocean and nearby large brackish lakes such as Van (Turkey) and
Urmia (Iran). This interpretation closely matches the southern border of the Euro-Siberian phyto-geographical
region and particularly its Pontic province within the section of the Caucasus (Zohary, 1973).
The south-western and south-eastern borders are connected with two refugia of Tertiary flora: Euxine-Colchic
Deciduous Forest (which is a distinct type of tem perate rainforest) and Caspian Hyrcanian Mixed Forests, also
classified as rainforest (Nakhutsrishvili, Zazanashvili & Batsatsashvili, 2011; Nakhutsrishvili et al., 2015), and
two distinct terrestrial ecoregions (Olson et al., 2001) (Map 2, see also ecoregions2017.appspot.com).
The south-western border was drawn on the Melet river close to the city of Ordu (Turkey) because it is recognised
by phyto-geographers as the border between the Colchic and Euxinian sub-provinces of the Euxinian province,
dividing the relatively higher and wetter m ountainous area of the eastern Black Sea (Colchic) part with its
higher density of species of Euxine-Colchic origin from the relatively drier and less mountainous western part
(Davis, 1971; Dolukhanov, 1980; Browicz, 1989; Avci, 1996).
Deciding the south-eastern border was more difficult. Iranian exerts proposed including the entire Hyrcanian
region in the Caucasus ecoregion. From a purely biogeographical viewpoint this would have m ade sense, but
the ecoregion would then have alm ost directly bordered Turkm enistan – part of Central Asia – which would have
gone against the traditional, general geographical and historical-geographical understanding of the Caucasus
as a piece of land or isthmus located between the Black and Caspian Seas (Encyclopaedia Britannica 2018).
Finally, it was agreed to include in the Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot only the western, m ost hum id and m ost
typical part of Caspian-Hyrcanian Mixed Forests and to draw the ecoregion boundary on the administrative
border of Gilan province of Iran, close to the town of Ramsar. Within the Hyrcanian bio-geographical province,
precipitation decreases quite steeply from west to east, while mean annual temperature increases in the same
direction; as a result the summer-dry season is much longer in the east. These climatic difference affect
vegetation character: in the east one can find semi-arid ecosystems, which are not typical for Hyrcanian forests,
and elements of flora that are much more typical of Central Asia (Talebi, Sajedi, Pourhashemi, 2014; Tohidifar
et al., 2016; Khalili & Rahimi, 2018, etc.).
2
Alignment of the northern boundary of the Caucasus with the Kuma-Manych tectonic depression follows the approach of Russian geographers.
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Map 1. The Caucasus Ecoregion
Ex p la n a t io n : (a) dotted lines show the Ecoregion’s boundaries; (b) solid lines - state borders drawn according to UN map
(http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/world.pdf); (c) hatched lines - territories of current political conflicts.
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Physical-geographical features
The Caucasus ecoregion covers about 586,800 km², extending over all of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia,
the North Caucasian part of the Russian Federation (including the republics of Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia,
North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygea, and the Krasnodar and Stavropol
administrative regions of Russia), north-eastern Turkey, and part of north-western Iran.
The forest biome covers around 20% of the region’s total area, freshwater ecosystems – nearly 12%, high
mountains (more than 1,800 m above sea level) – 18%. The remaining 50% is covered by coastal ecosystems
(there are 4,139 kilometres of coastline in the Ecoregion) and dry ecosystems (dry open woodlands and scrublands,
steppes and semideserts).
The Ecoregion has several major topographic features (Map 1):
● The North Caucasus Plains extend from the nor thern side of the Greater Caucasus mountain range to
the Kuma-Manych Depression. The southern part of the plains belong mostly to the Pontic Steppe terrestrial
ecoregion. The western par t of the plains is covered by cultivated lands, which were once grassland steppe,
the eastern par t by sem ideser ts (used as winter pastures). The principal fauna species in the near past included
the globally threatened Saiga Antelope, which is possibly extinct from the region because of the dramatic
decline of the Kalmykia source population (Kuznetsov & Lushchekina, 2002; Neronov et al., 2013).
The North Caucasus Plains lie entirely in the Russian Federation and contain the Kuma-Manych Conservation
Landscape (see the chapter “Conservation Landscapes”).
● The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range extends across the Ecoregion from the nor thwest
to the southeast for nearly 1,500 km extending into Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Russian Federation.
The highest summits rise to more than 5,000 m in the central part (reaching 5,642 m on the summit of
Mt. Elbrus, the highest peak of the Caucasus) and to more than 4,000 m in the western and eastern parts
of the range. The main ecosystems include different types of forest, high mountain grasslands and shrubs,
and sub-nival and nival ecosystems. It is considered to be one of the centres of origin of high mountain species
(Dolukhanov, 1966). The principal fauna species include the globally threatened Leopard, Bezoar Goat and
endem ic Western Tur, as well as Brown Bear, endem ic Eastern Tur, Caucasian Chamois and Caucasian
Red Deer (see also the brief descriptions of Western, Central and Eastern Greater Caucasus Conser vation
Landscapes in the chapter “Conservation Landscapes”).
● The Transcaucasian (or South Caucasus) Depression lies between the Greater and Lesser Caucasus
mountain ranges and extends across Georgia and Azerbaijan. The Kura river (the longest river in the region
– 1,515 km) flows through the eastern part of depression for much of its length on its way to the Caspian Sea.
There are three prom inent elements within the depression:
(a) humid Kolkheti Lowlands in the western part of the depression covered by endemic alder forests
and wetlands (including unique percolation bogs) that are related to the Colchic refuge of Tertiary flora
(Garsteki et al., 2017) and also classified as temperate rainforests (Nakhutsrishvili, Zazanashvili &
Batsatsashvili, 2011); it is an important stopover site for migrating birds;
(b) dry Kura-Ara(k)s Lowlands in the eastern (Caspian) part comprising steppes, semideserts and deserts,
and flood plain (so called Tugai type) forests, fragmented remnants of which have survived along rivers;
the fauna of this element includes the globally threatened goitered gazelle;
(c) the Iori-Ajinour Plateau, located in the north-eastern part of the depression, and which is represented
by low mountains and plateaus covered by a combination of dry pistachio-juniper open woodlands, steppes
and semideserts. Fauna in the near past included the globally threatened Leopard.
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The Kolkheti and Iori-Mingachevir Conservation Landscapes correspond to the “a” and “c” elements of
the depression. The Caspian Conservation Landscape partly covers the m ost eastern part of
Kura-Ara(k)s Lowlands. Also, important is the Likhi Bridging Landscape that divides the western and
eastern parts of the depression and serves as a natural bridge between the Greater and Lesser Caucasus.
● The Lesser Caucasus Mountain Chain (and the Doğu Karadeniz Dağlari)3 borders the Southern Uplands
from the north, east, and west and extends across Georgia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and into Iran.
The highest summits rise to nearly 4,000 m. The main habitats include different types of temperate forests and
high mountain grasslands. The north-western part of the chain mostly belongs to the Black Sea catchment
basin. It is humid (with a maximum mean annual precipitation of 4,500 mm at Mt. Mtirala in Georgia) and
covered by refugial Colchic forests with tall evergreen under wood and concentrations of Ter tiar y relict and
endemic plant species. These forests are also classified as temperate rainforests (Nakhutsrishvili, Zazanashvili
& Batsatsashvili, 2011). In contrast, the south-eastern part of the chain is much drier: juniper open woodlands,
mountain steppes and xeric shrubs predominate along with drier types of temperate broad-leaved forests.
Most of the Western and Eastern Lesser Caucasus Conservation Landscapes lie in this mountain chain.
The fauna of the western part includes the relict and endemic Caucasian Salamander and Caucasian Viper,
as well as Brown Bear, European Lynx and Caucasian Red Deer; in the eastern part the principal species are
the globally threatened Leopard, Bezoar Goat and Mouflon.
● The Southern Uplands4, made up of lava ridges and a broad volcanic plateau, are surrounded by
the Lesser Caucasus mountain chain. The Southern Uplands extend across par ts of Georgia, Armenia,
Azerbaijan (Nakhchivan), Turkey, and Iran. The feature has an average elevation of 1,700-1,900 m and
rises to more than 5,000 m at its highest point). The area is dry, mostly forestless, covered by mountain
steppes, high mountain grasslands and dr y shrub com munities; it is moderately rich in lakes and wetlands.
Fauna includes Brown Bear, European Lyn x and a variety of reptiles.
The Sarikamish-Maku and South Caucasus Uplands Conservation Landscapes and three Bridging Landscapes
lie in this area.
● The Talysh-Western Alborz Mountains in the south-eastern Caucasus extend along the Caspian Sea
across the border between Azerbaijan and Iran. These mountains, which rise to more than 4,000 m (within
the Caucasus boundaries), are separated from the Lesser Caucasus mountain chain by river depressions
and mountain ridges. Lower slopes (up to 800-1,000 m) facing the Caspian Sea are covered by relict humid
Hyrcanian broad-leaved forests; at higher elevations the climate becomes drier and Hyrcanian forests are
replaced by temperate broad-leaved forests and mountain steppes. Principal fauna species are Leopard,
European Lyn x and Brown Bear.
The Hyrcan Conservation Landscape almost fully coincides with the area.
● The Sabalan (Savalan) mountain range, named after the inactive volcano Sabalan (4,811 m), is formed
from parallel ridges and serves as a natural bridge between the Lesser Caucasus and Talysh-Alborz
mountains within north-western Iran. Its main habitats include mountain steppes (up to 2,300-2,500 m) and
high mountain grasslands with thornbush communities at higher elevations up to approximately 4,000 m
(Encyclopaedia Iranica 2011). The principal fauna species is Leopard.
The Arasbaran Conservation Landscape partly coincides with the Sabalan mountain range.
Doğu Karadeniz Dağlari – Eastern Black Sea Mountains of Turkey that we consider as the most western part of the Lesser Caucasus mountain chain.
Southern Uplands or Southern Caucasus Uplands – we use this toponym for all mountainous areas, ridges and plateaus bounded by the Lesser Caucasus
mountain chain from west, north and east.
3
4
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Terrestrial Ecoregions
The Caucasus Ecoregion fully or partly covers the following terrestrial ecoregions (Map 2), see also
the interactive map at ecoregions2017.appspot.com);
Fully:
● Caucasus mixed forests
(https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0408);
● Azerbaijan shrub desert and steppe
(https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa1305);
Partly:
● Western part of Caspian-Hyrcanian mixed forests
(https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0407);
● Eastern part of Crimean- Submediterranean forest complex
(https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0416);
● The most northern portion of Eastern Anatolian deciduous forests
(https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0420);
● Eastern, Colchic part of Euxine-Colchic deciduous (broadleaf) forest
(https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0422; shape of this terrestrial
ecoregion needs substantial revision, see e.g. Nakhutsrishvili et al., 2011);
● A small portion of the most western part of Elburz Range Forest Steppe
(https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0507);
● A small portion of the most eastern part of Northern Anatolian Conifer and Deciduous Forest
(https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0515);
● A small portion of the Northern part of Eastern Anatolian Montane Steppe
(https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0805);
● A small portion of the Southern part of Pontic Steppe
(https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0814).
The Caucasus Ecoregion’s southern borders are m ostly in line with biogeographical concepts accepted
by Caucasus specialists (Davis, 1971; Zohary, 1973, Dolukhanov, 1980; Browicz, 1989; Avci, 1996, etc.).
Furtherm ore, the im portance of geographical barriers, such as m ain watersheds, larger river valleys in
determ ining clim atic patterns and correspondingly patterns of vegetation has been known for a long tim e;
it was used for one of the first botanical-geographical divisions of the Caucasus that is partly valid even today
(Kuznetsov, 1909).
Delineation of the northern border is based mostly on geological criteria because there is no obvious biogeographical border. Looking at the interactive m ap of terrestrial ecoregions, we see that the Pontic Steppe
(PA0814) ecoregion extends far beyond the Caucasus boundaries up to the Ural mountains in the north-east.
Unlike this ecoregion, the Crimean Submediterranean Forest Complex (PA0416) has much closer phytogeographic and geographic relations with the Caucasus (Kuznetsov, 1909; Doluhanov mit Bohn, 2000-2003;
Doniţă et al., 2000-2003).
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Map 2. Terrestrial Ecoregions within boundaries of the Caucasus
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Biodiversity Hotspots
At the time the boundaries of the Caucasus Ecoregion were being decided, 25 Biodiversity Hotspots were
identified worldwide (Mittermeier et al., 1999; Myers et al., 2000). Since then, more Hotspots have been
added and the shapes of some Hotspots revised: today, 36 Biodiversity Hotspots are considered as priorities
for global conservation (Marchese, 2015)5. In the early 2000s, the Irano-Anatolian Biodiversity Hotspot was
mapped. Covering 1,384,926 km² 6, the hotspot extends from the western part of central Turkey (western
Anatolia) through Iran to Turkm enistan in the east, and from southern Georgia in the north alm ost to
the Indian Ocean in the south, coinciding to a large degree with the western part of the Irano-Turanian Floristic
Region (Takhtajan, 1986). During this exercise, the boundaries of the Caucasus Hotspot were revised: along
with some other changes, the most northern part of the Terrestrial Ecoregion PA0805 Eastern Anatolian
Montane Steppe, initially included in the Caucasus, was cut and added to the newly delineated Irano-Anatolian
Hotspot (Mittermaier et al., 2004).
The m ap of the Caucasus Hotspot with its revised boundaries is attached to the corresponding chapter of
the second edition of the World’s Hotspots book (Zazanashvili et al., 2004). Those boundaries are supported by
a number of concepts (Gagnidze, 1999; Zazanashvili, Gagnidze & Nakhutsrishvili, 2000; Olson & Dinerstein,
2002, etc.), but some parts of the boundary are highly questionable. Especially doubtful is the northern-most
part of the Eastern Anatolian Montane Steppe ecoregion, represented by the volcanic uplands of Djavakheti
(Georgia), Arpi Lake (Arm enia) and Childir Lake (Turkey). This part of the Caucasus is a single continuous
assem blage of high m ountain and freshwater ecosystem s where steppe plant com m unities occur along with
widespread m esic subalpine and alpine grasslands and herb lands that are also typical for other parts of
the Caucasus. Other characteristic elem ents are the rem nants of Caucasian subalpine pine (on drier slopes) and
poplar-ash-birch woodlands that were quite common in the past in certain habitats (Troitsky, 1927; Sosnovsky,
1933; Gulisashvili, 1952; Dolukhanov, 2010, etc.). The area’s fauna, particularly mammalian fauna, is also quite
“circumboreal” (it is not similar to the fauna of the Irano-Turanian region of the Ancient-Mediterranean subkingdom, according to Takhtajan, 1978, 1986) and does not differ substantially from other parts of the Caucasus.
From the perspective of conservation planning and m anagem ent, Caucasian specialists also think that
it does not make much sense to include a small portion of the Caucasus into the Irano-Anatolian hotspot:
e.g. Armenia’s portion of the Irano-Anatolian hotspot is less than 1% of its total area, Georgia’s portion –
around 0.2%, and the same for Azerbaijan (part of Nakhchivan).
Conclusions
The Caucasus ecoregion’s boundaries are based on a m ixed concept and the process of deciding them was
driven by stakeholders and experts. While the boundaries are still conditional, they are m uch m ore natural than
the political-administrative borders that defined the Caucasus during the Soviet period. At the same time, we
retain the initially agreed concept of the Caucasus (Biodiversity Hotspot) boundaries (Mittermaier et al., 1999;
Williams et al., 2006), noting that revision of the agreed boundaries would require a considerable amount of
research to identify the proportions of Caucasian (in a broad sense) and non-Caucasian biogeographic features
within the areas of interest.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to all of the experts and stakeholders who have contributed, and who continue to contribute
to conservation planning for the Caucasus ecoregion. We acknowledge in particular the contribution of
Prof. Dr. Niko Beruchashvili to defining the boundaries of the ecoregion and his preparation of several basic
them atic GIS m aps of the region. His untim ely passing was a great loss.
5
6
See also https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/hotspots-defined
See https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/irano-anatolian and https://atlas-for-the-end-of-the-world.com/hotspots/irano-anatolian.pdf
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KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS IN THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION
Com piled by
M. Bitsadze , K. Manvelyan , E. Askerov , M. Mousavie, V. Shm unk f, S. Kalem g, N. Zazanashvilia,h ,
R. Mnatsekanovf, S. Devranoglu Tavselg, M.Cevik i,j, K. Ahm adova c, G. Beruchashvilia ,
A. Kandaryan b and M. Garforth h,k
a
a
b
c,d
WWF-Caucasus, Tbilisi, Georgia; b WWF-Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia; cWWF-Azerbaijan, Baku,
Azerbaijan; d Institute of Zoology of Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences, Baku, Azerbaijan; eWildlife
Conservation and Management Bureau, Iran Department of Environment, Tehran, Islamic Republic of
Iran; f WWF Russian Caucasus Branch, Krasnodar, Russia; g WWF-Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey; h Ilia State
University, Institute of Ecology, Tbilisi, Georgia; iAcademia Consulting, Ankara, Turkey; jNature
Research Society, Ankara, Turkey; kIndependent Expert
Co n t e n t s : Introduction; Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas; Key highlights from the process of KBAs
identification; Conclusions; Acknowledgements; References; Suggested citation.
In tro d u ctio n
The concept of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) - defined as “sites of global significance for biodiversity
conservation” (Eken et al. 2004, Langhammer et al. 2007) or “sites that contribute significantly to the global
persistence of biodiversity” (IUCN 2016) - is widely acknowledged. KBAs are identified through the application
of standard criteria that cover all levels of ecological organisation, including genetic diversity, species and
ecosystems (KBA Standards and Appeals Committee 2019).
The first significant steps towards the identification of sites of global importance for biodiversity conservation
in the Caucasus were taken during the developm ent of the regional conservation program m e (Caucasus
Biodiversity Hotspot Profile) of the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), co-facilitated with
the support of Conservation International’s Center for Applied Biodiversity Science and WWF Caucasus in
the 2000s. The Caucasus Profile defined conservation outcomes for the Hotspot at three levels:
(i) Species Outcom es – target species that were globally threatened according to the m ost recent
IUCN Red List for that time. A total of 51 species of six taxa – mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish
and plants - were considered as the species outcomes;
(ii) Site Outcom es – areas that were im portant for the conservation of globally threatened target species.
The CEPF identified 205 site outcomes that harboured the target species and covered around 19% of
the Caucasus Hotspot; and
(iii) Corridor Outcomes – large-scale landscapes allowing persistence of biodiversity by ensuring
connectivity and maintaining ecological processes (CEPF 2003).
The CEPF`s methodological approach for the identification of sites critical for the conservation of threatened
biodiversity is still valid. In the ECP 2020, the core concept of the CEPF approach has been expanded and
the m ain principles of the IUCN Global Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas (IUCN 2016)
have been followed in identifying KBAs in the Caucasus Ecoregion.
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Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas
The identification of KBAs in the Caucasus for ECP 2020 was built on the experience of defining the site
outcomes for the CEPF Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot Profile (CEPF 2003); in particular, 205 site outcomes
were used as the baseline for identifying KBAs in the Ecoregion. The inform ational base also included
56 priority conservation areas and 60 corridors identified for the very first Ecoregional Conservation Plan
for the Caucasus using a species-based methodology adapted from the one developed by the scientific unit of
WWF-US (Williams et al., 2006).
Identification of KBAs was based on principles that approximate to the criteria defined in the above-mentioned
IUCN global standard for identifying KBAs that contribute to the global persistence of threatened species
(criterion A1), individual geographically restricted species (criterion B1) and demographic aggregations of
species (criterion D1). Species categorized in the IUCN Red List of Globally Threatened Species (IUCN 2019)
as Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) or Vulnerable (VU) were applied with criterion A1, species
with restricted distribution with criterion B1, and species that aggregate in particular areas during a specific
life-history stage or process such as breeding, feeding or migration with criterion D1.
The process of KBAs identification involved over 100 experts from the Ecoregion, representing scientific,
governmental and non-governmental organizations, working together at national and regional meetings and
in distance consultations.
The process of identifying KBAs followed six steps:
● Identification of globally threatened species (trigger species under criterion A1) occurring in the Caucasus
Ecoregion.
● For the South Caucasus countries - Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia – the second step was to compile
basic data and map the distribution of identified globally threatened species. In the case of Iran, Russia and
Turkey, the second step was to refine the borders of previously identified CEPF site outcomes taking into
con sideration changes to the threat categor ies of species in the IUCN Red List and the distr ibution s of newly
listed globally threatened species.
● Overlaying GIS layers of CEPF site outcomes (used as the baseline) and areas of distr ibution of globally
threatened species, and delineating KBAs.
● Assessing delineated KBAs again st two more cr iter ia: individual geographically restr icted species (tr igger
species under criterion B1) and demographic aggregations of species (trigger species under criterion D1).
● Assessing whether potential tr igger species meet the relevant thresholds in delineated KBAs.
● Refining the delineated boundaries of KBAs by considering other existing important biodiversity areas, such
as protected areas, Impor tant Bird Areas, Ram sar sites and Emerald sites as well as topographic features.
A total of 362 globally threatened species triggering criterion A1, 14 species triggering criterion B1 and
66 species triggering criterion D1 were considered during the identification of KBAs. Out of the globally
threatened species, 121 are listed as vulnerable, 119 as endangered and 122 as critically endangered;
they comprise 276 species of plants, 17 species of mammals, 23 species of birds, 21 species of reptiles,
two species of amphibians, 22 species of fish and one species of crustaceans (Table 1, Annex 1).
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Table 1. The IUCN Globally Threatened Species of the Caucasus Ecoregion (2019)
Distribution by Countries
Vulnerable
En dan ge re d
Critically
En dan ge re d
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Ge o rgia
Iran
Russia
Tu rke y
IU CN Cate go ry
Mammals
17
9
5
3
9
8
10
7
12
5
Birds
23
15
5
3
17
21
19
20
23
19
Reptiles
21
8
7
6
6
8
8
4
8
13
2
2
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
22
8
2
12
3
11
12
9
14
10
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
Plants
276
78
100
98
73
46
63
1
49
90
Total
362
121
119
122
108
95
114
42
106
138
Taxa
Number of
Species
Amphibians
Fish
Crustaceans
At the conclusion of the process, 231 KBAs were identified in the Ecoregion. The KBAs vary in size from
0.44 km² to 3,757.4 km². The total area of all KBAs is 130,113 km² - about 22.2 % of the Ecoregion`s entire
territory (Map 1, Annex 2, Annex 5).
As at 2020, 36.5% of the area covered by KBAs in the Ecoregion is protected through different categories of
PAs and 6.2% of the area is under strict protection as it is covered by PAs of IUCN Category I - Strict Nature
Reserve (Table 2, Map 2).
Table 2. KBA coverage and portion protected by country
Number
of
KBAs
Area of
KBAs
(km²)
KBAs
Pro te cte d
(km²)
KBAs
Pro te cte d
(%)
KBAs under
strict protection
(km²)
KBAs under
strict protection
(%)
Armenia
22
10,294
3,718
36.1
351
3.4
Azerbaijan
48
15,846
8,184
51.6
1,156
7.3
Ge o rgia
60
21,335
6,616
31.0
1,206
5.7
Iran
15
16,483
4,390
26.6
0
0
Russia
54
38,861
20,108
51.7
5,316
13.7
Tu rke y
32
27,293
4,512
16.5
15
0.1
231
130,113
47,527
36.5
8,044
6.2
Co u n try
Total
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
Map 1. Key Biodiversity Areas
S o u r c e s : Important Bird Areas Database, Birdlife International; Ramsar Sites Database, Secretariat of Ramsar Convention;
Emerald Sites Database, Secretariat of Bern Convention; Protected Areas - see sources of Map 2 below; KBAs database (2016 update)
of Nature Society (Doğa Derneği), Turkey; Outputs of ECP 2020 National and Regional Workshops and Experts’ Review.
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SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Map 2. Coverage of KBAs by all categories of Protected Areas
S o u r c e s : Ministry of Environment, Armenia; Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Azerbaijan; Ministry of Environmental
Protection and Agriculture/Agency of Protected Areas, Georgia; Department of Environment, Iran; Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry/General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, Turkey; WWF Caucasus Programme Office; WWF Armenia
Branch; WWF Azerbaijan Branch; WWF-Russia.
25
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
Key highlights from the process of KBAs identification
The Caucasus is a region of global im portance for biodiversity conservation, being one of the world’s biodiversity
hotspots with its exceptionally rich biodiversity and high level of endemism (Mittermaier et al., 1999, 2004).
Over 70% of all trigger species for KBA identification are local, country or regional endemics. All plant trigger
species are endemics and they are covered by the threatened species criterion (A1). As for fauna, over 20% of
all animal trigger species and around 40% of threatened trigger species are endemics and they are covered
by the threatened species (A1) and individual geographically restricted species (B1) criteria. Endemics are
represented in over 70% of KBAs and their number varies from 1 to 32 species in KBAs (Annex 3).
Around 34% of KBAs are triggered by the single criterion A1, 60% of KBAs -by two criteria (A1-B1 or A1-D1),
and 6% of KBAs – by all three criteria (A1-B1-D1). The number of all trigger species in KBAs varies
from 1 to 43 (Annex 3). When all KBAs had been delineated, there remained 22 species out of the 362 initially
identified globally threatened species which are out of any KBAs in the Ecoregion, including 12 critically
endangered species.
Defining whether potential trigger species met the relevant population-size threshold at delineated KBAs
was the most challenging part of KBA identification because the required data was often lacking or not
sufficient in most cases. More intense and consistent research and comprehensive assessment are required to
compile all the necessary information and confirm that KBAs meet the quantitative threshold associated with
the KBA identification global standard. Threatened species have a relatively high probability of extinction and
even small populations of these species can contribute to their conservation and survival (Eken et al. 2004).
It is important not to miss or exclude KBAs which may harbour populations of global conservation significance
sim ply because of lim itations in research and lack of relevant data.
The application of thresholds was approached differently for plant and animal trigger species. In the case
of plants, for over 95% of trigger species, it was assessed whether they satisfy the relevant population-size
threshold at respective KBAs. In the case of fauna, an absolute threshold for the occurrence of trigger species
in KBAs was applied. The endem ism rate of the globally threatened trigger species should be considered in
relation to population-size threshold because a high rate of endemism substantially lowers risks associated
with disregard of the population-size threshold. The application of the absolute threshold for the occurrence of
trigger fauna species provides a reasonable basis for further intense research and monitoring of the identified
KBAs to fill data gaps and better inform relevant stakeholders.
Conclusions
The 231 KBAs identified as geographic priorities for ECP 2020 will underpin the conservation planning and
the developm ent of protected areas networks at both national and regional levels in the Caucasus Ecoregion.
Furthermore, together with the information collated during their identification, the KBAs can be used to guide
investments in conservation, foster biodiversity research in areas where data are insufficient, increase political
recognition, and support inform ed decisions for biodiversity conservation, sustainable developm ent and
m anagem ent practices.
Although the KBAs are sites of global significance for preventing biodiversity loss, it does not mean that
the KBA approach is sufficient by itself and that no other sites are important for biodiversity conservation.
The identification of areas of significance for the conservation of nationally and regionally threatened
biodiversity is also crucial (Langhammer et al., 2007; IUCN 2016). Besides, further detailed assessment of
identified KBAs from the perspective of their importance for nationally and regionally threatened biodiversity
is a very im portant additional step ahead towards proper planning and prioritization of relevant conservation
m easures and establishm ent of better m anagem ent practices.
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SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Many KBAs have been form ally designated as protected areas and at the sam e tim e, m any protected areas have
been identified as KBAs. However, the identification of KBAs does not imply that all identified sites should be
legally protected: form al protection m ay not be feasible or relevant for all KBAs. It is im portant to m anage
the identified KBAs in a way that ensures the persistence of trigger species or other biodiversity elements
for which the particular KBAs were recognized. KBAs which fall outside of protected area system s m ay be
managed by a variety of approaches (Dudley et al., 2014).
Finally, it should be highlighted that KBAs identification and refining of their boundaries is an iterative
process as our environm ent is dynam ic, the knowledge of biodiversity is changing over tim e and new data
becom es available continuously. Generally, all KBAs should be considered as priorities for research as data
on conservation targets triggering the KBAs need to be updated and reconfirmed (Langhammer et al., 2007;
IUCN 2016).
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all those experts who contributed to the revision and updating of the geographic
priorities of the KBAs. We are also grateful to Birdlife International for providing us with the last version of
the m ap of Caucasus IBAs.
References
CEPF 2003. Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Ecosystem Profile, Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot.
https://www.cepf.net/sites/default/files/final.caucasus.ep_.pdf
Dudley, N., Boucher, J.L., Cuttelod, A., Brooks, T.M., and Langhammer, P.F. (Eds). 2014. Applications of Key
Biodiversity Areas: end-user consultations. Cambridge, UK and Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.
Eken, G., Bennun, L., Brooks, T.M., Darwall, W., Fishpool, L.D.C., Foster, M., Knox, D., Langham m er, P.,
Matiku, P., Radford, E., Salaman, P., Sechrest, W., Smith, M.L., Spector, S. & Tordoff, A. (2004): Key
biodiversity areas as site conservation targets. BioScience 54, 1110-1118.
https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/54/12/1110/329687
Freyhof, J ., Khorozyan, I., Sadigov, F., J aposhvili, B., Batsatsashvili, K., Fayvush, G., Shukurov, E. (lead
authors), et al. (2015): Freshwater key biodiversity areas: critical sites for threatened freshwater
biodiversity. Pp. 8-21 in Garforth, M., ed. Towards sustainable dam and hydropower in the South
Caucasus. WWF, Tbilisi.
IUCN 2016. A Global Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas, Version 1.0. First edition.
Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.
IUCN 2019. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2019-3. <https://www.iucnredlist.org>
KBA Standards and Appeals Committee 2019. Guidelines for using a Global Standard for the Identification
of Key Biodiversity Areas. Version 1.0. Prepared by the KBA Standards and Appeals Committee of
the IUCN Species Survival Com m ission and IUCN World Com m ission on Protected Areas. Gland,
Switzerland: IUCN. viii + 148pp.
Langham m er, P.F., Bakarr, M.I., Bennun, L.A., Brooks, T.M., Clay, R.P., Darwall, W., De Silva, N., Edgar, G.J .,
Eken, G., Fishpool, L.D.C.,3 Fonseca, G.A.B. da, Foster, M.N., Knox, D.H., Matiku, P., Radford, E.A.,
Rodrigues, A.S.L., Salaman, P., Sechrest, W., and Tordoff, A.W. (2007): Identification and Gap Analysis of
Key Biodiversity Areas: Targets for Comprehensive Protected Area Systems. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.
Mittermeier, R.A., Myers, N., Robles Gil, P. & Mittermeier, C.G., eds. (1999): Hotspots: Earth's biologically
richest and most endangered terrestrial ecoregion. CEMEX/ Agrupación Sierra Madre, Monterrey.
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Mittermeier, R.A., Robles Gil, P., Hoffmann. M., Pilgrim, J., Brooks, T., Mittermeier C.G., Lamoreux, J., da
Fonseca G.A.B., eds. (2004): Hotspots revisited: Earth’s biologically richest and most endangered
ecoregions. CEMEX/ Agrupacion Sierra Madre, Mexico City.
Solomon, J., T. Shulkina & J.I. Schatz, ers. (2013): Red List of the Endemic Plants of the Caucasus: Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Russia and Turkey. Monographs in System atic Botany from the Missouri
Botanical Garden (MSB) 125. Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Saint Louis.
Williams, L., Zazanashvili, N., Sanadiradze, G. & Kandaurov, A., eds. (2006): An Ecoregional Conservation
Plan for the Caucasus. WWF, BMZ, KfW, CEP, MacArthur Foundation, Tbilisi.
Su g g e s t e d cit a t io n : Bitsadze, M., Manvelyan, K., Askerov, E., Mousavi, M., Shmunk, V., Kalem, S.,
Zazanashvili, N., Mnatsekanov, R., Devranoglu Tavsel, S., Cevik, M., Ahmadova, K., Beruchashvili, G.,
Kandaryan, A. & Garforth, M. (2020). Key Biodiversity Areas in the Caucasus Ecoregion. Pp. 21- 28 in
Zazanashvili, N., Garforth, M. and Bitsadze, M., eds. Ecoregional Conservation Plan for the Caucasus,
2020 Edition: Supplementary Reports. WWF, KfW, Tbilisi.
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CONSERVATION LANDSCAPES IN THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION
Com piled by
N. Zazanashvili , K. Manvelyan , E. Askerov , M. Mousavie, V. Shm unk f, S. Kalem g, G. Beruchashvilia ,
M. Bitsadze a and M. Garforth h,i
a,h
b
c,d
WWF-Caucasus, Tbilisi, Georgia; b WWF-Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia; cWWF-Azerbaijan, Baku,
Azerbaijan; d Institute of Zoology of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, Azerbaijan; eWildlife
Conservation and Management Bureau, Iran Department of Environment, Tehran, Islamic Republic of
Iran; f WWF Russia Caucasus Branch, Krasnodar, Russia; g WWF-Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey; h Ilia State
University, Institute of Ecology, Tbilisi, Georgia; iIndependent expert
a
Co n t e n t s : Introduction; The first large landscape attempt; Conservation landscape approach of ECP 2020;
Conservation Landscapes of ECP 2020 and Corridor Outcomes of CEPF 2003; Brief analysis; Conclusions;
Acknowledgements; References; Suggested citation.
In tro d u ctio n
Large landscape approaches to nature conservation, especially approaches that originated in the USA, are being
applied increasingly around the world. As the Center for Large Landscape Conservation explains 7, “Large
landscape conservation looks beyond national parks, beyond strict lines on m aps between civilization and
wilderness, to connect and sustain vast areas where wildlife live and m ove freely, clean water and other
ecological benefits are supplied, working lands support sustainable communities, indigenous cultures thrive,
and the places that are special to us and vital to the Earth’s ecology rem ain healthy for present and future
generations. Large landscape conservation transcends boundaries – crossing political jurisdictions, cultures,
socio-economic barriers, and disciplines of knowledge – to safeguard intact, healthy landscapes for the lasting
benefit of nature and people the world over.”
In our rapidly industrialising world, habitat fragm entation is one of the m ain threats to biodiversity (Haddad
et al., 2015; Tucker et al., 2018). This is why “connectivity” is now one of the most important considerations in
conservation. But maintaining or restoring connectivity at the large landscape level requires healthy ecosystems
and ecological processes, and these can be achieved only with the active involvem ent of the local population
and cross- and trans-boundary cooperation (Worboys, Francis & Lockwood, 2010; Correa Ayram, 2016;
Curtin & Tabor, 2016; Tabor et al., 2019). Especially important is the role the local population could play in
the development of OECMs - “other effective area-based conservation measures”, which will be crucial if the world
is to protect and manage land for biodiversity on the scale that is needed (Wilson, 2016; Dudley et al., 2018).8
The first Large Landscape attempt
In the Caucasus the Large Landscape approach was applied for the first time during planning and implementation of
the regional conservation programme of the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) in the 2000s. The CEPF’s
approach was based on three pillars: species outcomes (globally threatened species); site outcomes (subsequently
transformed into the concept of Key Biodiversity Areas); and so called corridor outcomes (CEPF 2003).
The third pillar - corridor – conceptually is the same as large landscape: as the CEPF explains, “Corridor outcomes
are large-scale landscapes that need to be conserved in order to allow persistence of biodiversity. While protecting
sites alone will not be sufficient to conserve biodiversity in the long-term, conservation of landscapes (corridors)
7
8
https:/ / largelandscapes.org/
see also https:/ / natureneedshalf.org/
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
large enough to allow the persistence of biodiversity must be anchored on core areas (site outcomes), embedded in
a matrix of other natural habitat and anthropogenic land uses. The CEPF identified and delineated corridors within
the Caucasus using the following criteria: coverage of site outcomes; existence of large-scale intact biota assemblages;
needs of wide-ranging (landscape) species; connectivity of habitats; and opportunities for maintaining ecological
and evolutionary processes. Areas that were considered for corridors included intact rivers and landscapes, natural
mountain passes, known migratory corridors and areas with spatial heterogeneity that could serve as steppingstones
for many species” (CEPF 2003).
Map 1. Corridor Outcomes, CEPF 2003
Ex p la n a t io n : 1- Kuma-Manych; 2 - Greater Caucasus; 3 - Caspian; 4 - West Lesser Caucasus; 5 - Javakheti; 6 - East Lesser
Caucasus; 7 - Iori- Mingachevir; 8 - Southern Uplands; 9 - Arasbaran; 10 - Hyrcan.
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SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
During the CEPF’s planning, the experts for the Caucasus hotspot identified and delineated ten conservation
corridors/large landscapes: Kuma-Manych; Greater Caucasus; West Lesser Caucasus; Javakheti; East Lesser Caucasus;
Iori- Mingachevir; Caspian; Hyrcan; Arasbaran; and Southern Uplands (Map 1). The total area of the ten corridor
outcomes was 20.8 million hectares, constituting 35.5 percent of the hotspot. Corridor outcomes contained the majority of
the globally threatened species that occur in the Caucasus (according to IUCN Red List 2002) and were - and still are important areas for Caucasian endemics. The majority of the protected areas in the hotspot fell within the boundaries
of the 10 corridors. Corridors included 84 percent of the sites by number identified in site outcomes, and 94 percent by
area. Of the ten corridors, using certain criteria, five were determined to be priority (target) corridors for conservation
and CEPF investments (CEPF 2003).
Conservation Landscapes approach of ECP 2020
The CEPF’s conceptual approach is still valid but in the 2020 edition of the ECP, instead of “site outcomes” we apply
the more recent and widely-adopted concept of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) (IUCN 2016) and instead of the CEPF’s
“large-scale intact biota assemblages” we focus on relatively large areas with undisturbed or less disturbed ecosystems
(in the Caucasus, “large-scale intact biota assemblages” have survived only in the highest belt of high mountain
landscapes).
The criteria which were used to identify the Conservation Landscapes in ECP 2020 are:
(a)
Coverage of KBAs, including Important Bird Areas (IBA) and Freshwater KBAs (Freyhof et al., 2015);
(b)
Possibility to address habitat fragmentation and consequently to maintain or restore ecological connectivity
at the large landscape level, which:
(b1) implies the existence, and takes account of the needs, of species that range over large landscapes, and
the existence of large areas of undisturbed or less disturbed ecosystems; and
(b2) supports the maintenance of the whole spectrum of ecological and evolutionary processes and
environmental services, taking into account regional patterns of global climate change.
During 2016-2018 nine national and two regional workshops were convened to review and revise the thematic
and geographical priorities of ECP 2020, including Conservation Landscapes. Additionally, national experts
did a substantial amount of homework between workshops to correct and perfect the shapes of the Conservation
Landscapes. The results were screened and adopted by experts and stakeholders from all six countries of the Caucasus
at a final regional workshop in December 2018. The final outcome was 13 Conservation Landscapes and the experts
also mapped seven so called Bridging Landscapes (Map 2, Annex 4, Annex 5). With one exception which is discussed
below, Bridging Landscapes are not large enough to perform all the functions of Conservation Landscapes but they
have an important connectivity role as corridors for wide-range species, supporting genetic flow between populations
of different Conservation Landscapes.
Conservation Landscapes of ECP 2020 and Corridor Outcomes of CEPF 2003
In the ECP 2020, the shapes of six CEPF 2003 Corridor Outcomes are slightly changed while four are
substantially changed: Greater Caucasus, West Lesser Caucasus, East Lesser Caucasus and Caspian (Table 1).
Caucasian experts concluded that the Greater Caucasus, which extends across the Caucasus from the northwest
to the southeast for nearly 1,500 kilometres, is too large and diverse to be considered a single landscape for
conservation planning. Following the traditional physical-geographic division of the range (Gvozdetsky, 1954;
Maruashvili, 1986; etc.), it was divided into three smaller segments: Western, Central, and Eastern Greater
Caucasus. Elbrus and Kazbegi Peaks are the major landmarks between these segments. Thus, instead of
the single Corridor Outcome in 2003, the ECP 2020 has three Conservation Landscapes.
31
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
From the West Lesser Caucasus Corridor Outcom e, its littoral part represented by the Kolkheti lowlands has
been rem oved and m apped as a separate landscape (Kolkheti Conservation Landscape): although the Western
Lesser Caucasus and Kolkheti Lowlands have some integrated processes, they are significantly different both
in origin and ecosystems (Gerasimov, 1966; Svanidze, 1989; Kiknadze, 1990).
Armenian experts drew a new shape for the East Lesser Caucasus Corridor Outcome with the effect that
in ECP 2020, the equivalent Eastern Lesser Caucasus Conservation Landscape extends from the northern
to the southern borders of the country covering half of the territory of Arm enia.
The Caspian Corridor Outcome was significantly narrowed within the coastal area of Azerbaijan and
at the sam e tim e, it was expanded by a narrow strip along the Kura river. The m ain reason for this was to create
the possibility in the future of restoring the pathways of anadromous fish, especially globally threatened
sturgeon species.
Table 1. Corridor Outcomes, CEPF 2003 and Conservation Landscapes, ECP 2020: changes of shapes
# and name, CEPF 2003
# and name, ECP 2020
Main changes
1. Kuma-Manych
1. Kuma-Manych
Eastern part slightly extended.
2. Greater Caucasus
2. Western Greater Caucasus
3. Central Greater Caucasus
4. Eastern Greater Caucasus
(a) Divided into three parts; (b) Enlarged, especially
on the northern slope of the range in Russia: here the
border coincides with the 1,000 m a.s.l. isoline.
3. Caspian
5. Caspian
(a) Narrowed within the coastal area of Azerbaijan;
(b) expanded by a narrow strip along the Kura river.
4. West Lesser Caucasus
6. Kolkheti
7. Western Lesser Caucasus
(a) A sm all part (Erusheti volcanic m assif) rem oved
and added to J avakheti/ South Caucasus Uplands;
(b) Kolkheti Lowlands with coastal and littoral areas
m apped as a separate landscape.
5. Javakheti
8. South Caucasus Uplands
See (a) in the row im m ediately above.
6. East Lesser Caucasus
10. Eastern Lesser Caucasus
Enlarged.
7. Iori- Mingachevir
11. Iori- Mingachevir
Alm ost no changes.
8. Southern Uplands
9. Sarikamish-Maku
Small, western-most portion removed and included in
the Sarikamish-Posof Bridging Landscape
9. Arasbaran
12. Arasbaran
Alm ost no changes.
10. Hyrcan
13. Hyrcan
Alm ost no changes.
Brief analysis
Of the thirteen Conservation Landscapes, ten are transboundary, covering m ore than one country, and
three are “national” (Table 2): Kolkheti (Georgia), Arasbaran (Iran) and Kuma-Manych (Russia). Kolkheti
directly borders the Western Greater Caucasus and Western Lesser Caucasus. Arasbaran directly borders
the Eastern Lesser Caucasus and Hyrcan and almost borders Sarikamish-Maku. Kuma-Manych geographically
is comparatively isolated; from a biodiversity viewpoint it is a landscape mostly for birds and fish that migrate
long distances.
The total area of the thirteen Conservation Landscapes is 251,408 km² (terrestrial – 243,492 km² and
marine – 7,916 km²), comprising approximately 43% of the Caucasus region compared with 35.5% for CEPF
Corridor Outcom es. Conservation Landscapes contain alm ost all globally threatened species which occur
in the region and are im portant areas of waterfowl congregations and Caucasian endem ics. Conservation
Landscapes include 189 of the Ecoregion’s 231 KBAs (more than 81%, by number, which is almost
the same percentage as for CEPF 2003). Bridging Landscapes include a further 10 KBAs, taking the total
to 199 or over 86%. The remaining 32 KBAs (around 14%) lie outside Conservation and Bridging Landscapes.
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SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Map 2. Conservation Landscapes and Bridging Landscapes
Ex p la n a t io n : Co n s e r v a t io n La n d s c a p e s : 1 - Kuma-Manych; 2 - Western Greater Caucasus; 3 - Central Greater
Caucasus; 4 - Eastern Greater Caucasus; 5 - Caspian; 6 - Kolkheti; 7 - Western Lesser Caucasus; 8 - South Caucasus
Uplands; 9 - Sarikamish-Maku; 10 - Eastern Lesser Caucasus; 11 - Iori-Mingachevir; 12 - Arasbaran; 13 - Hyrcan.
B r i d g in g La n d s c a p e s : A - Likhi; B - Trialeti-Gombori; C - Algeti-Loqi; D - Sarikamish-Posof; E - Aras; F - Bazum; G - Aragats.
S o u r c e s : Corridor Outcomes (CEPF 2003); Maps of KBAs and PAs – see above; Outputs of ECP 2020 National and Regional
Workshops, and Experts` Review; Report on Mapping of Anatolian Steppe and Ecosystem Types in Anatolian Steppe (FAO/UN, 2019).
In terms of area, over 86% of KBAs are in the Conservation Landscapes and over five percent of KBAs fall
within the Bridging Landscapes while around nine percent of KBAs are out of the Conservation and Bridging
Landscapes. In addition, the majority of the 362 protected areas in the Caucasus fall within the boundaries
of ECP 2020 Conservation Landscapes. The proportion of the area of each Conservation Landscape and
of the area of KBAs within them which are included in Protected Areas is shown in Table 2.
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
Overall, around 20% of the area of Conservation Landscapes and 38.8% of the area of KBAs within
the Conservation Landscapes are covered by PAs. PA coverage is highest in the three Conservation Landscapes
of the Greater Caucasus: in the Western section, 42.2% in total and 66.9% for KBAs; in the Central section,
24.3% and 40.4%; in the Eastern section, 31.5% and 82.3%. The Kolkheti, South Caucasus Uplands, Eastern
Lesser Caucasus and Arasbaran Conservation Landscapes have a PA coverage of more than 22% of their total
areas and more than 30% of the KBAs inside them. The Western Lesser Caucasus and Hyrcan Conservation
Landscapes have only a little more than 10% of PA coverage of their total areas and little more than 20% of
the KBAs inside them : this is too low considering that these Conservation Landscapes are the two m ain areas
of concentration of tertiary relict species and unique temperate rainforests.
Bridging Landscapes on average are considerably sm aller than Conservation Landscapes and contain far fewer
KBAs and protected areas (Table 3, Annex 5). The only exception is the Sarikamish-Posof Bridging Landscape
in Turkey which connects Sarikamish-Maku Conservation Landscape with Western Lesser Caucasus and
South Caucasus Uplands Conservation Landscapes. KBAs cover more than 76% of Sarikamish-Posof, but
the PA coverage is inadequate: only 5% of the total area of KBAs is covered by PAs.
Table 2. Conservation Landscapes, KBAs and PAs (inside CLs)
#
Conservation
Landscape
Countries
a
Area (km²)
Number
of KBAs
Area of CL
covered by
KBAs (%)
Number
of PAs
Area of CL
covered by
PA (%)
Area of
KBAs
covered by
PA (%)
1
Kuma-Manych
RU
23,769b
10
42.8
4
4.4
9.6
2
Western Greater
Caucasus
GEO, RU
26,070c
18
55.5
28
42.2
66.9
3
Central Greater
Caucasus
GEO, RU
21,133
14
56.6
22
24.3
40.4
4
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
AZ, GEO, RU
38,445
23
25.9
36
31.5
82.3
5
Caspian
AZ, RU
21,835d
25
34.5
20
16.9
48.5
6
Kolkheti
GEO
1,970e
8
71.4
2
22.7
31.7
7
Western Lesser
Caucasus
GEO, TR
33,237f
24
50.3
35
10.2
20.2
8
South Caucasus
Uplands
AM, GEO, TR
5,648
15
57.8
10
22.6
39.1
9
Sarikamish-Maku
IR, TR
20,905
12
41.9
4
6.4
13.1
10
Eastern Llesser
Caucasus
AM, AZ
15,347
14
62.6
34
23.1
36.2
11
Iori-Mingachevir
AZ, GEO
10,729
16
52.3
17
14.2
27.2
12
Arasbaran
IR
13,643
5
48.8
6
28.2
52.5
13
Hyrcan
AZ, IR
18,677
8
31.9
17
10.9
23.6
251,362.2
192g
44.4
252
19.8
38.4
Total
Ex p la n a t io n : (a ) Abbreviations: AM – Armenia, AZ – Azerbaijan, GEO – Georgia, IR – Iran, RU – Russia, TR – Turkey;
( b) Including both terrestrial (22,424 km²) and marine (1,345 km²) parts; (c) Including both terrestrial (25,847 km²) and marine
(223 km²) parts; (d ) Including both terrestrial (16,266 km²) and marine (5,570 km²) parts; (e) Including both terrestrial (1,449 km²)
and marine (521 km²) parts; ( f ) Including both terrestrial (32,980 km²) and marine (257 km²) parts; (g ) overall, there are 189 KBAs
within the Conservation Landscapes: three KBAs - #42 (Gorge of the Eshkakon and Malka rivers), # 62 (Svaneti 2) and #63 (Range
Kodori) fall in both Western and Central Greater Caucasus Conservation Landscapes, which gives a total count of 192 KBAs.
34
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SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Bridging Landscapes are poorly protected: three of the seven have one or no protected areas. KBAs inside
Bridging Landscapes also are mostly not covered by protected areas. Protected area coverage exceeds 10%
in only one Bridging Landscape (Trialeti-Gombori). In contrast, only two Conservation Landscapes (KumaManych and Sarikamish-Maku) have a protected area coverage of less than 10%.
Table 3. Bridging Landscapes, KBA and PAs (inside BLs)
#
Brid gin g
Landscape
Countries
Area (km2)
Number
of KBAs
Area of BL
covered by
KBAs (%)
Number
of PAs
Area of BL
covered by
PA (%)
Area of
KBAs
covered by
PA (%)
A
Likhi
GEO
1,032
0
0
0
0
0
B
Trialeti-Gombori
GEO
1,972
1
10.7
2
11.2
100
C
Algeti-Loqi
GEO
1,461
1
9.6
2
0.7
0
D
Sarikamish-Posof
TR
6,955
3
76.1
5
3.8
5.0
E
Aras
TR
2,523
2
11.9
3
3.8
32.4
F
Bazum
AM
404
0
0
1
6.6
0
G
Aragats
AM
1,179
3
61.7
1
0.3
0.4
10
42.9
14
4.0
8.6
Total
15,527
Conclusions
Connectivity has becom e one of the m ost im portant considerations in conservation: without m aintaining
or restoring connectivity at the landscape level, it is not possible to guarantee long-term survival of viable
biodiversity, healthy ecological processes and associated ecosystem services. Experts from the six countries
of Ecoregion delineated 13 priority Conservation Landscapes and 7 Bridging Landscapes to provide a spatial
framework for ECP 2020 targets and actions. The Conservation and Bridging Landscapes are not equally
protected, but all of them need equal attention for addressing connectivity issues using different approaches
and methodologies, including establishment of traditional PAs and other effective area-based conservation
m easures, transboundary cooperation where feasible, and creation of ecological corridors with participation
of local com m unities.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all those experts who contributed to the revision and updating of the geographic
priorities of the ECP. We are also grateful to Birdlife International for providing us with the last version of
the m ap of Caucasus IBAs.
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36
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STATUS OF LARGE CARNIVORES IN THE CAUCASUS
Com piled by
E. Askerov , K. Manvelyan , Z. Gurielidze d , M. Mousavie, V. Shm unk f, S. Trepet g, A.E. Kütükçü h ,
A. Heidelbergi and N. Zazanashvilij,d
a,b
c
WWF-Azerbaijan, Baku, Azerbaijan; b Institute of Zoology of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences,
Baku, Azerbaijan; cWWF-Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia; d Ilia State University, Institute of Ecology, Tbilisi,
Georgia; eWildlife Conservation and Management Bureau, Department of Environment, Tehran, Islamic
Republic of Iran; f WWF Russia Caucasus Branch, Krasnodar, Russia; g Tembotov Institute of Ecology of
Mountain Territories, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nalchik, Russia; h WWF-Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey;
i
WWF-Germany, Berlin, Germany; jWWF-Caucasus, Tbilisi, Georgia
a
Co n t e n t s : Introduction; Leopard; Striped Hyena; Eurasian Lynx; Brown Bear; Conclusions;
Acknowledgements; References; Suggested citation.
In tro d u ctio n
There are five large carnivore species in the Caucasus: Leopard (Panthera pardus), Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx),
Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena), Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) and Grey Wolf (Canis lupus). Four are listed
in the Bern Convention, nam ely Brown Bear, Grey Wolf, Leopard (all listed in Appendix II), and Eurasian
Lynx (Appendix III) (Breitenmoser, 2010). However, in this review we do not discuss the status of Grey Wolf:
it is common and widespread throughout the ecoregion. Indeed, Grey Wolf is a main actor in human-wildlife
conflicts reported from the majority of administrative districts of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan and some
parts of the Iranian Caucasus.9 Other larger or medium-size carnivores widespread in the region are Golden
J ackal (Canis aureus), Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Eurasian Badger (Meles meles) and rarer J ungle Cat (Felis
chaus) and Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra).
Le o p ard
The Leopard (Panthera pardus)10 is recognised as a flagship animal in the Caucasus ecoregion (Williams,
Zazanashvili, Sanadiradze & Kandaurov, 2006; Caucasus Leopard Working Group, 2017). Despite concern that
this globally threatened species, assessed as Vulnerable according to the IUCN criteria (Stein et al., 2016), had
disappeared from the region altogether, surveys organised in 2002–2005 within the framework of the WWF
Leopard Conservation Programme in the South Caucasus showed that the Leopard still inhabits four “islands”.
These are: (1) Nakhchivan/Azerbaijan-southern Armenia-Karadag range, Iran, (2) Talysh mountains of Azerbaijan
and Iran, (3) Iori-Ajinour Plateau (south-eastern Georgia - north-western Azerbaijan), and (4) eastern Greater
Caucasus (Georgia-Daghestan/Russian Federation). Considering the results of those surveys, WWF Caucasus
Programme Office has focused on assisting governments in establishing new protected areas (PAs), improving their
capacity, management effectiveness and monitoring Leopard and its prey species.
As research in Georgia shows, the main ecological and socio-economic reasons of the wolf’s ability to survive in landscapes greatly modified and occupied
by humans are: reduction in the number wild prey; existence of open land fills close to settlements that attract some carnivores; changes in land use and
husbandry (particularly switching from agriculture to cattle breeding after the collapse of the USSR because of changed m arket dem and; corresponding
appearance of m any unskilled farm ers who lacked the ability to protect dom estic anim als); also changes in landscape com position such as restoration of
scrubs, abandonment of tea and some other plantations, etc. that some carnivores use as shelters (Kopaliani et al., 2009).
9
Previously, the Leopard subspecies that occurs in the Caucasus was identified as Persian (P.p. saxicolor) or Caucasian (P.p. ciscaucasica) Leopard. Recently
the taxonom y of Panthera pardus has been revised: all southwest Asian subspecies, including saxicolor and ciscaucasica, are now unified under one of the
former names - tulliana (Kitchener et al., 2017). Therefore, today we also use Panthera pardus tulliana as the scientific name for the Caucasian Leopard, also
known as Persian Leopard.
10
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
In 2007, with the support of the IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group, a regional status report was produced
(Breitenmoser & Breitenmoser, 2007) in which the above mentioned findings of Leopard distribution were presented
(Lukarevsky et al., 2007) and a Caucasus Regional Strategy for Leopard Conservation was prepared based on
inputs of national experts (Ch. Breitenmoser, U. Breitenmoser, Mallon, & Zazanashvili, 2007). Development of
the strategy was followed by the elaboration of corresponding National Action Plans in Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia. The Regional Strategy11 and National Action Plans in turn facilitated further development of conservation
actions, especially expansion of PAs and monitoring in those three countries.
What do we know exactly about the Leopard’s status in the Caucasus?
Leopard in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan
© WWF
One point that we be certain about is that the status of the Leopard is significantly improved in the Eastern Lesser
Caucasus Conservation Landscape, which covers the Southern Armenia-Nakhchivan region of Azerbaijan and
is linked with Kiamaki Wildlife Refuge in Iran (Askerov et al., 2015). In southern Armenia, the first two Leopard photos
were obtained and 19 scats collected in 2004-2005 from 3 sites (Khorozyan & Abramov, 2007; Khorozyan, Cazon,
Malkhasyan, & Abramov, 2007). Leopard survey in the Nakhchivan section of the Eastern Lesser Caucasus brought
the first hard evidence as recently as 2012 (Avgan et al., 2012). Since then, because of the hunting ban in
Nakhchivan, the establishment of new PAs in the Eastern Lesser Caucasus (mostly during the 2000s both in
Armenia and Azerbaijan), and acceleration of monitoring activities under the WWF Programme (and, consequently,
the growing population of Leopard here), hundreds of Leopard photo-video materials, as well as considerable
amount of scats, have been collected (Table 1). Recently, the number of individuals that inhabit this area was
estimated as 20-24 (Askerov et al., 2019), including 10-12 animals living in Kiamaki (Sanei et al., 2016), but it
seems that the number of individuals could be even more: such supposition is based on photos depicting
the second event of reproduction here - a different mother with two cubs. The first such event was documented
in 2016 with three cubs (Breitenmoser et al., 2017).
Thus, we can say that the Eastern Lesser Caucasus population is still vulnerable, but quite stable and has a good
reproductive potential.
The strategy was revised in 2017 (Caucasus Leopard Working Group 2017): updating of the National Acton Plan in Armenia is completed and in Azerbaijan
is going on.
11
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SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
We also know that the second reproductive nucleus in the region is the Talysh mountains of Azerbaijan: two cubs were
captured by camera-trap in 2016 (Breitenmoser et al., 2017). On the other hand, this area is more affected by poaching
(Askerov et al., 2015; Maharramova et al., 2018) and this may be the main reason why the Leopard population size
here is smaller: approximately half of the Eastern Lesser Caucasus population.
The question of connecting these two populations via bridge ridges located within north-western Iran is still open and
needs more detailed research.
In Iran, according to the last information provided by expert E. M. Moqanaki (2017), Leopard occurs in
the following PAs: Arasbaran Protected Area and National Park, Kantal National Park and Kiamaki wildlife
Refuge, Dizmar Protected Area,12 Marakan Protected Area, Siahroud Roudbar, Sarvelat va javaherdasht and
Gashtrudkhan Protected Areas, also Dorfak-Deylaman No Hunting Area (see also Table 2).
Table 1. Number of photo and video records of Leopard obtained in the period of August 2014 - June 2019
in the South-Eastern Lesser Caucasus (from the Khosrov Reserve to Nakhchivan) and the Talysh
Mountains
Cameratrap sites
Le o p ard
photos/
videos
Female
and male
together
Female with
cubs
Identified
Leopards
Killed
Leopards
re p o rte d
Nakhchivan, AZ,
11/2014-06/2019
80
251/66
6
10
10
0
Talysh, AZ
05/2015-06/2019
21
23/3
0
1
6
1
S. Arm enia
09/2014-06/2019
72
53/23
0
0
8
0
Area/ Time period
No t e s : (a) a sequence of images/footages taken within several minutes at the same site was counted as one photo/video; (b) among
four Leopards (2 and 2 ) forming 3 coupling combinations, Leopards Eve and Basat are caught together only once, Eve and
Araz are caught on two occasions, Burla and Basat – on three occasions; (c) six records of a female with cubs in Nakhchivan
show Eve and four records show Burla; (d) several of the same individuals have been recorded in Nakhchivan and in Armenia; three
animals have been identified for Armenia that have not been recorded in Nakhichevan; it means that during the observation period
the total number of identified individuals for southern Armenia-Nakhchivan/Azerbaijan is not 11+8, but 11+3=14 individuals.
Table 2. C1/Hard Fact records in Iranian Caucasus since 2008
#
Ye ar
Number of observations
Locality
Province
1
2008
1
Dorfak-Deylaman No Hunting Area
Gilan
2
2012
1
Dorfak-Deylaman No Hunting Area
Gilan
3
2015
3
Dorfak-Deylaman No Hunting Area
Gilan
4
2016
1
Dorfak-Deylaman No Hunting Area
Gilan
5
2006
1
Siahroud Roudbar Protected Area
Gilan
6
2010
1
Siahroud Roudbar Protected Area
Gilan
7
2014
1
Sarvelat va javaherdasht Protected Area
Gilan
8
2016
1
Sarvelat va javaherdasht Protected Area
Gilan
9
2015
1
Gashtrudkhan Protected Area
Gilan
10
2008
2 times
Kantal National Park
East Azarbaijan
11
2009
5 times
Kantal National Park
East Azarbaijan
12
2014
1
Kantal National Park
East Azarbaijan
13
2015
1
Kantal National Park
East Azarbaijan
In Iran the term “protected area” has two meanings: (a) protected area as a common term and (b) Protected Area as one of the categories of protected area
m anagem ent in Iran (approxim ately corresponding to the IUCN Category IV).
12
39
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
Within the fram ework of the Program m e of Persian Leopard reintroduction in the Russian Federation,
three individuals were released in the Western Greater Caucasus in 2016: one female and two males were
reintroduced to the Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve (WWF 2016), but unfortunately, two of them have not
survived (one was poached outside the Reserve’s border and one died of unclear causes). In 2018, one male
was added to that population (WWF-Russia’s and internet information).
A small population appears to have survived in the Eastern Greater Caucasus: in February 2015, one individual
was occasionally recorded on video in Dagestan/ Russian Federation, close to Tlyarata Managed Nature Reserve
(Yarovenko & Zazanashvili, 2016). Two further sightings were reported in North Ossetia (Interfax 2017).
Also, two more individuals were released here from Sochi Leopard Breeding Centre in July 2018 (WWF 2018).
This year (2020), it is planned to release five Leopards in the Western Greater Caucasus and North Ossetia
(WWF Russia’s inform ation).
As for the 4th “island” of Leopard occurrence – Iori plateau and Turianchay Nature Reserve13 (eastern Georgia,
north-western Azerbaijan), located between the Greater and Lesser Caucasus - one male Leopard was frequently
caught by camera-traps in Vashlovani National Park (Georgia) between 2004 and 2008 (Lortkipanidze,
Darchiashvili, Kopaliani, 2004). Its footprints were also observed on the left bank of the Alazani river in
the Akhar-Bakhar section of Ilisu Nature Reserve (Azerbaijan). However, since 2009 this individual has
not been recorded again (Presentation of B. Lortkipanidze, NACRES at the regional Leopard conservation
workshop, Tbilisi, October 2014). Expert V. Lukarevsky, who surveyed the area in May 2019, has concluded
that currently there are no Leopards within the whole of this Conservation Landscape, which is generally
rich in wildlife.
More surveys need to be conducted in the Turkish Caucasus for the presence of Leopard in this part of
the ecoregion, especially in its eastern part, close to the state border with the countries where the species
occurs (Spassov, Ignatov & Acosta-Pankov, 2016).
Strip e d H ye n a
The Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is on the verge of extinction in the Caucasus. This globally Near
Threatened (NT) species (AbiSaid & Dloniak, 2015) is included in the Red Lists or Red Data Books of Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Russian Federation as Critically Endangered.
The Striped Hyena used to be widespread in the eastern Caucasus, m ostly in dry landscapes (sem ideserts,
steppes and dry open Pistachio-Juniper woodlands) from lowlands to middle mountains (Heptner &
Sludsky, 1972; Tembotova, 2015), but Hyena number decreased drastically in the first half of the 20th
century mostly due to their persecution by hunters. According to N. Vereschagin (1959), in the 1930s,
a small population of Hyena survived in sparsely populated areas of western Azerbaijan and eastern Georgia:
between 1930 to 1940, 26 individuals were killed in the area and only 5-6 during next 10 years, indicating
a strong negative trend. In Georgia, from 1950 to 1970, only one to two individuals were recorded each
year, m ostly in rem ote gorges of the Vashlovani Strict Nature Reserve and in sanctuaries along the Iori river
floodplain.
In Armenia, after more than 60 years with no sightings, in October 2010, a dead Striped Hyena was found
entangled on an orchard’s barbed-wire fence in the extreme south of the country (WWF 2010; Khorozyan,
Malkasyan & Murtskhvaladze, 2011).
In Azerbaijan, since 2003 Hyena has been recorded a few times in Zuvand (dry, upper part of Talysh mountains)
and in arid landscapes around Mingechevir Water Reservoir. The last hard evidence (photo) is dated May 2009
in north-eastern Azerbaijan, Shabran district (Baghirov & Aliyev, 2013).
We use the term “Nature Reserve” or “State Nature Reserve” (Zapovednik in Russ.) as synonyms of Strict Nature Reserve, IUCN Category I. Kavkazsky and
Teberdinsky Biosphere Reserves in Russia also correspond to that category.
13
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SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
In the mid 1990s, researchers from the NACRES found traces of Hyena in arid landscapes of eastern Georgia
at the border with Azerbaijan (Mills & Hofer, 1998; Butkhuzi, 2002), but since that time no more hard evidence
has been docum ented in the country. The sam e unprom ising status is com m unicated by the Departm ent of
Environm ent of Iran.
There have been no recent sightings of Hyena in the Turkish Caucasus (Kasparek et al., 2004). The last
record was in 1970 when one individual, which was shot and injured by villagers in Sebinkarahisar district
(Giresun province), was later found dead in a garden. The pelt of the anim al was sold to a rich m an in Ankara
(Ref: Ahm et Em re Kütükçü, upon personal com m unication with locals).
Therefore, before discussing conservation m easures for survival of Striped Hyena, com prehensive regional
surveys need to be taken to identify if the anim al is extant in the Caucasus.
Eurasian Lynx
Eu r asian Lyn x (Lynx lynx) 14 is ca t egor ized in the IUCN’s Red List as Least Concern (LC)
(Breitemoser, U. et al., 2015), but special studies to assess the species’ status in the Caucasus ecoregion
have never been conducted. One field study was carried out in Iran in a single protected area located
outside the boundaries of the ecoregion (Moqanaki et al., 2015).
In the Soviet Union, for a long tim e the Lynx’s fur was considered as a natural resource; statistics on
the num ber of killed anim als can therefore be considered to be an indicator of population dynam ics.
In the Russian Caucasus:
● between 1924-1932, from 54 to 152 animals were killed per year;
● between 1956-1960, an average of 63 animals a year;
● between 1961-1970, an average of 29 animals;
● between 1971-1975, an average of 30 animals; and
● between 1971-1975, an average of 14.5 animals (Red Data Book of Krasnodar Krai 2007-2008).
As Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia at that time were part of Soviet Union, the same negative trend can be
extrapolated to the South Caucasus.
The same source indicates that an opposite trend was observed after 1975, particularly between 1980-2005,
when the number of Lynx in the North Caucasus increased from 140 to 550. This trend can also be extrapolated
to the South Caucasus. The reason for this reversal is that since the 1980s in the USSR and its successor states,
more attention has been paid to nature conservation. The first Red Data Books were published in the 1980s
and enforced; e.g. Lynx was included in the Red Data Books of Georgia (Kacharava et al., 1982) in the category
“species on the verge of extinction” and Azerbaijan in the category “rare subspecies” (Alekperov, 1989).
It needs to be underlined that even in case of the North Caucasus we are talking only about a trend, not about
exact num bers: data are provided m ostly by hunting authorities rather than conservation authorities and
are not fully reliable. According to today’s assessm ents, the species occurs in the Russian Caucasus in sm all
numbers (Kavkazsky 2018). Reliable data provided by Prof. Dr. A.N. Kudaktin via personal communication
to the Red Data Book of Krasnodar indicates 12-16 individuals for Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve. In Sochi
National Park, no Lynx were recorded during the regular winter census in 2018 (Sochi National Park 2019),
which indicates that the num ber of individuals is very low.
The subspecies of Eurasian Lynx distributed in the Caucasus mountains, south to Turkey, Iraq and Iran is identified as Lynx lynx dinniki (Satunin, 1915;
Breitenmoser, U. et al., 2015)
14
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
Eurasian Lynx, Vashlovani National Park, Georgia
© WWF
The current situation in the South Caucasus appears to be better than in the North. WWF’s and its partner
organizations’ camera-trap photo-video materials show that this species is quite widespread in the South
Caucasus: Lynx occur in many forested PAs here. During the last 5-6 years, camera-trap materials depicting
Lynx (som etim es with cubs) have been obtained from the following PAs:
● in Ar men ia – Arevik National Park, Khosrov Forest State Reser ve, Shikahogh State Nature Reser ve,
Khustup and Zangezur Managed Nature Reser ves;15
● in Azerbaijan – Zagatala State Nature Reserve, Illisu State Nature Reserve (including Akhar-Bakhar
section), Shakhdag National Park, Korchay Str ict and Managed Nature Reser ves, Hyrcan National Park,
Zangezur National Park;
● in Georgia – Lagodekhi Strict and Managed Nature Reserves, Tusheti, Vashlovani and Borjomi-Kharagauli
Strict Nature Reserves and National Parks, Pshav-Khevsureti National Park and Managed Nature Reserve,
Mtirala and Kintr ishi National Parks. In addition, Lyn x was registered outside PAs as well.
The species is widespread in the Iran ian Caucasus, occur r ing in the following PAs: Arasbaran Biosphere
Reser ve, Kantal National Park and Kiam aki wildlife Refuge, Marakan Protected Area, Lisar Protected Area
and Dorfak-Deylaman No Hunting Area (Mousavi et al., 2016).
The most recent assessment for the Turkish Caucasus puts the number of individuals at between 100-200
with a decreasing trend (Kütükçü, 2019). The main reason for the trend could be habitat fragmentation and
conversion of natural habitats into urban and agr icultural lands.
It is not possible to give a more accurate assessment of the status of Lynx in the Caucasus without a dedicated study.
Managed Nature Reserve – this term is used for protected areas that are differently named in different countries of the region, but all of them more or less
correspond to the IUCN Category IV – Habitat/ Species Managem ent Area; synonym s of it are e.g. Nature Sanctuary, Sanctuary, Wildlife Refuge, in Russ. –
Zakaznik.
15
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Brown Bear
The Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) is a keystone species 16 and top predator in the food chain in m ost habitats
in the Caucasus. Together with Leopard, the Brown Bear serves as an indicator, reflecting the state of
ecosystem s and biodiversity as a whole. Brown Bear has a wide range and occupies m ountain forests but it
also occurs in high mountain meadows, mountain steppes, flood plain forests and open woodlands in foothills
and low mountains; it occurs in almost all forested and many non-forested PAs of the Caucasus. Poaching
is the m ain threat along with habitat loss. While the Brown Bear is categorised in the IUCN Red List as LC
(McLellan et al., 2017), in the National Red Data Books or Lists of South Caucasus countries (Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia) it is assessed as being at higher risk. Together with Grey Wolf, Brown Bear is a main
“actor” in human-wildlife conflicts reported from many rural areas of the region.17
B. Lortkipanidze (2010) tentatively assesses the Brown Bear population in the South Caucasus countries
(Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) as 2,000-2,500. A.C. Burton et al. (2018), based on a study conducted in
May-October in Vayots Dzor district of Armenia, write: “Bears occurred throughout most of our study area,
and the estimated density - 59 Bears/1,000 km², corresponding to an abundance of 171 Bears across our
2,900 km² state-space — exceeds estimates for many Brown Bear populations in North America and Europe.
Furthermore, it exceeds previous ad hoc estimates from the South Caucasus by nearly 5-fold (13/1,000 km²Lortkipanidze, 2010), highlighting the risk of relying on limited data for local and regional conservation
planning. Without extending our surveys spatially and temporally, it is difficult to know whether our study
area supported a high density of Bears or densities in other areas have been underestimated”.
According to official data provided by the Department of Environment of Iran, Brown Bear is common
in the Iranian Caucasus too (Moqanaki, 2017). Brown Bear occurs in the following PAs: Lisar, Siahroud
Roudbar, Sarvelat va javaherdasht, Gashtrudkhan Protected Areas and Dorfak-Deylaman No Hunting Area,
Brown Bear with cubs, Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve, Russia
© S. Trepet, Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve, Russia
A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. Keystone species play a critical role
in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, affecting many other organisms in an ecosystem and helping to determine the types and numbers
of various other species in the com m unity.
17
In general, Grey Wolf, Brown Bear and Leopard are the main carnivores involved in human-wildlife conflict worldwide (Torres, Oliveira & Alves, 2018).
In the Caucasus, the Leopard is occasionally registered as the actor of the conflict with humans that could be explained by law number of Leopards in the
region.
16
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
Arasbaran Protected Area and National Park, Kantal National Park and Kiam aki Wildlife Refuge, and Dizm ar
Protected Area. DNA analysis of Bear scats shows an abundance of the anim al in Arasbaran Biosphere
Reserve – 40 individuals (2.5–97.5% Bayesian Credible Intervals = 27–70; density = 4.88 bears/100 km²)
(Moqanaki et al., 2018); there are also reports of human-Bear conflict from some parts of Iranian Caucasus.
In the North Caucasus, Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve reports around 400 individuals in early summer (Ministry
of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation 2017). There is also information indicating
80-90 individuals in Teberdinsky Biosphere Reserve (Donbay info 2015). In the early 2000s, 240 to
330 individuals were counted in Sochi National Park (Laysheva, 2006); today the Park still reports
211 individuals as a mean number from long-term surveys, and an actual number of 265 (Sochi National
Park 2019). However, it needs to be considered that at least 80% of individuals inhabiting Kavkazsky
Biosphere Reserve and Sochi National Park is a shared population (about 300 individuals); this means
that the bear population in these two large protected areas together is still high, at slightly less than
400 individuals (Trepet et al., 2020).
It seem s that, within Russia, in the eastern part of Greater Caucasus the population is lower, perhaps because
coverage by PAs is m uch lower in the east; still, the species occurs in all PAs in this part of the ecoregion too
(National Park Alania, Erzi State Nature Reserve, Tlyaratinsky Federal Managed Nature Reserve, etc.); SeveroOssetinsky Nature Reserve (around 30,000 ha) reports a population of 30-35 individuals (ru.wikipedia 2019).
Totally, the Brown Bear population in the Russian Caucasus could be estimated as 2,000-2,100
individuals (WWF Russia’s inform ation).
In the Turkish Caucasus, according to an estimate made by A.E. Kütükçü (2019), Brown Bear population size
could be from 500 to 1,000 individuals with a decreasing trend: Brown Bear occur in almost all PAs located
within the Turkish Caucasus.
Conclusions
Based on the above review, we can state that the Striped Hyena has the worst status am ong carnivores in
the Caucasus ecoregion.
The Leopard's status has im proved considerably during last decade, but the species is still at risk in
the ecoregion and active conservation measures need to be continued, including science-based monitoring
with the engagement of local enthusiasts, measures for mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts and awareness
raising. The Leopard is the m ain focal species for the Eastern Lesser Caucasus ecological corridor,
which is under creation within WWF’s Eco-Corridors Fund project (ECF) supported by the German
Governm ent (BMZ/ KfW) 18. The project is being implemented in close cooperation with the local population
and significantly contributing to the conservation of Leopard and other focal species in the region.
The Eurasian Lynx is evidently com m on for the Caucasus forest areas, but the lack of dedicated studies does
not provide an opportunity for m ore accurate assessm ents of the species’ status.
Brown Bear has the best status of the four large carnivores discussed in this chapter, but even for this species,
regional studies need to be conducted to determine more exactly the status of the different Bear populations
and the existing threats.
The situation with law enforcem ent within PAs appears to be satisfactory in every part of the region.
Conservation efforts need to focus on species protection outside PAs: measures could include line-type and
further creation of stepping-stone type ecological corridors with the active involvement of the local
population, and implementation of anti-poaching activities and other measures.
18
https:/ / www.ecfcaucasus.org
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the respective Governm ental organisations of all the countries of the region for providing
inform ation. Special thanks are due to the Departm ent of Environm ent, Iran, Dr. Boris Tuniyev, Sochi National
Park, Russia and Mr. Sedat Kalem, WWF-Turkey for general support and providing the most recent data.
Last but not least, our thanks also go to all field supporters, including local enthusiasts.
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STATUS OF LARGE HERBIVORES IN THE CAUCASUS
Com piled by
P. Weinberg , E. Askerov , K. Manvelyan d , Z. Gurielidze e, M. Mousavif, A.E. Kütükçü g,
A. Heidelbergh and N. Zazanashvilii,e
a
b,c
Severo-Ossetinsky State Nature Reserve, Alagir, Russian Federation; b WWF-Azerbaijan, Baku,
Azerbaijan; cInstitute of Zoology of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, Azerbaijan;
d
WWF-Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia; eIlia State University, Institute of Ecology, Tbilisi, Georgia; f Wildlife
Conservation and Management Bureau, Iran Department of Environment, Tehran, Islamic Republic of
Iran; g WWF-Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey; h WWF-Germany, Berlin, Germany;
i
WWF-Caucasus, Tbilisi, Georgia
a
Co n t e n t s : Introduction; Eastern and Western Turs; Bezoar Goat; Mouflon; Goitered Gazelle (Djeiran);
European Bison (Wisent); Northern Chamois; Red Deer; Conclusions; Acknowledgements; References;
Suggested citation.
In tro d u ctio n
Ten species of large herbivores are found over a relatively sm all area of the Caucasus today: East Caucasian
(Eastern) and West Caucasian (Western) Turs (Capra caucasica and Capra cylindricornis) 19, Bezoar Goat
(Capra aegagrus), Northern Cham ois (Rupicapra rupicapra), Mouflon (Ovis orientalis) 20, Red Deer and
particularly its Caucasian subspecies (Cervus elaphus maral) 21, Goitered Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) 22,
European Bison (Bison bonasus) 23, European Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) and Wild Boar (Sus scrofa).
An eleventh species - Saiga Antelope (Saiga tatarica) - was frequently observed by one of the co-authors
of this review (N. Zazanashvili) during the springs of 1987 and 1988 in herds of 80–120 in their natural
habitat on the Kizlyar steppes and semideserts in northern Dagestan, which is part of the ecoregion
(Zazanashvili & Bolkvadze, 1989). Nowadays, it seems this globally Critically Endangered species, which
historically was distributed even into the north-eastern corner of the South Caucasus, is extinct in the region
mostly due to the dramatic decline of the Kalmykia source population (Kuznetsov & Lushchekina, 2002;
Neronov et al., 2013). Consequently, Goitered Gazelle is the only remaining representative of the Antilopinae
subfamily in the Caucasus.
From the ten large herbivore species listed above, five are considered to be globally threatened: Western Tur Endangered (EN), Bezoar Goat, Mouflon, Goitered Gazelle and European Bison - Vulnerable (VU). The status
of Eastern Tur was reassessed several years ago: the species is now categorised in the IUCN Red List as Near
Threatened (NT), though it is still listed as nationally threatened in the Red List of Georgia. Two other species
are listed as nationally threatened in the Red Lists/ Books of South Caucasus countries: Red Deer (Arm enia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia) and Northern Chamois (Azerbaijan and Georgia).
This review is focused on the five globally threatened species and the three species listed as threatened
in the National Red Lists/ Books.
There is no consensus among scientists as to whether Eastern and Western Turs are separate species (Lydekker, 1913; Nasimovich, 1950; Tsalkin, 1955; Sokolov,
1959; Vereshchagin, 1959; Heptner et al., 1961; Ellerman & Morrison-Scott, 1966; Kotov, 1968; Kuliev & Mamedov, 1974; Schaller, 1977; Baryshnikov 1981; Aiunts
& Kolomyts, 1986; Veinberg, 1993; Kazanskaya, 2007; Weinberg, Akkiev & Buchukuri, 2010, and others). The IUCN Red List refers to them as separate species.
20
According to the last assessments accepted by IUCN (Valdez, 2008), all Mouflons and Urials are considered to be one species (Ovis orientalis Gmelin, 1774). At
the subspecies level, the IUCN Red List recognises Ovis orientalis gmelinii (with the common name Armenian Sheep) as a taxa occurring within the boundaries of
the Caucasus (see https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15739/5076068#taxonomy). However, there are still different, sometimes controversial, opinions about the
taxonomy of Mouflon species and subspecies (Shackleton & Lovari, 1997; Valdez, 2011a). Taxonomic disputes do not change the actual status of Mouflon, which
differs morphologically from all neighbouring wild sheep taxa.
21
Caucasian Red Deer, together with Crimean (C. e. brauneri) and European (C. e. elaphus) subspecies, are now considered as more closely related to each other
forming the elaphus group of subspecies (Gubb, 1990; Grubb & Gardner, 1998).
22
Previously a single species, Goitered Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), commonly known in the Caucasus as Djeiran, was recently divided into two: Goitered Gazelle,
retaining the original Latin name, and Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica) (Wacher, 2010; IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group 2017).
23
Bison taxonomy is contradictory. Some authors consider American and European Bison as a single species due to genetic closeness and despite evident
morphological differences, others as two separate species: European (Bison bonasus) and American (Bison Bison) (see Danilkin, 2005).
19
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Eastern and Western Turs
Turs are endem ics of the Caucasus and particularly of the Greater Caucasus m ountain range. Turs occur in all
three countries sharing the Greater Caucasus: Georgia, Azerbaijan and Russian Federation.
The westernm ost area still harbouring Tur is Mt. Abago in the Tchugush m ountain m assif in Adygea.
The eastern limit is quite distinct, being situated on Mt. Babadagh massif in Azerbaijan. The total length
of the contemporary area of distribution is about 750 km with a width of up to 65 km in the basins of
the Avar Koisu and Andi Koisu rivers in Dagestan (Magomedov, Akhmedov & Yarovenko, 2001), and up to
80 km closer to Mt. Elbrus (Zalikhanov, 1967; Kopaliani & Gurielidze, 2009; M. Akkiev pers. comm.).
The area of distribution is narrowest (about 12 km) in North Ossetia (Veinberg, 2000). Tur are mostly absent
from the southern branches of the Greater Caucasus’ Main (Watershed) 24 Range such as the Kodori and
Svaneti ranges in Georgia (Gavashelishvili, 2004; Kopaliani & Gurielidze, 2009). Because of the steepness and
narrowness of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, especially its eastern part, the Tur’s range there is
naturally narrow. The situation is better on the northern slope, which is considerably wider and where anim als
usually inhabit the parallel structural ranges of the Greater Caucasus, mainly in Kabardino-Balkaria and
partly in Karachay-Cherkessia (Zalikhanov, 1967; M. Akkiev pers. comm.) and North Ossetia.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the total number of Tur in the North Caucasus was estimated at 46,000
animals (Ravkin, 1975). These data are fairly reliable, except those for Krasnodar region, including
the Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve, where 26,000 and 16,000 animals were counted respectively; this
obviously was an overestim ation. Later, a revised estim ate for that period based on the sam e census
results put the number in the Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve at a maximum of 6,900, (Romashin, 2001;
Trepet, 2014). We can conclude that the number of Tur in the North Caucasus was around 35,000.
Western (West Caucasian) Tur, Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve, Russia
© S. Trepet, Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve, Russia
The Greater Caucasus has a com plicated geom orphological structure consisted of three parallel (longitudinal) Ranges (Main, Side and Rocky) and m any
perpendicular (lateral) branches. The Main or Watershed Range of the Greater Caucasus is the Range that forms the watershed between the north-flowing
and south-flowing waters belonging to the Black Sea’s (in the western part) and the Caspian Sea’s (in the eastern part) catchment basins. The Side Range is
located to the north of and close to the main Range; the highest points of the Greater Caucasus – Mount Elbrus (5,642 m), Kazbegi peak and some others – are
situated on the Side Range. The Rocky Range is the final Range to the north and the lowest of the three.
24
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In Georgia, the number started to fall in the mid-seventies (Eriashvili, 1990). The population also fell in
Russia, but starting later, in the mid-1980s, continuing through the 1990s during the disintegration of
the Soviet Union. The decline was the m ost drastic in the western Caucasus and North Ossetia, and
particularly evident in Nature Reserves (Kavkazsky, Teberdinsky and Severo-Ossetinsky) where numbers
dropped by up to two thirds (Romashin, 2001; Trepet, 2014; Weinberg, 2000). The situation was
considerably better in Kabardino-Balkaria and Dagestan.
On the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus in Russia, the Western Tur is found only west of Teberda, m ostly
in Krasnodar region and Adygea where the majority of animals inhabit the Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve
(Trepet, 2014); only a little more than 100 individuals occur outside the reserve (State Report on status of
land-use and nature conservation in Krasnodar Kray 2018). The number of individuals in the Kavkazsky
Biosphere Reserve is considerably lower than in the 1960-80s but still exceeds 3,000 individuals, after
having dropped to about 1,000 at the beginning of the 2000s. However, the population trend is distinctly
positive now (Trepet, 2018).
In Georgia, the number of Western Tur is very low (Table 1). Tur occurs in Svaneti and probably
Racha regions; there is a hybridization zone between the upper reaches of the Enguri and Rioni rivers
(Kopaliani & Gurielidze, 2009), which closely corresponds to the headwaters of the Kuban and Bezengi
rivers on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus in Russia. Reports of Western Tur num ber in Georgia
are contradictory. In the 1990s, numbers were estimated to be 2,500 individuals (NACRES 1996) and in
the 2000s, 1,000 individuals (Kopaliani & Gurielidze, 2009). Data for 2013 indicates about 100 Western Turs
in Georgia (Gurielidze, 2013, 2018), but recent more precise survey in Svaneti region provides a more realistic
figure – approx. 520 (Gurielidze, Daraselia, Kerdikoshvili, 2019; Table 1). Such absolutely different figures
may have been caused by different approaches to Tur taxonomy or survey methodology.
Tur populations of Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria in Russia might be considered as hybrid.
Their total numbers are about 12,000 and growing at a moderate rate (State report on status of nature
conservation in Karachay-Cherkessia Republic 2014 and 2018; State report on status of nature conservation
in Kabardino-Balkaria Republic 2018; Akkiev, 2018). Out of the 12,000, 1,470-1,940 inhabit Teberdinsky
Biosphere Reserve and about 500 – Daut Managed Nature Reserve (J. Tekeev, pers. comm.), and up to
6,000 occur in Kabardino-Balkarsky Nature Reserve (M. Akkiev, pers. comm.).
The distribution of the Eastern Tur is m uch wider and the num ber is m uch higher. In Russia, it occurs in
North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan. The total population in the Russian North Caucasus
is about 19,000, of which up to 2,300 individuals occur in Severo-Ossetinsky Nature Reserve and Alania
National Park, with a positive trend (State report on status of nature conservation in Chechen Republic 2018;
Weinberg, 2018; Yu. Yarovenko & A. Yarovenko, 2018).
In Georgia, the species range runs eastwards from the Tergi (Terek) river basin. Numbers reached 3,300 at
the beginning of the 2000s. Later, in 2013-14, estimates based on aerial surveys put the number of Tur in
Georgia between 3,000 and 5,800 (Table 1).
Table 1. Current Tur numbers
Taxon
Co u n try
Russia
Georgia
Azerbaijan
Total
Total
Western Tur
H ybrid
Eastern Tur
3,0001
5202
12,0003,4
19,0005,6,7
4,0008
7,000 –8,0009
34,000
4,520
7,000-8,000
3,520
12,000
28,000*
43,520*
So u r ce s: Trepet, 2018; Gurielidze, Daraselia, Kerdikoshvili, 2019; State report on status of nature conservation in Republic of
Kabardino-Balkaria, 2018; 4Akkiev, 2018; 5State report on status of nature conservation in Chechen Republic 2018; 6Weinberg, 2018;
7
Yarovenko & Yarovenko, 2018; 8 average figure from results of surveys in 2012-2014 - Gurielidze, 2013; Report 2015; 9this study).
No t e: *totals of the Eastern Tur have been calculated considering the transboundary character of the populations in Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
1
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In the mid-1940s, about 2,000 Turs were hunted and killed annually in Azerbaijan (Vereshchagin, 1947).
If that data is accurate, the number of individuals in Azerbaijan could have been at least 20,000 animals.
The population has declined since then. In 2006-2007, 5,300 Turs were counted on the southern slope, and
1,000 more could have occurred on the northern slope (Guliyev, Weinberg & Askerov, 2009). An overall
census has not been carried out in Azerbaijan since then, but extrapolation of results of surveys conducted in
summer 2013 came up with more than 13,000 animals (Yarovenko & Weinberg, 2013), which might be an
overestim ate. It should be noted that even in m iddle of the last century, Tur density in the eastern section
of Azerbaijan’s part of the Greater Caucasus (the Shahdag area) was considerably lower than in the western
part (in Gabala, Sheki, Gakh and Zagatala districts). Our best estim ate of current num bers is the following:
total population in Azerbaijan up to 10,000 but more likely to be 7,000-8,000 individuals; of those, in 2018,
less than 2,000 occurred in Zagatala and about 1,300 in Ilisu Nature Reserves [A. Muradov’s pers. comm.].
Thus, we estimate the total number of the Eastern Tur to be 28,000 (Table 1).
Eastern (East Caucasian) Tur, Lagodekhi State Reserve, Georgia
© G. Sulamanidze, Lagodekhi State Reserve, Georgia
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Western Tur is listed as Endangered (A2ad) in IUCN Red List (Weinberg, 2008a), and Eastern Tur as Near
Threatened (Weinberg, 2008b). Both Tur species are included in the Red List of Georgia: Eastern Tur as Vulnerable (VU) and Western Tur as Endangered (EN) (Government of Georgia 2014).
Turs, and especially Western Tur, need stronger m easures to protect them from poaching, which is the m ain
threat. Measures could include: creation of protected areas in the Svaneti-Racha section of the Greater Caucasus
in Georgia; improvement of law enforcement outside protected areas (training, proper equipping of responsible
staff, increasing the number of staff); awareness raising of the local population including schoolchildren;
engaging with local hunters and creating incentives for them to get involved in species conservation activities).
The idea of creating a restoration centre for Western Tur in Georgia also exists (Gurielidze, 2018).
Eastern Tur is a target species for the Ecoregional Corridor Fund (ECF) project, which aims at creating
an ecological corridor in the Eastern Greater Caucasus Conservation Landscape in Azerbaijan (see chapter on
Conservation Landscapes); the ECF is funded by the Germ an Governm ent (KfW/ BMZ).
The CNF with support of WWF and TJS, together with Georgian NGO NACRES and experts from Azerbaijan,
recently initiated regular m onitoring of Tur (and Red Deer) in the transboundary area of Lagodekhi (Georgia)
and Zagatala (Azerbaijan) in the Eastern Greater Caucasus, including satellite monitoring using radio collars
which will show patterns of Tur m ovem ent and contribute to better planning of conservation actions. The CNF,
through a GEF grant, currently runs a wildlife m onitoring program m e for a num ber of selected PAs in South
Caucasus countries that will also contribute to the stability and im provem ent of the status of Tur populations.
Be zo ar Go at
The Bezoar Goat’s geographic range extends from Pakistan to Turkey. In the Caucasus, there are two distinct
populations: one inhabits the Lesser Caucasus and is connected with Iranian and Turkish populations;
the other inhabits the Greater Caucasus and is isolated from other populations. In the Greater Caucasus,
Bezoar Goat occurs in its eastern part, in the river basins of Argun (Georgia and Chechnya), Andi Koisu
(Georgia and Dagestan) and Avar Koisu and in Chirakhchai in south-eastern Dagestan (Babaev et al., 2017).
In the Lesser Caucasus mountain chain, the species survives only in the its south-eastern part.
Bezoar Goat, Khosrov Forest State Reserve, Armenia
© A. Malkhasyan, WWF
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Being residents of forested steep slopes, it is difficult to survey Bezoars by methods of direct counting traditional
for m ountain ungulates. This explains the variability in population data for the Greater Caucasus, which were
often based on rough estimations provided by state hunting authorities (e.g. Ravkin, 1975; Tochiev, 1975).
Data for the Dagestan part of the species’ range are the m ost detailed and presum ably m ore precise, especially
for the 1990s-2010s: surveys conducted by zoologists indicated 1,500 animals in the 1990s (Weinberg, 1999)
and 2,500 at the end of the 1990s–beginning of 2000s (Magomedov et al., 2014). Thus, the data do not show
significant population growth in Dagestan in the 1970s-1990s (Table 2).
Data for Chechnya are poor: estimates for the 1970s suggest 250-600 individuals (Ravkin, 1975;
Tochiev, 1975; Batkhiev, 1980) and there are even suppositions that the species is close to extinction or is
already extinct there (e.g. Magomedov et al., 2014). In any case, the bulk of the Bezoar Goat population in
the Greater Caucasus inhabits Dagestan, where hum an im pact is growing and Bezoar num bers are decreasing;
currently there are about 1,500 individuals (Babaev et al., 2017).
All sources for Georgia state that there were just 100-300 animals in Tusheti and Khevsureti from
the 1970s to 2010s (Kapanadze, 1978; Arabuli, 1989; Veinberg, 1999; Mallon et al., 2007; NACRES 2010;
Gurielidze, 2013; NACRES 2013; Report 2015).
Based on the national data, the current Bezoar Goat population in the Greater Caucasus is up to 1,500 animals
(Table 2).
Table 2. Dynamics of Bezoar Goat numbers in the Greater Caucasus
Area (Country)
Chechnya
(Russia)
Dagestan
(Russia)
Khevsureti-Tusheti
(Georgia)
Total
2501 - 6002
350-3603
550 1
200-3004
1,0001
1980s
1,000 5
300 6
1,300
1990s
1,5007
Ye ar
1970s
1,500
1998-2010s
2,500-2,600
125
2010s
1,200-1,50010
18011-31012,13
8
9
2,600-2,700
1,200-1,500
S o u r c e s : Ravkin, 1975; Tochiev, 1975; Batkhiev, 1980; Kapanadze, 1978; Prilutskaya and Pishvanov, 1989; 6Arabuli, 1989;
7
Weinberg, 1999; 8Magomedov et al., 2014; 9Mallon et al., 2007; 10Babaev et al., 2017; 11NACRES 2010; 12average figure from results
of surveys in 2012-2013 - Gurielidze, 2013; Report 2015; 13NACRES 2013.
1
2
3
4
5
In Georgia, Bezoar Goat is being protected in Tusheti Strict Nature Reserve (IUCN Category I) and Tusheti
National Park (Cat. II), Pshav-Khevsureti National Park (Cat. II) and Asa Managed Nature Reserve (Cat. IV).
In Russia, there are no strict nature reserves or national parks within the range of Bezoar Goat; there are just
one federal and two regional m anaged nature reserves (IUCN Cat. IV).25
In the Lesser Caucasus, Bezoar Goat occurs in Armenia and Azerbaijan. In the 1970s, the population in
Azerbaijan was estimated at 1,800-2,000, almost all of it in Nakhchivan region (Alekperov, Yerofeeva &
Rakhmatulina, 1976). At the beginning of the 2000s, the population was estimated at 800-1,200 animals,
again almost all of it in Nakhchivan (Guliyev, 2013d), and for 2006-2007, 1,000 Bezoars were estimated for
Nakhchivan (Talibov et al., 2009). More than 500 animals were counted during the latest surveys in 2018 in
the south-eastern part of the region. Results indicate definite growth of the population in Nakhchivan since
2006-2007 (Weinberg, 2019a); so, there are undoubtedly more than 1,200 animals there, no less than 50% of
which inhabit Zangezur National Park and Ordubad Managed Nature Reserve.
25
There are two types of Managed Nature Reserve (Zakaznik) in Russia: Federal - centrally managed and Regional – managed by regional authorities.
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In Armenia, there were reported to be 400-700 animals in the 1970s (Ayrumyan and Gasparyan,
1976), which was almost certainly an underestimate. Surveys carried out in 2006-2007 showed a much
higher number - 1,000-1,500 individuals (Khorozyan, Weinberg & Malkhasyan, 2009). In 2009-2013,
1,134 Bezoars were counted in 10 areas, 235 of those in the central section of the Zangezur range, 258 in
Nrnadzor area (now Arevik National Park and Zangezur Managed Nature Reserve), 168 in Noravank
Canyon (Arpa Protected Landscape/Community Conserved Area), and 145 in Khosrov State Forest Reserve
(Weinberg & Malkhasyan, 2011, 2013). These areas are only a small proportion of the whole Bezoar Goat
range in Armenia, so total numbers definitely exceed 2,500 animals.
In Turkey, Bezoar Goat inhabited several protected areas in the Turkish part of the Caucasus (Kence and
Tarhan, 1997) but no numbers are available. During a survey in Barhal Valley of Kaçkar mountains stretching
along the south-eastern coast of the Black Sea, 64 individuals were counted. Surveys carried out by
the National Parks – Hunting and Wildlife Directorate of Artvin in 2008 counted 898 Bezoars on an area
of 235 km² in the Çoruh river basin from Artvin to Uzundere (Diker et al., 2009). Moreover, an estimated
population of 300 is reported from the Giresun area on the most western end of the Caucasus region by
WWF-Turkey based on regular observations in the region by wildlife expert staff. The latest report from
the General Directorate of Nature Conservation & National Parks (2018) estimated 1,980 animals occurring in
the sam e area now, indicating that the population is increasing. However, the species is still facing num erous
threats in the country including feral dogs, illegal hunting and diseases from domestic animals such as rinderpest.
In Iran, in 1991, 4,000 Bezoar Goats inhabited Alborz-Markazy Protected Area26 (Ziaie, 1997) but no data
were available on populations closer to Ara(k)s river. Census data for Bezoar Goat from 2009 to 2018 are
presented in Table 3 (DoE 2018). The current population in protected areas in the Iranian Caucasus exceeds
4,500 animals.
Table 3. Dynamics of Bezoar Goat numbers in the Iranian part of the Caucasus
Area (Province)
Ye ar
Marakan
(West Azarbaijan)
Kantal & Kiamaki
(East Azarbaijan)
Arasbaran
(East Azarbaijan)
Alamdardaghi &
Ye kan at
(East Azarbaijan)
Gilan Province
2009
1,925
984
953
158
100
2010
1,227
1,186
806
164
41
2011
?
1,075
689
83
133
2012
2,165
1,119
704
133
51
2013
2,006
981
494
70
68
2014
2,694
1,067
504
62
184
2015
2,001
1,378
789
109
125
2016
2,221
1,378
598
98
199
2017
3,150
1,181
827
87
159
2018
2,458
1,476
711
5
135
In Iran, the term “protected area” has two meanings: (a) protected area as common term and (b) Protected Area as one of categories of protected area
m anagem ent in Iran (corresponds to approx. IUCN Category IV).
26
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Based on the data for each country, the total estim ated num ber of Bezoar Goat in the ecoregion is around
10,000 animals, at least 7,500 of which inhabit protected areas of different categories.
Bezoar Goat is categorised as Vulnerable (VU) in the IUCN Red List (Weinberg et al., 2008). In the current Red
Data Book of the Russian Federation, the species is categorised as “Diminishing and being on the periphery of
the distribution” (Weinberg, 2000). In the proposed new version of the Red List of Russia the species is listed
as Vulnerable.
In the Red List of Georgia, Bezoar Goat is categorised as Critically Endangered (Government of Georgia 2014).
Consequently, hunting of the species is prohibited in the country. It is listed as Vulnerable (VU B2ab; C2a) in
the Red Book of Armenia (Malkhasyan, 2010a), and as a “Species whose number has declined in the past and
still is low” in the Red Book of Azerbaijan (Guliyev, 2013d). In Iran, Bezoar Goat is considered as a Protected
Species according to Iran environm ental conservation laws & regulations.
Bezoar Goat is also listed in Appendix III of CITES (as Capra hircus aegagrus).
Improvement of the status of Bezoar Goat in the region and particularly in the Greater Caucasus, requires
the creation of new protected areas in the Russian part of the species range and strengthening the m anagem ent
of existing protected area.
In the mid-2000s, reintroduction of the Bezoar Goat to the northern part of the Lesser Caucasus (from Armenia
to Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park) was attempted but was unsuccessful. Learning from that failed attempt,
a new reintroduction plan could be prepared and implemented in the mid-term (after all necessary resources
have been identified and secured).
In Armenia and Azerbaijan/Nakhchivan, protection is provided by the responsible governmental
organizations and by WWF as part of the Leopard Conservation Program m e for the South Caucasus (Bezoar
Goat is one of the main prey species of Leopard). Bezoar Goat is also a target species for the ECF project which
is aim ing to create an ecological corridor in the Eastern Lesser Caucasus Conservation Landscape in Arm enia
(see the chapter on Conservation Landscapes); ECF is funded by the Germ an Governm ent (KfW/ BMZ).
CNF’s wildlife m onitoring program m e, which is being im plem ented in a num ber of selected protected areas of
South Caucasus countries, will also contribute to im proving the status of Bezoar Goat in the region.
Mouflon
The Lesser Caucasus is the north-western limit of the Mouflon’s range. Within the Caucasus ecoregion Mouflon
occurs in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey. There was an indication of Mouflon presence in Georgia,
at the border with Turkey (Arabuli, 1989), but this was not supported by other sources.
In Armenia, earlier information on Mouflon describes its distribution but does not specify population size or
density (Sarkisov, 1944). The first population census was carried out in the 1970s and produced a figure of 350400 animals for Armenia and the Nakhchivan region of Azerbaijan together (Yavruyan, 1975). There are two
apparently isolated areas of Mouflon distribution in Armenia: the first on Aiotszor Massif and the adjoining Urts
range, near the western part of Nakhchivan/Azerbaijan; the second on the Zangezur range (southern Armenia
and eastern Nakhchivan) and the adjoining Bargushat Range; this second population extends into Nakhchivan
(see below). During the latest surveys, 50 animals were counted on Urts, and 104 on Zangezur and Bargushat
ranges; the total number for Armenia was estimated as not less than 250 (Weinberg & Malkhasyan, 2010).
Anim als counted on Zangezur and Bargushat occur in Arevik National Park and Zangezur Managed Nature
Reserve of Armenia. Despite the fact that later counts show a larger number of animals, Mouflon numbers in
Armenia have definitely declined since the 1950s-70s, as observed by all zoologists, hunters, shepherds and
other knowledgeable persons we interviewed. It should also be noted that the political conflict and increased
military infrastructure on both sides of Armenia-Nakhchivan/Azerbaijan border worsened the situation here.
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
Mouflon, Zangezur Mountain Range, Armenia
© A. Malkhasyan, WWF
In Azerbaijan, data on the Mouflon population from the first half of the 20th century are vague (Dinnik, 1910;
Sarkisov, 1944). In the 1970s, the Nakhchivan population was estimated to be 1,000-1,200 individuals
(Alekperov, Yerofeeva & Rakhmatulina, 1976), while another source estimated 350-400 animals for both
Armenia and Nakhchivan together (Yavruyan, 1975, see above). In 1993, 1,200-1,500 animals were
estimated for Nakhchivan (Guliyev, 2000b). Nowadays, in Nakhchivan region, as in Armenia, there are
two areas of Mouflon distribution: one in the western part and the other in the eastern part of the region
(Talibov et al., 2009). The latest counts, conducted in December 2018 in the south-eastern ‘corner’ of Nakhchivan,
produced the largest Mouflon number since 2006: 119 individuals on Negramdagh Plateau and 90 ones on
the Darydagh Massif and its foothills. The estimate of the total number of individuals is 150 and 120
respectively for each surveyed area (Weinberg, 2019a). The Mouflon population in Nakhchivan has
undoubtedly grown since the beginning of 2000s, but we should take into consideration that this population
is transboundary with Armenia. However, all Mouflons were spotted rather far from the Zangezur range, in
the lowland part of Nakhchivan, closer to the Ara(k)s river. There are lowland areas west from the Zangezur
range, in Nakhchivan, but no such areas east of the range, in Arm enia. It m ay happen that winter conditions and
disturbance along the border restrict Mouflon movement across the Zangezur range. In that case, numbers on
the Arm enian and Nakhchivan slopes of Zangezur shouldn’t be sum m ed up. However, a conservative estim ate
might be about 400 Mouflons in Nakhchivan.
In Turkey, according to Kence and Tarhan (1997), Mouflon occurs along the border with Iran.
H owever, th ere are n o estim ates of th e size of th e Turkish population .
In Iran, there is no data on Mouflon for the north-western part of the country before the 2000s. According to
the latest data (DoE 2018), there are the following Mouflon populations in PAs of East and West Azarbaijan
Provinces of Iran: Kantal National Park and Kiamaki Wildlife Refuge – 25 individuals, Marakan Protected
Area – 965 individuals. Personal communications also substantiate information on the number and density
of Mouflon there. Census data of Mouflon from 2009 to 2018 is presented in Table 4 (DoE 2018).
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Table 4. Mouflon census data for Iranian part
Area (Province)
Ye ar
Marakan (West Azarbaijan)
Kantal & Kiamaki (East Azarbaijan)
2009
1,486
44
2010
984
29
2011
?
66
2012
1,670
36
2013
2,397
24
2014
1,373
44
2015
1,411
39
2016
1,373
37
2017
1,073
65
2018
965
25
Based on the most recent estimates of national population sizes, the total number of Mouflon in the Caucasus
could be around 1,900-2,000 individuals.
Mouflon is listed as Endangered (EN) in the Red Data Book of Armenia (Malkhasyan, 2010b), and as a “Species
whose number declined in the past and is still low” in the Red Data Book of Azerbaijan (Guliyev, 2013e).
In Iran, the Mouflon is also considered as a Protected Species according to Iran environmental conservation
laws & regulations. It is listed as Vulnerable (VU) in the IUCN Red List.
In Azerbaijan/Nakhchivan and Armenia, measures to protect Mouflon are taken by responsible governmental
organizations and by WWF under the Leopard Conservation Programme for the South Caucasus (Mouflon
is one of the main prey species of Leopard). Mouflon (like Bezoar Goat) is also a target herbivore species
for WWF’s ECF project, which is aiming to create an ecological corridor in the Eastern Lesser Caucasus
Conservation Landscape in Arm enia (see the chapter on Conservation Landscapes); the ECF is funded
by the Germ an Governm ent (KfW/ BMZ).
One of the most effective measures significantly contributing to the recovery of Leopard numbers and
the number of its prey species, including Mouflon, is the enforcement of a total hunting ban in Nakhchivan
since 2001. However, considering the low rate of Mouflon population growth, it may be necessary to identify
and implement additional measures for Mouflon conservation in the region. The CNF wildlife monitoring
programme will also contribute to Mouflon conservation as well as to the other species included in
the program m e.
Goitered Gazelle (Djeiran)
In the Caucasus, Goitered Gazelle populated the Kura-Ara(k)s river lowlands entirely until after the start of
the 20th century, almost reaching Tbilisi; its range in the South Caucasus was considered to be the northwestern limit of the specie's distribution. By 1938, their numbers had decreased to between five and six
thousand and the species range had split into several fragm ents due to intensive hunting and agricultural
expansion (Vereshchagin, 1939).
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
In the 1960s, the species became extinct in Georgia (Mallon, Askerov and Zazanashvili, 2016) and the total
number of animals in Azerbaijan dramatically decreased to 20027 (Safarov, 1961). However, after 1961,
several managed nature reserves were established for Gazelle protection and consequently, Gazelle numbers
started increasing. For example, in the 1960s, in Byandovan Managed Nature Reserve on the Shirvan Steppe,
there were just 70 animals and by 1975, in Shirvan Nature Reserve, established in the same area, there were
already 1,700 individuals and the population in the whole of Azerbaijan reached 2,700 (Kotlyarov, 1975).
By 1981, the population reached 3,000-3,500 (Alekperov & Kuliev, 1981). In addition, in 2003, Shirvan
National Park was established with the m ain purpose of Gazelle conservation.
The population continued to grow and in 2015, a census revealed more than 6,200 animals in Azerbaijan.
Today, Shirvan National Park protects about 90% of the Gazelles in Azerbaijan. A small population survives in
Korchay Protected Areas south from Mingechevir water reservoir in the eastern and central sectors of Bozdag
mountains – a landscape of low ridges and hills with flat steppe plains. The estimated population here was
250 in 2004 and, probably, about 600 in 2015 (Mallon, Askerov & Zazanashvili, 2016).
After a feasibility study conducted in 2008 by Dr. David Mallon, reintroduction activities started in Azerbaijan
in different areas suitable for Gazelle. In 2013, the Azerbaijan-Georgia transboundary area was included in
the reintroduction activities. Altogether, around 250 individuals have been translocated from Shirvan to
several sites in Azerbaijan and the Georgian part of the Samukh Steppe. According to the 2019 autumn census,
157 animals occur on the Ajinour Steppe (A. Muradov, pers. comm.). Animals can move freely across the state
border and the population can already be considered as transboundary. Based on regular field monitoring,
the estim ated num ber on the Georgian side, particularly in Sam ukh Steppe, currently is about
120-130 individuals (Report 2019).28
Goitered Gazelle is categorised in the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable (VU) (IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist
Group 2017). In the Red Book of Azerbaijan, it is listed as a “species distributed at the edge of its global
range, which can become extinct without protection measures” (Guliyev, 2013b). In the Red List of Georgia,
the species is listed as extinct in the country (Government of Georgia 2014) but if the further stages of
the species’ restoration in Georgia are successful, it will be re-categorised.
Reintroduced Gazelles, Samukhi plain, Georgia
© V. Kochiashvili, WWF
The figure of 200 may be an underestimate because aerial counts usually omit single animals and small groups. Nevertheless it is clear that the population
in the South Caucasus was close to extinction at that tim e.
This extremely important initiative of species restoration was made possible by many different organisations, but particular thanks go to
the Government of Azerbaijan and IDEA – International Dialogue for Environmental Action, also the Governments of Georgia and Germany and WWF.
27
28
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Measures that need to be taken to further im prove the species’ conservation status in the Caucasus are
the continuation of translocation activities and im provem ent of m onitoring, especially transboundary
monitoring (first attempts for establishing joint transboundary monitoring are being made by WWF with
the involvement of scientists and experts from academia, NGOs and protected areas of Azerbaijan and Georgia).
European Bison (Wisent)
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Caucasian subspecies of European Bison B. b. caucasicus survived
in the West Caucasus but became extinct soon afterwards (Vereshchagin, 1959).
In 1940, the first Bison bonasus × B. Bison hybrids were translocated from Askania-Nova Nature Reserve
(Ukraine) to an enclosure in the Kavkazsky Zapovednik (Strict Nature Reserve). Later, individuals of
B. bonasus were added to m inim ize the occurrence of B. bison genes in the population; in addition, hybrid
males were excluded from reproduction. In 1955, the animals were set free and in 1960, supplementary winter
feeding was stopped (Trepet, 2014). Since then, the Bison population in Kavkazsky Zapovednik and adjoining
areas has grown to 1,100 individuals (TASS 2018). This population is the largest one in the Caucasus, but
is considered as an inter-specific hybrid and is not included in the European Bison Pedigree Book29.
In 1968, 16 B. b. bonasus × B. b. caucasicus were released in Kizgich Valley in the Arkhyz branch of Teberdinsky
Zapovednik. The Kizgich herd never exceeded 55, and by 2012 had shrunk to 5 animals (Semyonov, 2014).
In 2012 and 2013, 8 and 10 animals respectively were added. However, the release area was not well-chosen:
animals cannot survive there without supplementary winter feeding. In the period of 1959-1975, two more
attempts at reintroduction of Bison in North Caucasus were not successful (Lipkovich, 1988).
Bison in reintroduction site, Shahdag National Park, Azerbaijan
© Z. Seydova, WWF
29
The European Bison Pedigree Book has its Editorial Office in Bialoveja National Park, Poland.
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In 1964-68, 47 B. b. bonasus×B. b. caucasicus were translocated to Tseisky Managed Nature Reserve (Federal
Zakaznik) in North Ossetia. The population grew steadily until the beginning of 1990s, reaching about
220-250 animals within the Zakaznik and in the adjoining area of the Severo-Ossetinsky Strict Nature Reserve.
Besides, 27 animals inhabited the neighbouring State Game Reserve. In 1992, the population started decreasing
and it consisted of about 50 animals by 1997 (Weinberg and Komarov, 2004). This decline continued up to
2011. In 2010, 10 animals were brought in from Prioksko-Terrasny Breeding Center and 10 more in 2012.
This triggered growth of the population and 96 animals were registered in February 2019 (Weinberg, 2019b).
In 2018, a new reintroduction, initiated by WWF, was started in North Ossetia. Ten pure-bred animals from
Oksky Breeding Centre and Sweden were brought to Turmon Regional Managed Reserve (Weinberg, 2019b).
In the South Caucasus, until very recently, only one attempt had been made at reintroduction: in 1969,
12 animals were released on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus in the newly founded Ismaily Managed
Nature Reserve in Azerbaijan (later reorganized into a Nature Reserve that finally became part of Shahdag
National Park). The reintroduction was not successful (Gajiev, 2000; Askerov et al., 2014).
A new reintroduction initiative was started in 2019 in almost the same area in a joint effort of the Azerbaijan
Government, IDEA and WWF through the TJS. 12 genetically appropriate animals, collected in European
Zoos, were transported to a specially created and arranged reintroduction site.
Thus, excluding the very recently established small Azerbaijan/Ismaily population, currently there are just
three free-ranging pure-bred (B. b. bonasus × B. b. caucasicus) populations in the Caucasus, all of them in
protected areas on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus in Russia: (1) Tseisky Federal Managed Nature
Reserve and North-Ossetinsky Strict Nature Reserve – 96 animals, (2) Turmon Regional Managed Reserve
– 10 animals (newly released), and (3) Arkhyz Branch of Teberdinsky Biosphere Reserve – 20-25 animals;
altogether – about 120 individuals.
European Bison is listed as Vulnerable (VU, D1) in the IUCN Red List (Olech, 2008). It is categorised in
the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation as “Under threat of extinction” (Danilov-Danilyan, 2000), which
corresponds to the IUCN category Endangered (EN).
For restoration of the species on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, reintroduction efforts need
to be continued and strengthened. In Azerbaijan, individuals need to be added to the Ismaily population and
com plem entary activities m aintained. Restoration of the species on the southern slope of the central section of
Greater Caucasus in Georgia is under discussion by government officials and conservation experts.
Northern Chamois
Cham ois inhabits the Greater and the Lesser Caucasus; however, in the Lesser Caucasus it is presently
confined to the northern and western parts in the Adjara-Imereti mountain range (Vereshchagin, 1947;
Gurielidze, 2015). In Azerbaijan, there is evidence that Chamois occurred in the Lesser Caucasus, on
the Murovdagh range, until the early decades of the 20th century (Vereshchagin, 1959), but probably became
extinct in that area by the 1940s (Vereshchagin, 1947).
In the Greater Caucasus, Chamois sporadically inhabits all three highest, longitudinal ranges - the Main,
the Side and the Rocky - and sometimes occurs at lower altitudes on pastures and in forests. The outer limits
of distribution in the Greater Caucasus has not changed much during the last 50 years, except the westernmost
part, where they do not occur anym ore. The species range in the Greater Caucasus is considerably larger
than the ranges of both Tur species, but it is m uch m ore fragm ented. The actual area occupied by Cham ois is
therefore m uch sm aller and their num ber is m uch lower than those of Tur.
In 1972, about 9,000 Chamois where estimated to occur on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus in
Russia, almost 6,000 of them in Krasnodar region (5,000 of those in the Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve)
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and 1,200 in Stavropol region (Ravkin, 1975). The population declined and by the beginning of the 2000s,
there were estimated to be 1,500 individuals in the Western Greater Caucasus (without Kavkazsky Reserve),
up to 1,300 in the Central Greater Caucasus, and more than 400 animals in Dagestan (Danilkin, 2005).
In addition, there were about 1,000 Chamois in the Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve (Trepet, 2014).
Thus, the total population in the Russian North Caucasus was about 5,500. The most recent data are as follows:
about 3,500 individuals in the Western Greater Caucasus, up to 1,000 in the central part, and about 800 in
Chechnya and Dagestan: totally about 5,300 in the Russian Caucasus (State Reports on the Status of Nature
Conservation for the respective regions, see References). Of these, about 1,200 animals occur in the Kavkazsky
Biosphere Reserve (Trepet, 2018), 300 in Sochi National Park (Semyonov, 2018), about 200 animals in
Teberdinsky Biosphere Reserve (J. Tekeev, pers. comm.), about 250 in the North Severo-Ossetinsky Nature
Reserve, Tseysky Managed Nature Reserve and Alania National Park (Weinberg, 2018).
In Georgia, in the 1970s, numbers were estimated at 20,000 (Kapanadze, 1978), but this figure was clearly
too high. Just 10 years later, at the end of 1980s, only 5,000 were estimated (Arabuli, 1989), and in 2013,
combined aerial counts and ground surveys produced about 3,260 individuals in the Greater Caucasus and
500-600 in the Lesser Caucasus (Gurielidze, 2015).
Chamois, Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve, Russia
© S. Trepet, Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve, Russia
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In the 1950-60s, on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus in Azerbaijan, there were 2,000-2,500 animals.
The population was shrinking and by the end of the 1990s, only 600-800 individuals remained (Guliyev, 2000a).
In Zagatala Nature Reserve, 341 animals were counted in 2015 and 315 in 2018; in Ilisu Nature Reserve,
in the same years, 24 and 18 animals were counted (A. Muradov, pers. comm.) (Table 5). Unfortunately, there
are no data from Shahdag National Park – the largest protected area in Azerbaijan located in the Eastern
Greater Caucasus.
The total number of individuals on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus is about 4,000 animals and
the total for the entire Greater Caucasus, approximately 9,000. Numbers are declining (Table 5).
Table 5. Dynamics of Chamois number in the Greater Caucasus
Co u n try
Ye ar
1960s -1970s
Russia
Ge o rgia
Azerbaijan
9,000 1
20,000 4
2,000-2,500 7
1980s
Total
31,000
5,000 5
1990s
600-800 7
2000s
5,500 2
2010s
5,300 3
3,300 6
400 8
9,000
S o u r c e s : 1Ravkin, 1975; 2Danilkin, 2005; 3State reports 2017, 2018; 4Kapanadze, 1978; 5Arabuli, 1989; 6Gurielidze, 2015;
Guliyev, 2000a; 8A. Muradov, pers. comm.
7
In Turkey, Chamois occurs only in the north-eastern part of the country, mainly the mountains situated
along the south-eastern coast of the Black Sea especially in Rize and Artvin regions as well as Erzurum with
the southernm ost population observed in Gum ushane. Cham ois was known to occur in a num ber of PAs in
that part of Turkey in the 1990s (Kence and Tarhan, 1997) but data on population size were not available until
the 2000s. Nowadays, according to the General Directorate of Nature Conservation & National Parks of Turkey
(2018), there are about 25 animals in their north-eastern PAs. The population size estimate based on work of
WWF-Turkey is more than 100.
Chamois is listed in the Red Data Book of Azerbaijan as a “Species whose number declined in the past and is
still low” (Guliyev, 2013c). In the Red List of Georgia, it is categorised as Endangered (EN/A2a) (Government
of Georgia 2014). Chamois is expected to be included in the new Red List of the Russian Federation (it was
not included in previous versions). It is categorised as Least Concern (LC) in the IUCN Red List.
Directly or indirectly, Chamois conservation is ongoing within the framework of WWF’s ECF project funded
by the Germ an Governm ent (BMZ/ KfW): Cham ois is one of the target species for the creation of ecological
corridors within Georgia’s part of the Western Lesser Caucasus and Azerbaijan’s part of the Eastern Greater
Caucasus Conservation Landscapes (see the corresponding chapter).
However, those measures are not enough: Chamois is now quite rare in the Caucasus; larger scale,
com prehensive, regional or transboundary surveys need to be organized to better understand the reasons for
the population declining and to provide a sound basis for planning further m easures to im prove Cham ois’
conservation status.
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Re d D e e r
The range of the Caucasian subspecies of Red Deer extends over the entire Caucasus, the adjoining Alborz
mountains and Kopetdagh (Baryshnikov, 1981).
Until the mid-20th century, Red Deer were com m on in the Caucasus, though its distribution was already sm aller
than it was at the beginning of 20th century, especially in the foothills and the adjoining plains (Dinnik, 1910).
In the 1920-30s, Red Deer was extirpated in the mountainous part of the Central Caucasus – North Ossetia
and Kabardino-Balkaria (Naniev, 1956; Tembotov & Shkhashamishev, 1984). Approximately at the same time,
the previously continuous range of Red Deer started to separate into two different and isolated groups of
habitats: montane forests and subalpine meadows, and lowland riverside forests (Khekhneva, 1972).
Red Deer vanished from Armenia in the first part of the 20th century (Dahl, 1954), but sporadic migrations
from neighbouring countries may have occurred until recently (Khorozyan, 2010). In Azerbaijan, Red Deer
was extirpated in the Lesser Caucasus at the end of 19th century and in the Talysh m ountains at the beginning
of 20th century. Reintroduction activities were conducted in the Lesser Caucasus in the 1960s: the number of
animals in Goygol Reserve in mid-1980s reached 125, but in the 1990s, because of the Armenia-Azerbaijan
armed conflict, the population dramatically declined again. A very small population survives in the Kura river
flood plain forests in Garayazi-Aghstafa protected areas. The larger part of Azerbaijan’s Red Deer population
occurs on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, e.g. in Zagatala and Illisu reserves (Vereshchagin, 1959;
Guliyev, 2012).
In the 1960s, individuals of the Crimean and European subspecies were introduced into Kabardino-Balkaria
and North Ossetia.
At the beginning of the 1970s, there were about 10,000 Red Deer on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus
in Russia, almost 9,000 of them in Krasnodar region, including 7,000 in Kavkazsky Biosphere Reserve
(Ravkin, 1975). Nowadays, Krasnodar region in the north-western Caucasus harbours the largest Red Deer
population, including: ca. 1,800-1,900 animals concentrated in Kavkazsky Strict Nature Reserve – possibly it
is the m axim um viable num ber considering the carrying capacity of the Reserve’s ecosystem s (the population
has been growing there since the 1990s; Trepet, 2018; S. Trepet pers. comm.), 400 in Sochi National Park
(Semyonov, 2018) and about 200-250 outside protected areas. The number in Karachay-Cherkessia, including
Teberdinsky Strict Nature Reserve, is much lower (Trepet, 2014). There are fewer than 200 non-native Red
Deer individuals in Kabardino-Balkaria (Akkiev, 2018), about 350 in North Ossetia (Weinberg, 2018), and
a sm all num ber of aboriginal Deer in Terek river’s riparian forests.
In Chechnya, the State Report on Nature Conservation (2018) mentions 120 individuals in 2017, but
the dynamics of the population are not certain. In Dagestan, there are about 500 individuals, almost all of which
belong to population that inhabits the Greater Caucasus Range; the majority spend winters on the southern
slope of the range in Georgia and Azerbaijan (Yu. Yarovenko and A. Yarovenko, 2018). A small population
survives in the riparian forests of Terek and, probably, Sulak rivers.
Thus, the total number of Red Deer on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus is about 3,500
(Table 6) mainly in two completely isolated (western and eastern) populations - almost two thirds fewer than in
the 1970s - mainly because of much lower numbers in Krasnodar region, including Kavkazsky Reserve.
Numbers in the Eastern Greater Caucasus have not changed significantly since the 1970s (Ravkin, 1975).
However, the trend now is m oderately positive in the Western Caucasus and stable in Dagestan.
As is shown in the report of the Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia (APA 2018), after a dramatic decrease
in Red Deer populations in the 1990s to the beginning of 2000s, when numbers fell to 200 individuals, the trend
has been positive, especially since 2013. At the beginning of 2019, there were about 1,100 animals in
the country, mostly in two locations: (1) around 350 animals in Lagodekhi Strict Nature Reserve and Managed
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Red Deer in the breeding centre, Dilijan National Park, Armenia
© WWF
Nature Reserve in the south-eastern Greater Caucasus at the border with Azerbaijan (adjacent to Zagatala
Nature Reserve) and Dagestan/Russia (adjacent to Tliarata Federal Managed Nature Reserve),
and (2) an isolated population of around 650 animals in Borjomi–Kharagauli Protected Areas (Strict Nature
Reserve, National Park and Managed Nature Reserve) - in the northern part of the Lesser Caucasus (central
Georgia). Small self-restored populations are reported from Tusheti Protected Areas (Strict Nature Reserve and
National Park) and Tbilisi National Park 30 (Saguramo Branch of the Greater Caucasus) – around 50 individuals
each. It is possible that a very small population of 10-12 individuals survives in Gardabani Managed Nature
Reserve (in what remains of the Kura river floodplains) bordering Azerbaijan (adjacent to Garayazi-Aghstafa
protected areas).
A study by NGO NACRES also shows that the largest population is concentrated in Borjomi-Kharagauli
Protected Areas – up to 500 individuals (for 2015). The Lagodekhi population was assessed as 350 animals
(National Geographic Georgia 2016; Lagodekhi Protected Areas Facebook 2015).
In Azerbaijan, as it was mentioned above, the main population occurs on the southern slope of the Greater
Caucasus: Zagatala Nature Reserve reports more than 700 individuals in 2018 and Ilisu Nature Reserve
about 70 (A. Muradov, pers. comm.) (Table 6). The range of this population, which is connected with
the Lagodekhi population in Georgia, continues eastwards towards Ism aily (Shahdag National Park) and
extends into Dagestan (see above). The overall trend is m oderately positive. A sm all population survives
in floodplain forests adjacent to the Kura river in Garayazi-Aghstafa protected areas (transboundary with
Gardabani, Georgia, see above). Because of armed conflict, the Lesser Caucasus population which existed
in the recent past in Goygol National Park (formerly Strict Nature Reserve) (Guliyev, 2014) is most likely
extinct or survives in a very sm all num ber.
30
There are som e doubts about the presence of Red Deer in this location.
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The total number of Red Deer in Azerbaijan is probably about 800-1,000, shared with Russia and
partly with Georgia.
Based on the above-mentioned figures, the Red Deer population in the Greater Caucasus (Russian Federation,
Georgia and Azerbaijan) might be 4,000 animals (Table 6) and in the Lesser Caucasus about 700 individuals,
85-90% of which inhabit Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and adjacent areas.
Table 6. Dynamics of Red Deer numbers in the Greater Caucasus
Ye ar
Co u n try
Russia
1960s -1970s
10,000 1
2010s
3,500-3,600 2,3,4,5
Ge o rgia
Azerbaijan
~ 400 6
800-10,008
Total
~ 4,500*
S o u r c e s : 1Ravkin, 1975; 2Trepet, 2018; S. Trepet pers. comm.; 3Semyonov, 2018; 4State report Chechen Republic, 2018;
Yarovenko and Yarovenko, 2018; 6 Lagodekhi Protected Areas Facebook 2015; APA 2018; 8A.Muradov, pers. comm. * Considering
transboundary character of the populations.
5
In Iran, according to official data, about 87 individuals occur in the wild in Gilan Province (the Alborz range)
but it is believed that almost all of them are males (DoE 2018). In the recent past, the population of Red Deer
in Iran was higher, especially outside the Caucasus, in the east of the Alborz range, Golestan National Park –
around 2,000 individuals in 1970s and 500 individuals in 2003 (Kiabi et al., 2004).
There are 103 individuals of unknown origin in north-western Turkey (General Directorate 2018).
Thus, the total number of Caucasian Red Deer in the ecoregion is about 5,000 with an overall stable trend and
m oderately positive one in certain areas.
Red Deer is listed as a “Species whose number declined in the past and is still low” in the Red Data Book of
Azerbaijan (Guliyev, 2013a), and as Critically Endangered (CR D) in the Red Book of Armenia (Khorozyan, 2010)
and the Red List of Georgia (CR) (Government of Georgia 2014). Red Deer is considered as a Protected Species
according to Iran environm ental conservation laws and regulations. Red Deer is not listed in the Red Book of
Russia but it is included in the Red Books of the Republics of Adygea and Kabardino-Balkaria. The IUCN Red
List categorises Red Deer as Least Concern (LC).
Priority conservation m easures for Red Deer in the Caucasus are better protection against poaching, creation
of connectivity for isolated populations, and translocations or reintroduction. WWF (through the TJ S)
with CNF is currently supporting the Governm ent of Arm enia in reintroducing Red Deer into the country:
a Red Deer breeding centre has been established in Dilijan National Park. Thanks to the Government of Iran,
8 animals have been already received and put into a 10 ha enclosure at the Breeding Centre (5 more animals
are expected in near future); 3 individuals have been born there.
Red Deer is a target species for the Western Lesser Caucasus (Georgia) and Eastern Greater Caucasus
(Azerbaijan) ecological corridors that are under creation with the active participation of the local population
in the framework of the ECF project funded by the German Government (BMZ/KfW) and which is being
im plem ented by WWF.
CNF and WWF (through TJS) together with the NGO NACRES and experts from Azerbaijan recently
established transboundary monitoring of Red Deer in Lagodekhi-Zagatala area.
Establishing a breeding centre in Georgia is under consideration and is being discussed am ong national
experts, responsible governm ental organizations and international conservation organizations.
As m entioned above, the CNF currently operates a wildlife m onitoring program m e for a num ber of selected
protected areas of South Caucasus countries that will contribute to Red Deer conservation.
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Conclusions
All the species discussed in this chapter need special attention for stabilising their status and/ or recovering
or restoring their populations. Appropriate measures are reflected in targets and planned actions of this new
edition of the ECP (see the first volume – Ecoregional Conservation Plan for the Caucasus).
Restoration of large herbivore species is a major challenge but also a priority: in many parts of the region
relevant habitats are “empty” – large herbivores are hardly visible; this situation negatively affects some basic
ecological processes and reduces eco-tourism potential and the corresponding potential for alternative income
for the local population. For these reasons, on-going initiatives of species restoration should be supported and
continued, and new programmes and projects initiated.
Weak law enforcement and inadequate monitoring, determined by different factors, are probably the main
root causes that need to be addressed for effective mitigation of direct threats such as poaching and habitat
destruction.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the responsible governm ental organisations of all countries of the region for supporting and
providing data. Our thanks also go to all our colleagues who provided inform ation via personal com m unication
and to all our field supporters.
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STATUS OF BIRDS IN THE CAUCASUS
Com piled by
Z. J avakhishvili , K. Aghababyan b , E. Sultanovc,d , M. Tohidifar e,
R. Mnatsekanovf and S. Isfendiyaroğlug
a
Ilia State University, Institute of Ecology, Tbilisi, Georgia; b TSE - Towards Sustainable Ecosystems NGO,
Yerevan, Armenia; cBaku Engineering University, Department of Biology, Baku, Azerbaijan; d Azerbaijan
Ornithological Society, Baku, Azerbaijan; eIran Bird Record Committee, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of
Iran; f WWF Russia Caucasus Branch, Krasnodar, Russia; g Istanbul-Cerrahpaşa University,
Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Entomology and Protection, Istanbul, Turkey
a
Co n t e n t s : Introduction; Number of species recorded in the countries; Endemic and restricted range birds
of the Caucasus; Important places for the conservation of breeding and migratory birds: Important Bird
and Biodiversity Areas and migration bottlenecks; Major threats to birds in the Caucasus; References;
Suggested citation.
In tro d u ctio n
The existence of large oro-climatic barriers in the Caucasus Ecoregion such as the Greater Caucasus mountain
range and Lesser Caucasus m ountain chain has created conditions in which a great diversity of landscapes has
developed. Those landscapes include broadleaved and coniferous m ountain forests, m ountain steppes and
open dry woodlands, subalpine and alpine m eadows, coastal, inland and highland wetlands, riparian forests
and semi-deserts.
This landscape diversity and the geographic position of the region at the crossroads of different bio-geographical
zones support a diverse avifauna. Over 450 species of birds are recorded for the region, among them
23 globally threatened species according to the IUCN Red List (IUCN 2019): 3 Critically Endangered (CR),
5 Endangered (EN) and 15 Vulnerable (VU) (see Table 1).
Number of species recorded in the countries
Ar m e n ia
Different sources indicate different number of bird species for Armenia:
● Adamian & Klem (1997) mention 349 species;
● Ar men ian Societ y for the Protection of Birds 31 indicates 366 species;
● Ar men ian Bird Cen sus 32- 376; and
● Avibase 33- 383.
According to Birdlife International, there are 14 globally threatened species in Armenia (1 CR, 4 EN and
9 VU) together with 16 species in the Near Threatened (NT) category (BirdLife International 2019a).
However, according to recent data from the country, there are 17 globally threatened species in Armenia
(1 CR, 4 EN and 12 VU) (see Table 1).
96 bird species are listed in the Red Data Book of Armenia (Aghasyan & Kalashyan, 2010).
http:/ / www.aspbirds.org
https://www.abcc-am.org
33
https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=AM
31
32
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Az e r b a ija n
According to different sources, the number of bird species recorded in Azerbaijan varies between 348 and 411:
● Birdlife International (2019b) reports 348 species;
● Azerbaijan Ornithological Society34 - 403 species;
● M. Patrikeev (2004) – 372;
● The Cor nell Lab of Or n ithology35– 378;
● Azerbaijan Birds.Watch36– 397; and
● Avibase 37– 411.
The number of globally threatened species also varies according to the different sources. According to
the Azerbaijan Ornithological Society (aos.az) and Avibase, there are 23 globally threatened species.
Birdlife International (2019) lists 19 species (3 CR, 4 EN and 12 VU) together with 18 species of Near
Threatened (NT) category (BirdLife International 2019b). However, according to recent data from the country,
there are 21 globally threatened species (3 CR, 5 EN and 13 VU).
72 bird species are listed in the Red Data Book of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan Ornithological Society 2013).
Ge o r g ia
Differences in bird count exists for Georgia too:
● The Cornell Lab of Ornithology indicates 339 bird species for Georgia38;
● The Special Protected Areas for Birds in Georgia 39– 403; and
● Avibase 40- 408.
According to the Avibase checklist - Georgia41, there are 21 globally threatened bird species in Georgia (2 CR,
5 EN and 14 VU) together with 21 species considered as NT (BirdLife International 2019c). However, according
to recent data from the country, there are 19 globally threatened species (1 CR, 5 EN and 13 VU).
35 bird species are included in the Red List of Georgia (Decree 2014).
Ir a n ( W e s t a n d Ea s t Az a r b a ija n R e g io n s a n d Gila n )
According to Birdlife International, over 360 bird species are recorded in the Caucasian part of Iran; of those,
16 species are globally threatened42 (Birdlife International 2019d). However, according to recent data, there
are 20 globally threatened species (3 CR, 5 EN and 12 VU) (see Table 1).
R u s s ia ( N o r t h Ca u ca s u s R e g io n )
According to the Avibase checklist, 379 bird species are recorded in the North Caucasus region (Southern
Federal District). The increasing num ber of species of the avifauna of the region listed in recent decades
is associated with a growing number of observers. According to V.P. Belik et al. (2016), the avifauna of
the Russian Caucasus includes 402 species. The analysis of new findings and reports shows that 408 bird
species are registered in the region: 273 species nest or presumably nest, 44 species are recorded during
migration, 24 species over-winter in the region and 67 species are migratory (NCAVC 2017, 2018).
Out of the mentioned 408 birds species, 23 species are globally threatened (3 CR, 5 EN and 15 VU).
www.aos.az
https://ebird.org/country/AZ?yr=all
36
https://azerbaijan.birds.watch
37
https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=AZ
38
https://ebird.org/region/GE?yr=all
39
aves.biodiversity-georgia.net
40
https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=GE
41
https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?lang=EN®ion=ge&list=clements
42
Avibase checklist – Iran (West Azarbaijan, East Azarbaijan, Gilan), https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=IRwa, https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/
checklist.jsp?region=IRea, https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=IRgi
34
35
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Tu r k e y ( Bla ck Se a R e g io n )
There are 400 bird species recorded regularly in Turkey of which 313 species are known to breed in
the country (Boyla et al., 2019). The Turkish check list exceeds 481 species and gets longer each year
with an increasing number of birdwatchers. 394 species are recorded in the Black Sea Region, which
roughly corresponds to the Caucasian part of Turkey. Out of these 394 bird species, 19 species are
globally threatened 43 (2 CR, 5 EN and 12 VU).
Table 1. The IUCN Globally Threatened Bird Species in the Caucasus (2019)
Distribution by Countries
43
EN
CR
Iran
Russia
Tu rke y
Birds
VU
Ge o rgia
Scientific Name
Azerbaijan
#
Armenia
IUCN Category
15
5
3
17
21
19
20
23
19
Common Name
23
1
Anser erythropus
Lesser White-fronted
Goose
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
2
Aquila heliaca
Eastern Im perial Eagle
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
3
Aquila nipalensis
Steppe Eagle
+
+
+
+
+
+
4
Aythya ferina
Com m on Pochard
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
5
Branta ruficollis
Red-breasted Goose
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
6
Chlamydotis macqueenii
Macqueen's Bustard
+
7
Clanga clanga
Greater Spotted Eagle
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
8
Clangula hyemalis
Long-tailed Duck
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
9
Emberiza rustica
Rustic Bunting
+
+
+
10
Falco cherrug
Saker Falcon
+
+
+
+
+
+
11
Haliaeetus leucoryphus
Pallas's Fish-eagle
+
+
+
+
+
12
Leucogeranus leucogeranus
Siberian Crane
+
+
13
Marmaronetta angustirostris
Marbled Teal
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
14
Melanitta fusca
Velvet Scoter
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
15
N eophron percnopterus
Egyptian Vulture
+
+
+
+
+
+
16
Numenius tenuirostris
Slender-billed Curlew
+
+
+
17
Otis tarda
Great Bustard
18
Oxyura leucocephala
White-headed Duck
19
Podiceps auritus
Horned Grebe
+
20
Puffinus yelkouan
Yelkouan Shearwater
+
+
21
Rissa tridactyla
Black-legged Kittiwake
+
+
22
Streptopelia turtur
European Turtle-dove
+
23
Vanellus gregarius
Sociable Lapwing
+
+
+
+
+
Avibase checklist – Turkey (Black Sea Region) https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=TRan
74
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
2020 EDITION
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Endemic and restricted range birds of the Caucasus
En d e m ic s p e cie s
All the region’s endem ic species occur in m ountain forest, subalpine and alpine zones. Subalpine and alpine
habitats are important for two Caucasus endemic species - Caucasian Snowcock (Tetraogallus caucasicus)
and Caucasian Grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewicsi = Tetrao mlokosiewicsi) as well as for two restricted range
species - Caucasian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus lorenzii) and Green Warbler (Phylloscopus nitidus) (BirdLife
International 2019e).
Caucasian Snowcock occur only on dry, steep subalpine and alpine slopes with scree and grasslands in
the Greater Caucasus in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Russia.
Caucasian Grouse is closely associated with tim berline habitats, subalpine forests often with birch trees
(Betula spp.), subalpine-alpine Rhododendron caucasicum thickets and grasslands. This species occurs in
both the Greater and Lesser Caucasus m ountain ranges. The largest populations are in Georgia and Russia,
with smaller populations in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran and northeastern Turkey (Sultanov et al., 2003;
Sultanov, 2006; Sultanov, 2018; Isfendiyaroğlu et al., 2007).
Upper mountain and subalpine forests are important breeding habitats for the Caucasian Chiffchaff
(Phylloscopus lorenzii). This species was considered to be a subspecies of Mountain Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus
sindianus), although later it was accepted as full species (Roselaar, 1995; Monroe, Sibley, 1993;
Kirwan et al., 2006). Caucasian Chiffchaff breeds in the high mountain forests of the Greater Caucasus, most
of the Lesser Caucasus and adjacent parts of north-eastern Turkey. In winter, it disperses south as far as Iraq.
Mountain broadleaf forests of the Caucasus are im portant habitat for Green Warblers. The species breeds
in m ountain forests dom inated by oriental beech (Fagus orientalis), oriental spruce (Picea orientalis) and
Caucasian fir (Abies nordmanniana). Green Warbler is distributed in a continuous belt on the northern slopes
of the Greater Caucasus, has a scattered distribution on south facing slopes and in the western part of the Black Sea
basin, and is rare in areas with low humidity. The species winters in the southern part of the Indian subcontinent.
Caucasian Grouse, Zangezur Managed Nature Reserve, Armenia
© A. Malkhasyan,WWF
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
R e s t r ict e d r a n g e s p e cie s
The breeding area of Arm enian gull (Larus armenicus) extends around lakes in Arm enia, Georgia and Turkey;
it is also common in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, and some colonies occur on
the lakes of middle eastern part of Turkey and in Iran (Svensson, 2009).
Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) is an endangered sea duck, which is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN
Red List and has a distinct breeding population in the Caucasus region (Birdlife International 2018). This
species breeds on alpine lakes of the Caucasus (Kirwan et al., 2008) and occurs rarely in Caspian Sea wetlands
in Azerbaijan in winter, e.g. in Gyzylagach National Park (personal communication with E. Sultanov, 2019).
It has been declared extinct in Turkey (Boyla et al., 2019).
Great Rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilla) and White-winged Redstart (Phoenicurus erythrogastrus) are high
mountain species with disjunctive distributions. Isolated populations breed in the Greater Caucasus and
m ountains of Asia (Him alayas, Tangshan, Tibet, Altay). Caucasian populations of both species have been
isolated from larger Asian populations for around 500,000 years (Tietze et al., 2013).
The Caucasus is also im portant for som e other bird species with restricted range such as the m ost northern
populations of Caspian Snowcock (Tetraogallus caspius), Radde's Accentor (Prunella ocularis) and
significant European populations of Semi-collared Flycatcher (Ficedula semitorquata), Red-fronted Serin
(Serinus pusillus) and a m arginal population of Krüper's Nuthatch (Sitta krueperi) (Aghababyan et al., 2017,
BirdLife International 2019e).
The Caucasus region holds significant breeding populations of some raptors, e.g., the largest breeding population
of the globally Near Threatened Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in Europe (Supplementary Material 2015)
and a large population of the globally Endangered Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus). The Caucasus
populations of both species represent more than 10% of their global populations (Botha et al., 2017).
Imperial Eagle hunts a snake, Vashlovani National Park, Georgia
© V. Kochiashvili, WWF
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SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Important places for the conservation of breeding and migratory birds:
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and migration bottlenecks
Existence of Im portant Bird and Biodiversity Areas 44 (IBAs) and occurrence of globally threatened species
(CR, EN, VU) of the IUCN Red List are am ong the criteria applied for identifying Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs)
in the new edition of the Caucasus Ecoregional Conservation Plan (Zazanashvili et al., 2020). During mapping
of KBAs alm ost all IBAs in the Caucasus Ecoregion were considered.
There are 231 IBAs within the Caucasus Ecoregion boundaries, almost half of which (111) are in the Northern
Caucasus. Georgia has the largest area of IBAs as a proportion of territory - 20.55%, comprised of 31 IBAs
covering 14,330 km².
Two large m igration routes (along the coasts of the Caspian and the Black Seas) and several sm aller ones cross
the Caucasus and add to the Caucasus Ecoregion’s international im portance for biodiversity.
The following paragraphs provide data for the countries of the Ecoregion.
Ar m e n ia
There are 18 IBAs in Armenia with a total area of 4,151 km² covering 13.95% of Armenia’s territory
(BirdLife International 2019a). Major bird wintering and migration stopover places are Lake Sevan, Armash
fishponds and Metsamor river system. The IBAs require revision to reflect recent changes in the IUCN Red List
(e.g. the threat status of European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) has been increased (Aghababyan, 2020)
while that of Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) has been decreased) and to take account of recent findings for
endangered breeding species in the country, e.g. Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) (Korepov & Aghababyan, 2020).
The existing IBAs cover a significant portion of breeding ranges for several endangered species, e.g. Khosrov
Reserve IBA covers all the known breeding sites of Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) (Aghababyan &
Khanamirian, 2019).
Az e r b a ija n
There are 53 IBAs in Azerbaijan with a total area of 8,428 km² covering 9.7% of Azerbaijan’s territory (BirdLife
International 2019b).
The western Caspian flyway is one of the largest in the region: here at the Besh Barmag bottleneck (situated
80 km north from Baku at the foothills of the Greater Caucasus), an estimated 1.24–1.51 million migrants
passed through in autumn 2011 and a further 0.65–0.82 million in spring 2012, elevating this bottleneck
to international importance (Heiss, 2016).
Azerbaijan has the main waterbird wintering and migration stopover places in the Western Palearctic.
Some of the largest waterbird wintering sites in Azerbaijan are Kyzylagach and lake Sarysu (about 500,000
wintering waterbirds in the 1990s-2000s), Absheron-Gobustan seacoast (up to 200,000 waterbirds), Aggyol
and Mahmudchala wetlands (up to 100,000 wintering waterbirds), Kura estuary (up to 75,000 waterbirds)
(Azerbaijan Ornithological Society, 2013; Sultanov, 2013, 2019). The population of Eastern Imperial Eagle
(Aquila heliaca) in Azerbaijan - about 120 pairs - is estimated to be the largest in Europe (without Russia)
and the Caucasus (Sultanov et al., 2011).
An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area is an area identified using an internationally agreed set of criteria as being globally important for the conservation
of bird populations (see https://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/programme-additional-info/important-bird-and-biodiversity-areas-ibas).
44
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
Ge o r g ia
There are 31 IBAs in Georgia with a total area of 14,330 km² covering 20.55 % of Georgia`s territory (BirdLife
International 2019c).
One of the world’s largest raptor m igration bottlenecks is located near Batum i, in the southwest of Georgia.
The area is known as the Batum i raptor m igration bottleneck or Eastern Black Sea Migration Bottleneck.
Over one million raptors of about 35 species migrate through this bottleneck every autumn (Galvez et al., 2005;
Wehrmann et al., 2019).
The coastal wetlands of the Kolkheti lowlands are very im portant for wintering waterbirds. Over
200,000 waterfowl (Anseriformes) winter here annually. Georgian territorial waters of the Black Sea are
the most significant wintering area for the Black Sea Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) (Chashchin, 1996).
The large concentration of fish attracts wintering Charadriiforms and Podicipediformes in significant numbers.
Over 200,000 Gulls (predominantly Larus cachinnans and Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and up to 100,000
Great Crested Grebes (Podiceps cristatus) winter in the estuaries of rivers Enguri, Rioni, Supsa and Chorokhi.
Those sites are also im portant for wintering of vulnerable Yelkouan Shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan): flocks of up
to 4,000 birds are recorded every year, feeding on schools of the Black Sea Anchovy (Javakhishvili et al., 2014).
Ir a n
There are eight IBAs within the territory of the Iranian Caucasus: Arasbaran Protected Area, Kiam aki,
Akh Gol, Dasht-e-Moghan, Lavandavil Wildlife Refuges, Lisar Protected Area, Anzali Mordab Complex and
Bandar Kiashar Lagoon, and Mouth of Sefid Rud.
IBA Arasbaran Protected Area is important for conservation of the most south-eastern population of Caucasian
Grouse. These four sites - Anzali Mordab complex, Bandar Kiashar lagoon, and mouth of Sefid Rud and
Dasht-e-Moghan - are important for migratory waterbirds (BirdLife International 2019d).
R u s s ia
There are 111 IBAs within the territory of North Caucasus with a total area of 33,034 km². 32 IBAs of highest
conservation importance were identified and proposed to the Russian Government as potential protected areas
(Lyubimova et al., 2009). IBAs in North Caucasus support the conservation of habitats and populations of
various groups of birds inhabiting steppe, wetlands, forest and m ountain ecosystem s.
Tu r k e y
There are 10 IBAs within the territory of Turkish Caucasus: Eastern Black Sea, Karchal mountains,
Aygir Lake, Aktash Lake, Ardahan Forest, Childir Lake, Kars Plain, Sarikam ish Forest, Igdir Plain and
Yalnizcham Mountains. Coastal KBAs are important for globally significant congregations of wintering
waterfowl (Eken et al., 2006) and they also host significant numbers of Yelkouan Shearwater (Puffinus
yelkouan) (Ortega and Isfendiyaroglu, 2016).
The Borchkha raptor m igration bottleneck is im portant for m igratory raptors of the western Palearctic.
More than 200,000 raptors of 31 species migrate through Borchkha valley every year (Zalles and Bildstein, 2000).
These figures are underrepresented due to lack of observer/researcher activities. The results of
the Batumi raptor count highlight the significance of the Borchkha bottleneck.
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Griffon and Black Vultures, Vashlovani National Park, Georgia
© V. Kochiashvili, WWF
Major threats to birds in the Caucasus
Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, and illegal hunting are the major threats to populations of
breeding birds in the Caucasus. As stated in FAO, UNECE 2019: in the South Caucasus countries - Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia (as well as Central Asian countries) - “there are strong anthropogenic pressures
on the forests, notably from fuelwood dem and for local com m unities, leading to illegal/ excessive logging,
as well as from overgrazing, leading to forest degradation, and from irrigation and hydroelectric schem es along
the rivers, leading to loss of forest cover.”
Heavy grazing pressure by domestic livestock affects grassland ecosystems in the high mountains ( summer
pastures), and steppes and sem ideserts in the lowlands (winter pastures).
In the most water-rich parts of the Caucasus, large, medium and small hydropower construction is causing
major changes in river flow regimes. In addition, unsustainable water management practices are causing
drying or disappearing of som e wetlands.
Poaching and egg robbery is still a significant problem for hunted species and raptors. Also, pollution from
m ining is a problem in certain countries of the Caucasus.
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Plan for the Caucasus: 2020 Edition. WWF, KfW, Tbilisi.
Zazanashvili, N., Garforth, M., Jungius, H., Gamkrelidze, T., Montalvo, C., eds. (2013): Ecoregion Conservation
Plan for the Caucasus. 2012 revised and updated edition. WWF, KfW, BMZ, Tbilisi.
Su g g e s t e d cit a t io n : Javakhishvili Z., Aghababyan K., Sultanov E., Tohidifare M., Mnatsekanov, R.
& Isfendiyaroğlu, S. (2020). Status of birds in the Caucasus. Pp. 72 - 82 in Zazanashvili, N., Garforth, M.
and Bitsadze, M., eds. Ecoregional Conservation Plan for the Caucasus, 2020 Edition: Supplementary
Reports. WWF, KfW, Tbilisi.
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AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF THE CAUCASUS
Com piled by
B.S. Tuniyev , D. Tarkhnishvili , A.L. Aghasyan c, S.N. Bunyatova d , K. Kam alie,
S.M. Mirghazanfarif, C.V. Tok g and K. Çiçek h
a
b
Federal State Institution Sochi National Park, Sochi, Russian Federation; b Ilia State University,
Institute of Ecology, Tbilisi, Georgia; cScientific Centre for Zoology and Hydro-ecology, Yerevan, Armenia;
d
Institute of Zoology of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, Azerbaijan; eUniversity of Tehran,
College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Faculty of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental
Sciences, Islamic Republic of Iran; f Iranian Herpetological Studies Institute (IHSI), Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran; g Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences,
Department of Biology, Çanakkale, Turkey; h Ege University, Faculty of Science,
Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Izmir, Turkey
a
Co n t e n t s : Introduction; The Number of amphibian and reptile species in the Caucasus; Globally and
regionally threatened species in the Caucasus; Main threats and possible conservation actions; Conclusions;
References; Suggested citation.
In tro d u ctio n
In the first edition of the Ecoregion Conservation Plan for the Caucasus – ECP (Williams et al., 2006) – there
were listed 77 species of reptiles for the Caucasus, from which 28 are endemics to the region. The most
interesting reptiles are endem ic Caucasian vipers (Pelias spp.) and rock lizards (Darevskia spp.). Many of
these species occupy geographical ranges of only a few thousand square kilometres. The genus Darevskia
from the Family of true lizards are particularly diverse. Out of the 35 known species in the world, 25 occur in
the Caucasus and 23 are regional endemics.
Fourteen am phibian species were known in the Caucasus; four of them endem ic to the Region.
The Caucasian Salam ander (Mertensiella caucasica), one of the oldest relicts of the Caucasus, is found only
in the western part of Lesser Caucasus in Georgia and Turkey; this form al species is com prised of two deeply
divergent lineages, de facto undescribed species, one of which occurs only in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park in
Georgia (Tarkhnishvili et al., 2000; Tarkhnishvili & Kaya, 2009). Caucasian Parsley Frog (Pelodytes caucasicus)
and Colchic Toad (Bufo verrucosissimus) live in m ountain forests of the Western Caucasus and separately on
the upperm ost part of Stavropol Upland in the Northern Caucasus. All three species, as well as endem ic
Caucasian m ountain vipers, are included in the IUCN Red List as globally threatened.45
Since 2001-2005, there have been a number of changes in taxonomic nomenclature in the Ecoregion due to new
species’ and subspecies’ descriptions, re-naming, findings of species not previously known for the region (such as
the introduced Phoenicolacerta laevis), new molecular-genetic studies, surveys in poorly known areas (mainly
in high mountains), and inclusion of earlier forgotten forms of amphibians and reptiles into the species list.
The list of amphibians and reptiles was not updated during the ECP’s first revision and updating in 2012 and
it could be useful to do it now: e.g. a description of the high level of diversity of shield-headed vipers (Pelias)
in the Caucasus Ecoregion is essential to establish the conservation status of rare narrow-ranged species,
part of which are included in the IUCN Red list as globally threatened and used to identify Key Biodiversity
Areas of the Caucasus. While it is im portant to preserve the biodiversity of all the snakes of the Caucasus
Ecoregion, from a global prespective the m ain task and responsibility is to conserve the taxa endem ic
45
Later, Pelodytes caucasicus and Bufo verrucosissimus have been downlisted to NT – Near Threatened.
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
to the Caucasus, which, with the exception of Pelias renardi, include all other shield-headed vipers that occur
in the region. In other words, the Caucasus plays a key role in the conservation of the vast number of species of
shield-headed vipers (Tuniyev, 2016).
Substantial progress has been m ade in the research of rock lizards (Darevskia). This group probably has
the highest level of speciation (related to the overall occupied area) am ong lizards in the tem perate clim ate
zone. These lizards are particularly diverse and have a high level of local endem ism ; they include seven
parthenogenetic taxa and are a perfect group for studying the process of speciation in m ountain habitats.
Two relict am phibians, Caucasian Salam ander and Caucasian Parsley Frog, are thought to have been isolated
in the west of the Caucasus ecoregion since the Miocene or even earlier and are therefore living fossils
deserving special attention by evolutionary biologists. Sim ilarly, two species of relict salam anders of the genus
Paradactylodon are found in the north of Iran.
The Number of amphibian and reptile species in the Caucasus
In recent decades, m ultiple changes have been m ade to nam es of genera and species of am phibians and
reptiles, and new taxa have been described. At the present time, there are 102 formally described species of
reptile including 33 endemic species and 75 subspecies, and 16 species of amphibian with 6 endemic species
and 12 subspecies. There are no endemic species of turtle or tortoise, but there are 7 endemic subspecies which
occur only in the Caucasus Ecoregion.
As mentioned above, in ECP 2006, from the 35 known species of the genus Darevskia worldwide, 26 species
occur in the Caucasus and 18 of them are endemic to the Ecoregion. The Caucasus Ecoregion is the main centre
of taxonomical diversity of rock lizards of the genus Darevskia Arribas, 1997. Currently scientists recognise
21 bisexual species (36 subspecies) and four parthenogenetic species within the Caucasus Ecoregion.46
In addition, one endemic species and one endemic subspecies of toad-headed agamas (Phrynocephalus);
1 endemic species and 1 endemic subspecies of runners (Eremias), and 5 endemic subspecies of green lizards
(Lacerta) occur in the Caucasus.
Caucasian Toad
© B. Tuniyev, Sochi National Park, Russia
D. defilippi, which was previously considered to be a subspecies of D. raddei, is now regarded as one of a group of four cryptic species, which also includes
D. chlorogaster (Ahmadzadeh et al., 2013).
46
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The known Caucasian ophidiofauna belongs to 4 families, 19 genera and 46 species (52 subspecies). Colubrid
fauna consists of 3 subfamilies: Natricinae with 1 genus (Natrix) and 3 species and Сolubrinae with 11 genera
and 23 species and Psammophiinae.47 There are 5 genera of the family Viperidae in the fauna of the Caucasus
belonging to two subfam ilies: Crotalinae (containing the genus Gloydius) and Viperidae (containing the genera
Macrovipera, Pelias, Montivipera and Vipera sensu stricto). Nowadays, there are estimated to be 12 endemic
species (15 subspecies) of snakes.
From the 18 known shield-headed vipers in the world, 13 species are found in the Caucasus Ecoregion,
9 of which occur only in the Caucasus. Endemic species richness is particularly high in the western Lesser
Caucasus in Georgia and Turkey, in the western Greater Caucasus in Georgia and Russia, and in the southwestern Caspian area in Iran and Azerbaijan. A xeric refugium occurs in the valley of the Ara(k)s river
in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran.
The endemic amphibian and reptile species of the Caucasus region are listed in Table 1.
Table 1. List of amphibian and reptile species endemic to the Caucasus
#
Common name
Latin name
Distribution
AMPH IBIAN S
1
Persian Salam ander
Paradactylodon persicus
Southern Caspian area, Iran
2
Caucasian Salam ander
Mertensiella caucasica
W Lesser Caucasus (Georgia, Turkey)
3
Lantz’s Sm ooth Newt
Lissotriton lantzi
Russia, Georgia, probably extinct in
Azerbaijan and no new conformation for N
Armenia and Turkey*
4
Hyrcanian Toad
Bufo eichwaldi
SE Azerbaijan, Caspian Iran
5
Colchic Toad
Bufo verrucosissimus
Mostly W. Caucasus (Georgia, Turkey,
Russia), Azerbaijan, Armenia (uncertain)
6
Caucasian Parsley Frog
Pelodytes caucasicus
Russia, Georgia, Turkey, and NE
Azerbaijan**
REPTILES
Ag a m a s
7
Transcaucasian Toad Agam a
Phrynocephalus horvathi
Armenia, Azerbaijan (Nakhchivan), Turkey
Liz a r d s
47
8
Aghasyan’s Rock Lizard
Darevskia aghasyani
Arm enia
9
Alpine Rock Lizard
Darevskia alpina
W Caucasus (Russia, Georgia)
10
Brauner’s Rock Lizard
Darevskia brauneri
Russia, Georgia
11
Caucasian Rock Lizard
Darevskia caucasica
Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan
12
Clark’s Rock Lizard
Darevskia clarkorum
Turkey
13
Dagestan Rock Lizard
Darevskia daghestanica
Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan
14
Artwin, or Derjugin’s Lizard
Darevskia derjugini
Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey
15
Charnali Rock Lizard
Darevskia dryada
SW Georgia
16
Hybrid, or Confuse Rock Lizard
Darevskia mixta
Georgia
Characteristics of these genera and their species are provided in Böhme 1993, 1999.
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#
Common name
Latin name
Distribution
Liz a r d s
17
Red-bellied Rock Lizard
Darevskia parvula
Georgia, Turkey
18
Kura River Rock Lizard
Darevskia portschinskii
Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan
19
True Rock Lizard
Darevskia saxicola
Russia
20
Szczerbak’s Rock Lizard
Darevskia szczerbaki
Russia
21
Arm enian Rock Lizard
Darevskia armeniaca
Arm enia, Georgia, Turkey
22
Dahl’s Rock Lizard
Darevskia dahli
Arm enia, Georgia
23
Rostom bekov’s Rock Lizard
Darevskia rostombekovi
Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan
24
White-bellied Rock Lizard
Darevskia unisexualis
Arm enia, Turkey
25
Uzzell’s Rock Lizard
Darevskia uzzelli
Turkey
26
Transcaucasian Racerunner
Eremias pleskei
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran
Sn a k e s
27
Large-headed or Colchic Water
Snake
Natrix megalocephala***
Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey
28
Persian Ratsnake
Zamenis persicus
Azerbaijan, Iran
29
Satunin’s Black-headed Dwart
Snake
Rhynchocalamus satunini
Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan
(Nakhichevan), Iran
30
Darevsky’s Viper
Pelias darevskii
Arm enia, Georgia, Turkey
31
Dinnik's Viper
Pelias dinniki
Russia, Georgia
32
Kaznakov’s or Caucasian Viper
Pelias kaznakovi
Russia, Georgia, Turkey
33
Lotiev's Viper
Pelias lotievi
Russia, NE Azerbaijan
34
Magnificent, or Relic Viper
Pelias magnifica
Russia
35
Olgun’s Viper
Pelias olguni
Turkey, Georgia (Mt. Gum bati)
36
Orlov’s Viper
Pelias orlovi
Russia
37
Black Sea Viper
Pelias pontica
Turkey and probably Georgia
38
Shem akha Steppe Viper
Pelias shemakhensis
NW Azerbaijan, E Georgia
39
Caucasian Pit Viper
Gloydius caucasicus
NW Iran, SE Azerbaijan
No t e s : *for Turkey see Wielstra, Bozkurt, Olgun, 2015; **see Ganiev, Gasimova, 2012; Gasimova, 2013; ***controversial species
according to Venchi and Sindaco, 2006; Kindler et al., 2013 and some others that conducted revision of Natrix based on the
molecular genetic studies: Natrix megalocephala is with the synonym of Natrix natrixscutata.
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Globally and regionally threatened species in the Caucasus
Of the 117 species of amphibians and reptiles (16 extant species of amphibians and 101 species of reptiles)
that occur in the Caucasus, 108 have been assessed for extinction risk and included in the IUCN Red List
of Threatened Species. Twenty-three species (24 subspecies, 21.3%) were assessed as globally threatened
(Vulnerable, Endangered and Critically Endangered). One species is categorized as Data Deficient (DD)
and 13 as Near Threatened (NT) (Table 2). Seventy-one species (65.7%) belong to the category Least
Concern (LC). Nine species (7.7%) are still not assessed because they have been described only recently.
In addition, assessm ents do not exist for alm ost all subspecies, with the exception of Testudo graeca nikolskii
(European Reptile & Amphibian Specialist Group 1996). Most species show a declining population trend.
Darevsky’s Viper, Mount Sevsar, Armenia
© B. Tuniyev, Sochi National Park, Russia
In the Caucasus Ecoregion, as in m any other regions worldwide, conservation of am phibians and reptiles is
reasonably effective in Nature Reserves and National Parks but is perfunctory in lower-level protected areas and
unprotected natural landscapes. Many landscapes and habitats that are critically im portant for herpetofauna
are underrepresented in the Ecoregion’s protected areas’ system s. In the North Caucasus, for exam ple,
underrepresented habitats include Black Sea coastal habitats, remnant pristine steppe and meadow-steppe in
the western and central parts, unique dry steppe and sandy habitats in the eastern part, sub-montane landscapes
in the J urassic depression between the Rocky and Side ranges of the Greater Caucasus 48, and sub-montane
and m aritim e habitats in Dagestan. Generally, protected areas with stricter protection are lacking in nearly
the whole North Caucasus at lower elevations (up to 1.200 m a.s.l.) (Krokhmal, Tuniyev, 2003; Tuniyev, 2008).
The geomorphological structure of the Greater Caucasus is quite complicated. It consists of three parallel ranges (Main, Side and Rocky) and many
perpendicular branches. The Main or Watershed Range of the Greater Caucasus is the Range that forms the watershed between the north-flowing and
south-flowing waters belonging to the Black Sea’s (in the western part) and the Caspian Sea’s (in the eastern part) catchment basins. The Side Range is
located to the north of and close to the Main Range; the highest points of the Greater Caucasus – Mount Elbrus (5,642 m), Kazbegi peak and some others –
are situated on the Side Range. The Rocky Range is the final Range to the north and the lowest of the three.
48
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Table 2. The IUCN globally threatened and near threatened amphibian and reptile species in the Caucasus (2019)
#
Common name
Latin name
CR
EN
VU
NT
Ref.
DD
AMPH IBIAN S
1
Persian Mountain
Salam ander
Paradactylodon persicus
2
Caucasian Salam ander
Mertensiella caucasica
3
Banded Newt
Ommatotriton ophryticus
4
Hyrcanian Toad
Bufo eichwaldi
5
Colchis Toad
Bufo verrucosissimus
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009a
6
Caucasian Parsley Frog
Pelodytes caucasicus
+
Kaya et al., 2009b
+
Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle
Specialist Group 1996
+
Papenfuss et al., 2009
+
Kaya et al., 2009a
+
Olgun et al., 2009
IUCN SSC Amphibian
Specialist Group 2012
+
REPTILES
7
European Pond or
Swam p Turtle
Emys orbicularis
8
Mediterranean
Spur-thighed Tortoise
Testudo graeca
9
Transcaucasian Toad
Agam a
Phrynocephalus horvathi
10
Persian Toad Agam a
Phrynocephalus persicus
+
Anderson et al., 2009
11
Alpine Rock Lizard
Darevskia alpina
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009b
12
Clark’s Rock Lizard
Darevskia clarkorum
13
Artwin, or Derjugin’s
Rock Lizard
Darevskia derjugini
14
Charnali Rock Lizard
Darevskia dryada
15
Hybrid, or Confuse
Rock Lizard
Darevskia mixta
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009f
16
Dahl’s Rock Lizard
Darevskia dahli
+
Agasyan & Ananjeva, 2009a
17
Rostom bekow’s Rock
Lizard
Darevskia rostombekovi
18
White-bellied Rock
Lizard
Darevskia unisexualis
19
Uzzell’s Rock Lizard
Darevskia uzzelli
20
Brandt’s Persian Lizard
Iranolacerta brandti
21
Transcaucasian
Racerunner
Eremias pleskei
22
Large-headed or
Colchic Water Snake
Natrix megalocephala
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009i
23
White-horned
Mountain Viper
Montivipera albicornuta
+
Nilson, 2009
24
Arm enian or Radde's
Viper
Montivipera raddei
25
Wagner's Viper
Montivipera wagneri
88
+
Dijk et al., 2004
+
Ananjeva & Agasyan, 2009
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009c
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009d
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009e
+
Agasyan & Ananjeva, 2009b
+
Agasyan & Ananjeva, 2009c
+
Akarsu et al., 2009
+
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009h
+
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009g
Nilson et al., 2009a
Kaska et al., 2009
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26
Turkish Viper
Pelias barani
+
27
Darevsky’s Viper
Pelias darevskii
28
Dinnik's Viper
Pelias dinniki
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009k
29
Iranian Mountainsteppe Viper
Pelias ebneri
+
Nilson&Sharifi, 2009
30
Arm enian Steppe Viper
Pelias*eriwanensis
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009l
31
Kaznakov’s or
Caucasian Viper
Pelias kaznakovi
32
Lotiev's Viper
Pelias lotievi
33
Magnificent (or Relic)
Viper
Pelias magnifica
34
Orlov’s Viper
Pelias orlovi
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009p
35
Black Sea Viper
Pelias pontica
+
Nilson et al., 2009b
36
Eastern Steppe Viper
Pelias renardi
37
Transcaucasian Longnosed Viper
Vipera transcaucasiana
+
Tok et al., 2009
Tuniyev et al., 2009j
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009m
+
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009n
Tuniyev et al., 2009o
+
Nilson et al., 2009c
+
Tuniyev et al., 2009q
No t e : All species of genus Pelias listed above are still indicated in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as species of genus Vipera.
The narrow-ranged species of rock lizards (Darevskia) and som e vipers (Pelias) strongly depend on
limited areas in the Greater and the Lesser Caucasus, some of which are not protected or are insufficiently
protected. Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park in Georgia hosts at least five species of rock lizard and one
species of endem ic Pelias; this is a single area where the eastern species of Mertensiella caucasica group
(M. sp.1 in the sense of Tarkhnishvili et al., 2000) is found. The system of protected areas of south Colchis
(Machakhela, Mtirala, Kintrishi) hosts to 4 species of endemic Darevskia and one protected Pelias, as well as
Caucasian Salam ander and Caucasian Parsley Frog.
The status of endem ic species such as Zamenis persicus, Pelias dinniki, P. lotievi and Montivipera raddei is
quite safe because substantial parts of their ranges are covered by protected areas. In contrast, several other
species are barely represented in protected areas (Pelias kaznakovi, P. magnifica, P. eriwanensis, P. ebneri)
or not at all (Pelias orlovi, P. pontica, Eryx miliaris nogajorum).
The regionally threatened non-endemic species with a broad distribution include the snakes Pelias renardi (VU),
Elaphe sauromates (LC) and Hierophis caspius (LC). The KBAs identified for current edition of the ECP
consider alm ost all globally threatened species, including reptiles and am phibians; however, those three
species call for special conservation attention in the Caucasus.
Particular attention needs to be paid to the hotspots of snake species diversity in the Caucasus. Here, such
areas containing at least 7 snake species are the Black Sea coast (excluding the Rioni Lowland), lower Çoruh
(Chorokhi) basin, semi-arid depressions in the eastern North Caucasus, maritime Dagestan, Kura-Ara(k)s Lowland
(aside from its deserts), Ara(k)s riverside in Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the Talysh-Alborz mountains.
Transboundary protected areas could strengthen preservation of amphibian and reptile fauna, e.g. in
the Eastern Greater Caucasus between the neighbouring Tliarata (Russia), Lagodekhi (Georgia) and
Zagatala (Azerbaijan) protected areas, as well as in other relevant parts of the Caucasus. Much more effort
should be put into establishing such transboundary protected areas.
The regionally/nationally threatened snake species that occur in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Russia
Federation are listed in Table 3.
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Table 3. List of snake species included in the National Red Data Books/Lists of Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Russia
Species
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Eryx jaculus
Ge o rgia
Russia
+
+
Eryx miliaris
+
+
Coronella austriaca
Dolichophis caspius
Eirenis persicus
Globally
Threatened
+*
+
+
E. collaris
Elaphe sauromates
+
+
E. urartica***
+
+
+
Malpolon insignitus
Natrix megalocephala
+
Platyceps najadum
+*
Rhynchocalamus satunini
+
Telescopus fallax
+
Zamenis hohenackeri
+
+
+
+
+
Z. longissimus
+
Z. persicus
+
Psammophis lineolatus
+
Gloydius caucasicus
+
Macrovipera lebetina
Montivipera albicornuta
M. raddei
+
Pelias darevskii
+
+
+
P. dinniki
P. eriwanensis
+
+
+
+
+
+
P. kaznakovi
+
+
P. magnifica
+
+
P. orlovi
+
+
+**
+
P. shemakhensis
P. renardi
+
+
No t e s : * - populations of the Black Sea coast of Caucasus; ** - populations of Crimea and North Caucasus (Pre-Caucasia);
*** - in volume of E. sauromares.
The list is compiled according to: Red Book Armenia 2010; Red Book Azerbaijan 2013; Decree 2014; Red Book Russia 2001.
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Main threats and possible conservation actions
The m ain threats to reptiles of Europe and Central Asia countries (ECA), according to the IUCN Red List, are
agriculture, residential/ com m ercial developm ent, and biological resource use. These threats prim arily cause
habitat fragmentation and loss (Visconti et al., 2018).
Habitat loss threatens, in particular, relict forest species and species of steppe and semi-desert ecosystems,
which are often not able to persist on agricultural and other transform ed lands. Eremias pleskei (Arm enia,
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran) is listed as Critically Endangered, based on a population decline of more than
80% over ten years; its natural sandy habitat has virtually disappeared due to human disturbance. For habitat
“specialists” such as Phrynocephalus horvathi (Critically Endangered), which is prim arily lim ited to patches
of saltwort and wormwood semi-desert and highly specific soils, habitat conversion can have a major impact.
The disappearance of steppe vipers of the “ursinii-renardi” com plex from m ost of the habitats which it previously
occupied in the ECA is associated with ploughing of steppes for agriculture (Tuniyev, 2016); overgrazing is also
a major problem, particularly in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Significant threats include the illegal capture of commercially valuable species for the pet trade
(all representatives of vipers and turtles, and some species of lizards). Snake species sffer from indiscrimate
killing, which is associated with insufficient environmental awareness (Visconti et al., 2018).
Invasive and other predatory species of mammals and birds are a significant threat for endemic and relict
species; for example, raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a serious threat to amphibians in the Western Caucasus and
Lenkoran-Talysh region.
Climate change will likely play a major role in the region in the future. In the Western Caucasus, higher
sum m er tem peratures and longer dry periods will reduce the habitable range of m esic Colchis reptile species
(Darevskia derjugini) and lead to an increase in the num ber of Eastern Mediterranean species of snakes
(Dolycophis caspius, Platicepsna jadum) on the Black Sea Coast (Tuniyev, 2012). However, so far there is
no evidence of a decline in the ranges of m esic am phibians and reptiles. Tree encroachm ent and upward
movements of tree lines are other impacts of climate change that could affect alpine species.
To respond to these threats we have developed brief conservation concepts for different species of threatened
vipers (Pelias darevskii, P. dinniki, P. eriwanensis, P. kaznakovi, P. lotievi, P. magnifica, P. orlovi, P. renardi,
P. shemakhensis), as well as for Aghasyan’s Lizard (Darevskia aghasyani), the Caucasian Salam ander
(Tarkhnishvili& Kaya, 2009), rock lizards of genus Darevskia, and som e other species. Conservation actions
proposed in the concepts include: expansion of existing protected areas; establishing new protected areas,
including transboundary protected areas; revising the internal functional zoning of certain National Parks;
revising som e developm ent plans taking into consideration nature conservation needs; adding certain species
to National Red Lists/ Red Data Books; im plem enting sustainable range m anagem ent approaches; perfecting
legislation against illegal trapping and trade of am phibians and reptiles and enhancing law enforcem ent;
regular m onitoring of habitats for the absence/ presence of a species.
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Caucasian Viper
© B. Tuniyev, Sochi National Park, Russia
Conclusions
More regional and national attention and efforts are needed if we are to achieve adequate protection of rare
and threatened species of amphibians and reptiles and ensure their long-term conservation in the Caucasus.
While some species are quite well protected, for example the endemics Pelias darevskii, P. dinniki, P. lotievi
(a significant part of the habitats of these vipers is covered by Nature reserves and National Parks), the ranges
of Pelias orlovi and P. shemakhensis are not protected at all. Furtherm ore, Pelias kaznakovi, P. magnifisa,
P. ebneri and P. eriwanensis are poorly represented within protected areas.
The refugial areas in the south-western part of the Caucasus Region, including Western Lesser Caucasus and
Black Sea m ountains in Georgia and Turkey, host a high num ber of endem ic am phibians and reptiles which
require special attention. They include: the relict Caucasian Salamander, with its two de facto evolutionary
species, one completely limited to Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park; three other endemic amphibians;
at least two endem ic vipers, Pelias kaznakovi and P. barani; seven species of endem ic rock lizards.
Other im portant areas are the Western Greater Caucasus with its diversity of m ountain viper species, the valley
of the Ara(k)s river with its variety of species of runners, toad lizard and sm all runner (Rhynchocalamus),
and arid shrublands in the valleys of the Lori and Kura rivers where is an especially high variety of snakes and
lizards adapted to a semi-arid environment.
In som e areas, conservation targets cannot be achieved by national actions alone: transboundary actions
through international cooperation are essential. Such areas include KBAs within the Eastern Greater Caucasus
Conservation Landscape (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia), Western Lesser Caucasus Conservation Landscape
(Turkey-Georgia), and South Caucasus Uplands Conservation Landscape (Armenia-Georgia, Georgia-Turkey),
and are partly addressed by actions listed in the first part of ECP 2020.
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FRESHWATER FISH AND LAMPREYS OF THE CAUCASUS
Com piled by
J . Freyhof , S. Pipoyan , N. Mustafayevc, S. Ibrahim ovc, B. J aposhvilid ,
O. Sedighie, B. Levin f, A. Pashkovg and D. Turan h
a
a
b
Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany;
b
Pedagogical State University after Kh. Abovyan, Yerevan, Armenia; cInstitute of Zoology, National
Academy of Sciences, Baku, Azerbaijan; d Ilia State University, Institute of Zoology, Tbilisi, Georgia;
e
Department of Environment, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran; f Papanin Institute for Biology of
Inland Waters of Russian Academy of Sciences, Borok, Russia; g Azov-Black Sea Branch of Russian Federal
Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography, Rostov-na-donu, Russia; h Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
University, Rize, Turkey
Co n t e n t s : Introduction; Number of freshwater fish and lamprey species in the Caucasus; Endemic
freshwater fish and lamprey species of the Caucasus; Number of species recorded in the countries;
Globally threatened species of freshwater fish and lampreys in the Caucasus; Important places for
the conservation of freshwater fish in the Caucasus Ecoregion; Main threats and possible conservation
actions; List of the publications used for preparation of the review; Suggested citation.
In tro d u ctio n
All together 162 species of freshwater fish and four species of lampreys are known from the Caucasus Ecoregion,
of which 51 are endemic and 11 alien to the region. The fauna is biogeographically close to the adjacent
faunas of the Caspian and Black Seas and m any species occur beyond the Caucasus or are closely related to
species outside of the Caucasus. The Caucasus represents a regional centre of endemism for freshwater fish.
Remarkably diverse are the fishes of the Kura and Ara(k)s rivers with 16 endemic species and the Kuban,
with eight endem ic species. An im portant single hotspot is the upper Kura in the area of Ardahan (Turkey)
where a very locally endem ic loach (Oxynoemacheilus cyri) co-occurs with an endemic genus and species of
freshwater fish (Leucalburnus satunini).
Since 2000 the fish fauna of the Ecoregion is much better understood due to a revolution in molecular methods
of identification and a strongly increased engagement in the exploration of fish diversity in the Caucasus and in
adjacent Europe, Iran and Turkey. However, not all taxonomic challenges have been resolved; new species will
be recorded in the future and others m ight be excluded from the list due to taxonom ic changes.
The conservation status of Caucasian freshwater fish and lampreys has been only incompletely assessed
but the region holds major conservation responsibilities. On the forefront of fish conservation have always
been sturgeons which spawn in rivers flowing to the Black and Caspian Seas. Sturgeons are still poached
and sold in the Caucasus. Although all sturgeons are protected by national legislation, there is a problem of
law enforcem ent. The actual situation of sturgeons in the Caucasus rem ains unclear as inform ation about
their status is contradictory. Sturgeons still spawn in the Rioni river in Georgia and are believed to spawn in
the Kura river in Azerbaijan and in the Sefid river in Iran. Other threatened or endemic species in the region
are generally ignored when it comes to the construction of hydropower plants or other modifications of rivers.
The exploitation of rivers for hydropower is now a m assive threat even for protected areas and it harm s
the region’s biodiversity resources considerably.
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Freshwater fish and lamprey species in the Caucasus
There are four species of lam prey in the Caucasus, one of them (Lampetra ninae) endem ic to the regions of
the Black Sea coastal stream s. The Caspian lam prey (Caspiomyzon wagneri) is widespread in the Caspian Sea
basin, and the Turkish brook lam prey (L. lanceolate) is found at a few sites in northern Anatolia. There is also
a lamprey in the Kuban river, which is usually identified as Eudontomyzon mariae. This species is in a need
of taxonomic re-assessment and might also represent an endemic species. Most recognised from the overall
162 species of freshwater fish and four species of lampreys in the Caucasus are sturgeons (Acipenseridae).
Once, seven out of nine European sturgeons species spawned in the Caucasus region, while only one of them
had its global stronghold in the region (Acipenser persicus), others preferring larger rivers in the northern
Black and Caspian Sea basins for reproduction.
Other groups of anadromous fish species are represented by shads (Clupeidae) and trouts (Salmonidae);
they receive much attention due to the interests in commercial (shads) and recreational fisheries (trouts).
Indeed, the diversity of shads and trouts in the Caucasus and all over the Black and Caspian Sea basins is very
poorly understood. Previous morphology-based hypotheses on shad and trout diversity are strongly challenged
by m olecular studies. Speciation events had been suggested to be very recent for trouts in the region. Shads
might represent a species flock of very recent origin and future studies are urgently needed to understand
the species and evolutionary processes within these groups.
The largest species diversity in freshwater fish in the Caucasus is within the order Cypriniformes, where
eight families hold most of the Caucasus freshwater fish biodiversity: Acheilognathidae (2 species), Cobitidae
(10 species), Cyprinidae (16 species), Gobionidae (11 species), Leuciscidae (38 species), Nemacheilidae
(9 species), Tincidae (1 species) and Xenocyprididae (1 species); these families are the most important building
blocks of Caucasus freshwater fish diversity in terms of their contribution to fish biomass and functional role in
river ecosystems. Still there are some taxonomic issues to be clarified, especially in the family Nemacheilidae
and Leuciscidae, but generally the fauna is well understood and most species of freshwater fish are known
and recognised. Minor fish families represented in the Caucasus are Anguillidae (1 species), Atherinidae
(1 species), Esocidae (1 species), Gasterosteidae (2 species), Lotidae (1 species), Moronidae (1 species),
Mugilidae (6 species), Percidae (6 species), Siluridae (1 species) and Syngnathidae (2 species); none of these
families include regionally endemic species. In the Caucasus, five fish families are composed of only alien
species: Adrianichthyidae (1 species), Coregonidae (2 species), Ictaluridae (1 species), Poeciliidae (1 species)
and Xenocyprididae (1 species).
Two other fish families should be mentioned. These are gobies Gobiidae and Gobionellidae, which are
an important component of most freshwater and coastal fish communities in the Caucasus. One alien and
25 native species of gobies are known, five of them endemic to the region.
Endemic freshwater fish and lamprey species of the Caucasus
There are all together 51 species of freshwater fish and one species of lampreys (Lampetra ninae) endem ic to
the Caucasus (Table 1). The validity of Oxynoemacheilus lenkoranensis is doubtful. Besides, the generic
position of two species - Pseudophoxinus atropatenus and P. sojuchbulagi - has been recently changed
back to Rutilus and they will be referred to in future as Rutilus atropatenus and R. sojuchbulagi. The given
report considers these species as they are currently referred to in the IUCN Red List - Pseudophoxinus
atropatenus and P. sojuchbulagi.
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Table 1. List of Freshwater Fish and Lamprey Species Endemic to the Caucasus
Family
Species
Family
Species
Acheilognathidae
Rhodeus colchicus
Gobionidae
Romanogobio pentatrichus
Clupeidae
Clupeonella abrau
Gobionidae
Romanogobio parvus
Cobitidae
Cobitis derzhavini
Leuciscidae
Alburnoides eichwaldii
Cobitidae
Cobitis satunini
Leuciscidae
Alburnoides fasciatus
Cobitidae
Sabanejewia aurata
Leuciscidae
Alburnoides gmelini
Cobitidae
Sabanejewia caucasica
Leuciscidae
Alburnoides kubanicus
Cobitidae
Sabanejewia caspica
Leuciscidae
Chondrostoma colchicum
Cobitidae
Sabanejewia kubanica
Leuciscidae
Chondrostoma cyri
Cyprinidae
Barbus ciscaucasicus
Leuciscidae
Chondrostoma kubanicum
Cyprinidae
Barbus kubanicus
Leuciscidae
Chondrostoma oxyrhynchum
Cyprinidae
Barbus rionicus
Leuciscidae
Leucalburnus satunini
Cyprinidae
Capoeta banarescui
Leuciscidae
Petroleuciscus aphipsi
Cyprinidae
Capoeta capoeta
Leuciscidae
Phoxinus colchicus
Cyprinidae
Capoeta ekmekciae
Leuciscidae
Pseudophoxinus atropatenus
Cyprinidae
Capoeta kaput
Leuciscidae
Pseudophoxinus sojuchbulagi
Gobiidae
Ponticola constructor
Leuciscidae
Squalius agdamicus
Gobiidae
Ponticola cyrius
Leuciscidae
Squalius orientalis
Gobiidae
Ponticola iranicus
Leuciscidae
Squalius turcicus
Gobiidae
Ponticola rizensis
Nem acheilidae
Oxynoemacheilus brandtii
Gobiidae
Ponticola turani
Nem acheilidae
Oxynoemacheilus cyri
Gobionidae
Gobio artvinicus
Nem acheilidae
Oxynoemacheilus lenkoranensis
Gobionidae
Gobio caucasicus
Nem acheilidae
Oxynoemacheilus merga
Gobionidae
Gobio holurus
Nem acheilidae
Oxynoemacheilus veyseli
Gobionidae
Gobio kubanicus
Petrom yzontidae
Lampetra ninae
Gobionidae
Romanogobio ciscaucasicus
Salm onidae
Salmo ezenami
Gobionidae
Romanogobio macropterus
Salm onidae
Salmo ischchan
Number of species recorded in the countries
In the Armenian part of the Caucasus region, 41 species of freshwater fish and one species of lamprey are recorded;
one species (Salmo ischchan) is endemic to Armenia but has been introduced to Azerbaijan and Georgia and to
Central Asia. In Azerbaijan, 85 species (lampreys & fish) are found, four of them endemic to Azerbaijan (Cobitis
derzhavini, Oxynoemacheilus lenkoranensis, Pseudophoxinus atropatenus, Pseudophoxinus sojuchbulagi).
One of these species - Oxynoemacheilus lenkoranensis - needs a critical taxonomic review and one endemic
species - Pseudophoxinus sojuchbulagi - seems to be extinct. In Georgia, 95 species are recorded, none of them
endemic to Georgia. In the Gilan region of Iran, 79 species are found, none of them endemic.
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In the Russian North Caucasus, 125 species occur and 14 of them are endemic to the Russian Caucasus
(Clupeonella abrau, Sabanejewia caucasica, Sabanejewia kubanica, Barbus kubanicus, Gobio holurus,
Gobio kubanicus, Romanogobio ciscaucasicus, Romanogobio parvus, Romanogobio pentatrichus,
Alburnoides kubanicus, Chondrostoma kubanicum, Chondrostoma oxyrhynchum, Petroleuciscus aphipsi,
Salmo ezenami). In the Turkish Caucasus, 86 species are recorded and four of them are endemic to the Turkish
Caucasus (Ponticola rizensis, Ponticola turani, Leucalburnus satunini, Oxynoemacheilus cyri).
Globally threatened species of freshwater fish and lampreys in the Caucasus
There are 19 species of freshwater fish, one species of lamprey and two species of marine fish listed as being
globally threatened – vulnerable (VU), endangered (EN) and critically endangered (CR) - in the Caucasus
Ecoregion (Table 2). Pseudophoxinus sojuchbulagi, which has not been seen for decades, is likely to be
extinct. Furtherm ore, Acipenser sturio as well as A. nudiventris seem s no longer to spawn in the Caucasus.
Most im portant from a global perspective are six threatened species that are endem ic to the Caucasus region
(Clupeonella abrau, Ponticola rizensis, P. turani, Pseudophoxinus atropatenus, Salmo ischchan, S. ezenami)
as well as the threatened sturgeons potentially still spawning in the area. Not all species have been reassessed
for their conservation status yet and several assessm ents are out of date and need to be renewed.
Table 2. The IUCN Globally Threatened Fish and Lamprey Species in the Caucasus (2019)
Distribution by Countries
VU
EN
CR
Azerbaijan
Ge o rgia
Iran
Russia
Tu rke y
Scientific Name
#
Armenia
IUCN Category
8
2
12
3
11
12
9
14
10
Common Name
22
Fish
1
Acipenser gueldenstaedtii
Russian Sturgeon
+
+
+
+
+
+
2
Acipenser nudiventris
Ship Sturgeon
+
+
+
+
+
+
3
Acipenser persicus
Persian Sturgeon
+
+
+
+
+
(+)
+
+
+
4
Acipenser ruthenus
Sterlet
5
Acipenser stellatus
Stellate Sturgeon
6
Acipenser sturio
European (Atlantic) Sturgeon
7
Alosa immaculata
Pontic shad
8
Anguilla anguilla
European Eel
9
Clupeonella abrau
Abrau tyulka
10
Cyprinus carpio
Wild Com m on Carp
11
Huso huso
Beluga
12
Lampetra lanceolata
Turkish Brook Lam prey
+
+
Aral Barbel
+
+
15
Pomatomus saltatrix
Bluefish
+
Iyidere Goby
Azerbaijani Spring Roach
Salmo ischchan
+
23
Vanellus gregarius
Sociable Lapwing
100
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
20
Kezenoi-am Trout
+
+
+
Spiny Dogfish
+
+
Pseudophoxinus atropatenus
Salmo ezenami
+
+
Pseudophoxinus sojuchbulagi Akstafa Spring Roach
Squalus acanthias
+
+
+
18
21
+
+
19
22
+
+
+
Sevan Trout
+
+
+
+
Bulatm ai Barbel
Aksu Goby
+
+
+
Luciobarbus brachycephalus
Ponticola rizensis
+
+
+
Luciobarbus capito
Ponticola turani
+
+
+
13
16
+
+
14
17
(+)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
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Important places for the conservation of freshwater fish in the Caucasus
Freyhof et al. (2015a) cover freshwater KBAs for Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and give some details on
the fish species in the region. In this report we highlight only a few sites; many other important sites require
protection.
Lake Sevan (Armenia)
Lake Sevan is the largest freshwater lake in the Caucasus. The site is com pletely covered by Lake Sevan National
Park, Ram sar Site and Lake Sevan IBA. It hosts the endem ic trout species Salmo ischchan which is close to
extinction in the wild; this taxon was once represented by four “forms” which most likely were different species.
Artificial drainage of the lake in the mid-1950s for irrigation and hydropower caused irreversible changes in
ecosystem functioning and biodiversity, destroying the lake’s globally unique diversity of trout. Currently, only
two “forms” of Sevan trout survive, largely by artificial breeding and subsequent release into the lake. Action
is being taken to restore the lake, the original diversity of trout cannot be restored because several “forms” are
extinct or have hybridised with each-other.
Springs in Lower Kura (Azerbaijan)
Springs in the Lower Kura drainage are inhabited by two very locally endem ic species of Leuciscid
(Pseudophoxinus atropatenus and P. sojuchbulagi) which seem to be very sensitive to habitat degradation
and alien species invasion. Pseudophoxinus sojuchbulagi m ay already be extinct, while P. atropatenus is still
found at few places as detailed by Artaev et al. (2018).
Kura and Ara(k)s Rivers and Mingechevir Reservoir (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran)
The Kura and Ara(k)s rivers and their tributaries host 13 endemic species of freshwater fish and are by this
hotspots of endemic fishes in the Caucasus. The distribution of endemic species (many not threatened and
still widespread) is poorly understood but several species are rheophilic inhabitants of fast flowing, natural
rivers, with gravel bottoms and not affected by dams. These wild river sections are vulnerable to many
threats and large sections should be protected. The lower Kura and Ara(k)s rivers are impacted by many threats
and their conservation status is poor. However, they still provide a migration route and spawning area for many
fish species coming from the Caspian Sea. Shads such as Alosa kessleri and others still migrate in the rivers and
spawn here. Sturgeons spawned in the area historically and a few individuals seem still to spawn in the rivers.
Other migratory fish species still have considerable populations, spawning in the Kura and Ara(k)s below dams.
Mingechevir reservoir on the lower Kura river inhibits the migration of fishes into the middle Kura.
At the same time it provides shelter from overfishing for one of the last populations of Luciobarbus
brachycephalus in the Caspian Sea basin. This m igratory species becam e landlocked due to the construction
of the dam and survived here while almost all stocks were the victim of massive over-exploitation elsewhere.
Rioni River (Georgia)
The Rioni river is critical for the only surviving population of Acipenser persicus49 in the Black Sea basin and for
the globally critically endangered Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii and Huso huso. This m akes
this river a global hotspot for the conservation of sturgeons. However, the conservation status of sturgeons
is poorly understood and intensive research is needed. Furtherm ore, there is a rem arkable population of
the m igratory shad Alosa immaculata which spawns in this river. Rem oval of the obsolescent hydropower
plants in the lower Rioni has been recommended to strengthen the sturgeon populations and conservation
actions have been discussed by Freyhof et al. (2015).
49
There are taxonom ic debates about the Black Sea population of Acipenser persicus: som etim es it is treated as a subspecies of A. persicus and referred
as A. persicus colchicus or treated as a separate species - Acipenser colchicus. However, the formal listing is still valid for Acipenser persicus.
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The River Rioni – the last spawning river for sturgeon in the eastern Black Sea
© A. Guchmanidze, NGO Flora and Fauna Association, Georgia
Anzali wetland (Iran)
Very few larger coastal wetlands are left in the area; the Anzali wetland, on the estuary of the Sefid river,
is one of the few that is still largely intact. The most common freshwater fish species of the southern Caspian
Sea basin use this wetland for spawning and it is of exceptional importance for regional fish reproduction.
It is also rem arkable for hosting a population of Sabanejewia caspia, a sm all loach found at no m ore than three
places worldwide (the other two are in Azerbaijan).
Middle Kuban River and its tributaries (Russia)
The Kuban River hosts eight endem ic species which inhabit sm all tributaries of the lower Kuban (Petroleuciscus
aphipsi) and the remaining large stretches of wild and free flowing rivers in the lower and middle section of
the Kuban catchm ent (Alburnoides kubanicus, Barbus kubanicus, Chondrostoma kubanica, Gobio kubanicus,
Romanogobio parvus, Romanogobio pentatrichus, Sabanejewia kubanica). These species are of exceptional
value for fish conservation. All except two are rheophilic inhabitants of fast flowing, natural rivers, with gravel
bottoms. Sadly, these important areas for fish conservation have been degraded by the construction of dams,
which inhibit the spawning migration of sturgeons and other migratory fishes, which were abundant in former
tim es. The few wild river sections that rem ain are vulnerable to m any threats and large sections should be
protected.
Middle Terek (Russia)
The sections of the rivers Terek, Sulak and some smaller adjacent rivers in the Russian Caucasus host eight
freshwater fish species endemic to the north-eastern Caucasus region (Romanogobio ciscaucasicus, Gobio
holurus, Sabanajewia caucasica, Chondrostoma oxyrhynchum, Barbus ciscaucasicus, Alburnoides gmelini,
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Oxynoemacheilus merga, Salmo ezenami (endemic to one lake)); this makes these rivers hotspots for fish
conservation. Some of these species also occur in northern Azerbaijan. All species, except one, are rheophilic
inhabitants of fast flowing, natural rivers, with gravel bottoms and that are not affected by dams. These wild
river sections are vulnerable to m any threats and large sections should be protected; however, they are poorly
studied and fieldwork is needed to better understand the distribution of the endemic species for the purpose
of designating protected areas.
Upper reaches of the Kura at Ardahan (Turkey)
The high altitude headwater stream s of the upper Kura at Ardahan (Turkey) are inhabited by the only
endemic fish genus of the Caucasus. This genus and species, Leucalburnus satunini, has only been found
in Turkey and is endemic to a small highland plateau. It is one of very few endemic freshwater fish genera
in Turkey. Interestingly, a second fish species, Oxynoemacheilus cyri, is endem ic to the region and both
are found together in the same streams. Because the area is relatively flat, no hydropower plants have been
build there and none are planned; the area is m ostly used by herders and threat levels seem to be low.
Nevertheless, the area should be protected because it hosts such unique biodiversity.
Main threats and possible conservation actions
In the Caucasus, as all over the West Palearctic, populations of large and long-distance migratory fish species
such as sturgeons have vanished or almost vanished due to dam construction and overfishing. Nevertheless,
the conservation status of most freshwater fish in the Caucasus is relatively good compared to other regions in
Europe and the Middle East. Sturgeons still spawn in the Caucasus and m any endem ic species are in a relatively
good conservation status: this is because few species are restricted to sm all ranges and only a sm all num ber are
restricted to areas with high water stress and semi-arid climate; furthermore, many “wild” rivers still exist in
the region, providing habitat for the group of rheophilic fishes to which most endemic species belong.
Hydropower development continues to be the greatest threat to fish and aquatic habitats in the region. Other
significant threats are overfishing, pollution (which regionally is a massive challenge), water abstraction
especially in the eastern Caucasus, and invasive alien species used in commercial and recreational fisheries.
The region’s fish biodiversity and aquatic habitats are poorly protected from these threats. In particular,
remaining long sections of free-flowing rivers are in urgent need of protection - they host most of the region’s
52 endemic fish species and thus are one of the region’s most important biodiversity values.
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FLORA AND VEGETATION OF THE CAUCASUS
Com piled by
K. Batsatsashvili , A. Nersesyan , N. Mehdiyeva c, R. Murtazalievd , Ö. Eminağaoğlue and K. Kavousif
a
b
Ilia State University, Institute of Ecology, Tbilisi, Georgia; b Institute of Botany after A. Takhtajyan,
National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia; cInstitute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences,
Baku, Azerbaijan; d Mountain Botanical Garden of Russian Academy of Sciences, Makhachkala,
Republic of Dagestan, Russia; eArtvin Coruh University, Artvin, Turkey;
f
Aban Pazhouh Consulting Engineering Office, Tehran, Iran
a
Co n t e n t s : Flora; Vegetation; Attachment A - Mountain zonation types of the Caucasus vegetation;
References; Suggested citation.
Flora
The diverse physical-geographic conditions in the Caucasus support a rich flora and a wide variety of vegetation
types. According to botanical literature, the number of vascular plant species in the Caucasus is about 6,500;
however, this num ber does not consider northeastern Turkey and northwestern Iran, which are parts of
the Caucasus Ecoregion; the number almost certainly exceeds 7,000.
When Site Outcomes were being developed for the CEPF Ecosystem Profile for the Caucasus Hotspot
(CEPF 2003), the IUCN Red List - the basis for Site Outcomes - contained only one globally threatened plant
species from the Caucasus – Tigran’s Elder (Sambucus tigranii).
The situation with plant red-listing in the Caucasus fundamentally changed during implementation of
the CEPF's Caucasus programme, particularly as a consequence of the CEPF-funded regional plant red-listing
project led by Missouri Botanical Garden, in which experts from all six countries of the Ecoregion participated.
The project identified 2,791 endemic species. The number of endemic genera is 21; most of the endemic genera
are monotypic and oligotypic (J. Solomon, Shulkina & G. Solomon, 2014). These are:
● Agasyllis, Arafoë, Chymsydia, Macrosciadium, Mandenovia, Symphyoloma of the fam ily Apiaceae;
● Alboviodoxa, Cladochaeta, Grossheimia, Kemulariella of the fam ily Asteraceae;
● Trigonocaryum of the fam ily Boraginaceae;
● Pseudovesicaria, Zuvanda of the fam ily Brassicaceae;
● Gadellia, Muehlbergella of the fam ily Campanulaceae;
● Charesia, Petrocoma of the fam ily Car yophyllaceae;
● Sredinskya of the fam ily Pr imulaceae;
● Woronowia of the fam ily Rosaceae;
● Paederotella of the fam ily Scrophular iaceae;
● Pseudobetckea of the fam ily Valer ianaceae.
Subsequently, 600 endemic species were submitted to the IUCN Red List authorities for consideration.
Today, 385 species are included in the IUCN Red List out of which 276 species are considered as globally
threatened: 98 Critically Endangered (CR), 100 Endangered (EN) and 78 Vulnerable (VU). More than 200
plant species are still under assessm ent by the IUCN Red List authorities.
The species included in the IUCN Red List as globally threated (together with relevant anim al species) were
applied to the identification of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) of ECP 2020 (see chapter on KBAs).
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Southern Colchic relict and endemic Rhododendron ungernii, Mtirala National Park, Georgia
© Z. Manvelidze, Batumi Botanical Garden, Georgia
Ve ge tatio n
The vegetation of the Caucasus is present in patterns formed under the influence of abiotic drivers and biotic
interactions during the history of ecosystem development and these patterns reflect major climatic differences
between larger parts of the Caucasus featuring vegetation vertical zonation types along elevation gradients.
The French botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort visited Armenia and Georgia during his travels of 17001702 and for the first time observed vertical zonation patterns on Mt. Ararat (Tournefort, 1717). The first
scheme of mountain zonation for the southwestern Caucasus was developed by Wagner (1848) and the first
vegetation map of the Caucasus was created by German botanist Karl Koch (1850). Later a number of other
researchers addressed the question of the Caucasus vegetation classification and zonation in their publications
(Kuznetsov, 1890; Alboff 1896; Radde, 1899; Sosnovsky, 1915; Busch 1935; Maghakyan 1941; Takhtajan
1938, 1941, 1946; Fedorov 1942; Shiffers, 1953; Stanukovich, 1955, 1973; Gagnidze, 1970; Gadjiyev, 1970;
Grebenschikov & Zimina, 1974; Golubev et al., 1974; Kolakovsky et al., 1974; Gadjiyev, 1990; Nakhutsrishvili,
1999, 2013; Zazanashvili, Gagnidze & Nakhutsrishvili, 2000; Asatryan, Fayvush, 2013; Fayvush, Alexanyan, 2016).
The description of the Caucasus’ vegetation cover by A. Grossheim (1948) is a landmark in the history of
regional vegetation studies. Another more recent landmark with respect to vegetation classifications for
the whole region is The Map of the Natural Vegetation of Europe (Bohn et al., 2000/2003; Bohn et al., 2004),
fundam ental units of which are based on a dom inant plant com m unity and/ or com m unity m osaic linked into
a hierarchical scheme (Bohn, Zazanashvili, Nakhutsrishvili, 2007). The paper by Zazanashvili et al. (2000)
considers vegetation zonation of the entire Caucasus, identifies four distinct vertical vegetation zonation types,
enlists vegetation types for each zone and, wherever relevant, belts constituting the zones. Below we attem pt
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to describe the vegetation of the Caucasus and the distinctive floristic and ecological attributes of its units
through a synthesis of the Caucasian vegetation schem e adopted in The Map of the Natural Vegetation of
Europe (Bohn et al., 2000/2003; Bohn et al., 2004) and the detailed scheme of vegetation zonation suggested
by Zazanashvili et al. (2000).
Plant nomenclature mostly follows the major source papers used for the present characterisation of
the Caucasus’ flora and vegetation (i.e. Bohn et al., 2000/2003; Bohn et al., 2004; Zazanashvili, Gagnidze &
Nakhutsrishvili, 2000).
The scheme adopted for the Natural map of vegetation of Europe (Bohn et al., 2000/2003; Bohn et al., 2004)
starts from polar deserts and subnival-nival vegetation of high mountains followed by vegetation of lower
latitudes and elevations. In the following descriptions the lowest and highest elevation lim its of each vegetation
unit for the entire Caucasus are given.
A. Su b n iv a l-n iv a l v e g e t a t io n (from 2,900 to > 4,200 m a.s.l.) containing about 300 species of vascular
plants, 70-80 of which are typical of the ultimate highlands devoid of permanent snow. The belt is present in
three of the four vertical zonation types identified for the Caucasus (I, II, and III; Zazanashvili, Gagnidze &
Nakhutsrishvili, 2000; see Attachment A); the more continental the regional climate is, the higher are elevations
where this type of vegetation occurs: in the South Caucasian zonation type it occurs at elevations 400 and 500
m higher than in the eastern and western Caucasian zonation types, respectively. The vegetation is com posed of
subnival rock and scree open plant com m unities with the following dom inant species: Cerastium polymorphum,
Minuartia trautvetteriana (Caryophyllaceae), Pseudoversicaria digitata (Brassiceae), Saxifraga scleropoda
(Saxifragaceae) in the West Caucasus; Cerastium kasbek (Caryophyllaceae), Tripleurospermum subnivale
(Asteraceae) in the East Caucasus; and Draba araratica (Brassiceae), Saxifraga hirculus (Saxifragaceae), Poa
araratica (Poaceae) in the South Caucasus. Cryptogams dominate in the uppermost parts of the subnival-nival
vegetation belt (Nakhutsrishvili, 2013).
B. Alp in e v e g e t a t io n o n ca r b o n a t e a n d s ilica t e s t r a t a (from 2,400 to 3,600 m a.s.l.) consisting mainly
of (i) alpine grasslands, (ii) carpet-type snow-bed communities, (iii) alpine shrub heaths predominantly made
up of Rhododendron caucasicum, and (iv) rock and scree plant com m unities. The alpine zone is absent from
vegetation zone type IV in Hyrcan (Talysh mountains). The climate-driven altitudinal patterns change from
west to east: in the eastern and especially southern parts of the region respective vegetation zones are located
at higher elevations than in the western part (see Attachm ent A).
Alpine grasslands: In the West, grasslands in the lower alpine belt are largely dom inated by grasses such as
Festuca djimilensis, Agrostis Lazica and Nardus stricta, the latter growing on gentle slopes of alm ost all exposures
throughout the Caucasus; in the upper belt by F. supina reaching highest elevations (2,700-2,900 m a.s.l.)
of the alpine zone within the East Caucasian zonation type, and a sedge Kobresia schoenoides. Geranium
gymnocaulon is a characteristic forb of the West as well as East Caucasian alpine m eadows throughout
the vertical range of the zone. In the East Nardus stricta, Festuca varia, F. supina, Poa alpina, Bromopsis
variegata are dom inant grasses and Carex tristis, and Kobresia m acrolepis and K. humilis dom inant sedges
of the lower alpine belt; Festuca varia and Carex tristis m aintain their dom inant positions in the upper belt,
while Koeleria macrolepis is substituted by K. schoenoides.
Alpine carpet-type snow-bed communities: Alpine carpet-type snow-bed communities (mats) occur in
the upper alpine belt; they require or tolerate persistent snow cover (7–9 months or throughout the year) and
are com posed of low stature geophytes and caespitose forb species such as Cerastium cerastoides, Ranunculus
svaneticus and Potentilla crantzii in the West, and Sibbaldia parviflora, Carum caucasicum, Campanula
biebersteiniana, C. tridentata, C. argunensis, Alchemilla caucasica, Plantago saxatilis var. alpina, Taraxacum
stevenii, Veronica gentianoides and Myosotis alpestris in the East. In the South Caucasian zonation type,
formed under the influence of the Iranian-Minor Asian continental climate with annual precipitation lower
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than 1,000 mm, alpine steppes made up of Festuca varia, F. chalcophaea, Alopecurus aucheri and Carex
tristis create the major land cover; no carpet-type communities occur.
Alpine shrub heaths: Along with predom inant Rhododendron caucasicum the heaths in the West, East
and South Caucasian zonation types are made up of low stature junipers (Juniperus communis subsp.
hemisphaerica and J. sabina) occasionally inter-spread with Rhododendron caucasicum scrub, and dwarf
shrub Dryas caucasica as well as Vaccinium myrtillus growing on northern to north-western stony slopes.
Alpine shrubs are found in sm all spots, som e types with Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea growing on
moist habitats of the northern slopes with a significant development of soil cover; xerophilous semi-shrubs
Thymus caucasicus (Th. praecox subsp. caucasicus), Th. nummmularius and Astragalus beckerianus are
found on the southern and eastern, rarely northern slopes (Gadjiyev, 1970).
Rock and scree communities: Rock and scree plant communities include oreo-xerophilous vascular
plan ts an d cryptogam s an d predom in ate at upper lim its of the zon e throughout the Caucasus
(Bohn et al., 2000/2003; Bohn et al., 2004; Bohn, Zazanashvili, Nakhutsrishvili, 2007; Ketskhoveli, 1960;
Nakhutsrishvili, 1999, 2013; Nakhutsrishvili et al., 2017). In the southern Caucasus one of distinctive
represen tatives of screes is Vavilovia formosa.
Rhododendron caucasicum heaths, Eastern Greater Caucasus
© N. Zazanashvili, WWF
C. Ca u ca s ia n cr o o k e d a n d o p e n w o o d la n d s z o n e (from 1,600 to 2,700 m a.s.l.). The vegetation cover
is m ainly m ade up of: (i) m esophilous crooked forests, (ii) subalpine shrublands, (iii) tall herb vegetation,
and (iv) grasslands of various ecology. The zone is m ostly absent in the Talysh m ountains in the Hyrcanian
bio-geographic region, but exists in the Hyrcanian part of the Alborz mountain range in Iran: there are no
m esic types of subalpine forests such as Betula spp. Forests, or shrub com m unities such as Rhododendron
thickets, but Quercus macranthera and Juniperus shrub communities are quite common (Akhani et al., 2010).
Generally, zonation in the upper altitudes of Alborz m ountains is m ore sim ilar to the South Caucasian type of
zonation (Attachm ent A).
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Crooked forests are formed by beech, oak and birch (Fagus orientalis, Quercus pontica, Betula
medwedewii, B. megrelica) with a Colchic understory in the West Caucasus; in the upper belt they are
partly substituted by birch and ash-birch crooked woodlands with Betula litwinowii, and Sorbus caucasigena.
Birch and ash (Betula litwinowii, B. raddeana, Sorbus caucasigena) are major trees of the subalpine woodlands
in both the lower and upper belts in the eastern zonation type. Dark coniferous and beech-dark coniferous
forests, the major vegetation of Zone D (see below), often with a Colchic understorey are also present in
the lower subalpine belt of the western crooked and open woodlands zone; oak, pine and m aple woodlands,
including open woodlands (Quercus macranthera, Pinus kochiana, Acer trautvetteri) occur in the lower belt
of the eastern subalpine zone. Quercus macranthera is the only species that m akes up subalpine woodlands in
the respective zone of the South Caucasian zonation type.
Above the treeline Rhamnus imeretina, Sorbus subfusca, Corylus colchica scrub and Colchic thickets of
Rhododendron ponticum, Rh. ungernii, Laurocerasus officinalis, Ilex colchica, Ruscus colchicus, Vaccinium
arctostaphylos are typical of the West Caucasus, while low and prostrate juniper open communities (Juniperus
hemisphaerica, J. sabina) growing on rocks and screes and especially Rhododendron caucasicum scrub
(although the latter is widespread throughout the Caucasus and reaches the upper lim its of the alpine zone)
are m ostly characteristic of the eastern Caucasus.
Tall herb vegetation occurs in the West, East and South Caucasus and is form ed by giant species (m egaphorbs)
of 1.5-2 m tall herbs of various families; in the West Heracleum ponticum, Ligusticum physospermifolium
and Senecio cladobotrys are the most frequent, while Heracleum sosnowskyi, Agasyllis latifolia, Aconitum
nasutum, A. orientale, Cephalaria gigantea, Cicerbita macrophylla, Knautia montana, Senecio rhombifolius,
Doronicum macrophyllum, Delphinium flexuosum and Inula helenium are typical of the eastern and southern
Caucasus (Takhtajan, 1941; Gagnidze, 1974, 1977; Gadjiyev, 1970).
Grasslands: Subalpine m eadows of the western Caucasus are largely dom inated by Calamagrostis
arundinacea, Poa iberica and Geranium platypetalum in the lower subalpine belt; Calamagrostis arundinacea
is also a dom inant grass in the upper belt along with Festuca djimilensis, which also dom inates in the above
alpine m eadows. Lim estone endem ic com m unities of Woronowia speciosa and Carex pontica are also worth
a special m ention. In the eastern and southern Caucasus Bromopsis variegata, Agrostis tenuis, Hordeum
violaceum, Geranium ibericum and G. platypetalum are dom inant species in the lower subalpine belt.
Anemone fasciculata and Polygonum carneum, Betonica macrantha com m unities are widespread alm ost
throughout the Caucasus on moderately humid northern and north-western slopes. Veratrum lobelianum is
a frequently abundant species on grazed slopes. Calamagrostis arundinacea com m unities are found here on
wet gentle slopes, m ostly within the range of birch woodlands. Deschampsia cespitosa com m unities occur on
river terraces and wetlands. So-called meadow steppe communities formed by xeromorphic species are also
widespread in suitable environm ents in the eastern and southern Caucasus; the dom inant species of these
com m unities are: Festuca ovina, Carex humilis, Bromopsis variegate and Thymus collinus in the East, and
Bromopsis variegata, Phleum nodosum and Koeleria caucasuca in the South. In the eastern and southern
upper subalpine zone and the alpine zone Festuca varia dom inates in grasslands along with Inula orientalis,
Geranium ibericum and Betonica macrantha. Som e southern parts of south Caucasus characterized by
the m ost continental clim ate in the region features m ountain steppes with Festuca valesiaca, Koeleria
macrantha, and Sesleria phleoides, and tragacanth com m unities of Astragalus aureus, A. lagurus and
Onobrychis cornuta; sim ilar com m unities are also present elsewhere in the Caucasus, particularly,
in the eastern Greater Caucasus in appropriate local environm ents, e.g. com m unities of Astragalus
captiosus and A. denudatus in the eastern part of the Central Greater Caucasus (Alizade it al., 2019;
Bohn et al., 2000/2003; Bohn et al., 2004; Bohn, Zazanashvili, Nakhutsrishvili, 2007; Gadjiyev, 1970;
Ketskhoveli, 1960; Nakhutsrishvili, 1999, 2013; Nakhutsrishvili et al., 2017).
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D . M e s o p h y t ic a n d h y d r o m e s o p h y t ic co n ife r o u s a n d m ixe d fo r e s t s (between 1,000 and 2,100 m,
with core area between 1,400 and 1,800 m a.s.l.) of Abies nordmanniana, Picea orientalis and Fagus orientalis,
partly with Colchic understorey: Rhododendron ponticum, Rh. ungernii, Laurocerasus officinalis, Ilex colchica,
Ruscus colchicus, Vaccinium arctostaphylos and Viburnum orientale (Bohn, Zazanashvili, Nakhutsrishvili,
2007; Ketskhoveli, 1960; Nakhutsrishvili, 1999, 2013; Zazanashvili, Gagnidze & Nakhutsrishvili, 2000).
These forests spread eastwards along the Greater Caucasus: fir reaches Liakhvi gorge and spruce, Aragvi gorge;
along the Lesser Caucasus they spread to Algeti (Ketskhoveli, 1960; Dolukhanov, 2010). At the uppermost
level Dolukhanov (2010) classifies the dark coniferous and mixed forests according to presence of the Colchic
understorey; sub-types at this further level of classification are distinguished according to the major species of
shrub understorey or herb cover and include:
(i) Dark coniferous forests with Colchic understorey: dark coniferous forests with Rhododendron
ponticum, dark coniferous forests with Laurocerasus officinalis, dark coniferous forests with Ilex colchica,
dark coniferous forests with Vaccinium arctostaphylos, dark coniferous forests with V. orientale, rock spruce
and fir forests;
(ii) Dark coniferous forests without Colchic understorey: spruce forests with patchy m oss cover,
dark coniferous forests with Festuca drymeja, hemixerophilous spruce forests, fir forests with Luzula spicata,
dark coniferous forests with small herbs, fir forests with Trachystemon orientale, beech-spruce forests with
ferns, fir forests with Calamagrostis arundinacea, fir forests with mixed herb cover, fir forests with sparse
herb cover. The beech forest type with Colchic understorey spreading up to 1,000 (1,200) m a.s.l. is considered
within formation H. Hygro-thermophilous mixed deciduous broadleaved forests, below.
Mixed temperate forest, Western Lesser Caucasus
© WWF
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F6. Caucasian oriental beech and oriental beech-hornbeam forests (from 800 to 2,000 m, with core
area between 1,000-1,800 m a.s.l.). In the west this formation is designated as Humid beech forest and is m ade
up of Fagus orientalis forest often with a Colchic understorey; also dark coniferous and mixed beech-darkconiferous forests (Abies nordmanniana, Picea orientalis, Fagus orientalis), partly with a Colchic understorey;
Colchic thickets (see specific composition above). In the east and southeast the formation is designated as
Mesic beech forest with Fagus orientalis in both vegetation zonation types; Quercus macranthera and Pinus
kochiana forests and woodlands in the eastern vegetation zonation type (Bohn, Zazanashvili, Nakhutsrishvili,
2007; Ketskhoveli, 1960; Nakhutsrishvili, 1999, 2013; Zazanashvili, Gagnidze & Nakhutsrishvili, 2000).
Beech and hornbeam-beech forests (Fagus orientalis, Carpinus caucasica) within the lower m ountain forests
of the eastern zonation type and humid thermophilous Hyrcanian broad-leaved forests of the southeastern
zonation type (Zazanashvili, Gagnidze & Nakhutsrishvili, 2000; see Attachment A) should be considered within
the zone F6 in the classification scheme by Bohn et al. (2007).
At the uppermost level Dolukhanov (2010) classifies beech forests according to presence of the Colchic
understorey; sub-types at the further level are distinguished according to the major species of shrub understorey
or herb cover and include:
(i) Beech forests with Colchic understorey: beech forests with Rhododendron ponticum, beech forests
with Laurocerasus officinalis, beech forests with Ilex colchica, beech forests with Ruscus colchica, dark
coniferous forests with Vaccinium arctostaphylos, beech forests with Rhododendron luteum, dark coniferous
forests with Viburnum orientale;
(ii) Beech forests without Colchic understorey: beech forests with Festuca drymeja, hem ixerophilous
beech forests, beech forests with dead ground cover, beech forests with Dentaria iberica, beech forests
with Asperula caucasica, beech forests with Asarum intermedium and Symphytum grandiflorum,
beech forests with Rubus hirtus s.l., beech forests with Trachystemon orientale, beech forests with ferns
(Matteuccia struthiopteris, Dryopteris filix mas), beech forests with Luzula spicata. Prilipko (1954) also
identified beech forests with Taxus baccata, subalpine beech forests with Pyracantha coccinea, in Talysh
Mountains - beech forests with Ilex hyrcana, as well as with Hedera pastuchovii and Danae racemosa. Beech
forests with Colchic understorey, especially, below 1000 (1200) m a.s.l., i.e. occurring within the humid
thermophilous Colchic broad-leaved forest zone as defined by Zazanashvili et al. (2000) should be considered
within the scope of the form ation H (see below).
All Colchic forest types (described in Form ation C, D, F and H; see also Attachm ent A. Colchic type) as well as
Hyrcanian forests under formation H are also classified as temperate rainforests (Nakhutsrishvili, Zazanashvili
& Batsatsashvili, 2011).
F7. Hornbeam-oak mixed forests of the Caucasus / G. Thermophilous mixed deciduous
b r o a d -le a v e d fo r e s t s . These formations have a different ecology and different elevational distribution in
the Caucasus vegetation zonation types. According to Zazanashvili et al. (2000), the following types should
be considered within the scope of the F7 / G zones designated by Bohn et al. (2007): the eastern zonation
type willow (Salix spp.) species on the first river terrace; riparian oak and poplar-oak forests (Quercus
pedunculiflora, Populus hybrida, P. nigra with Acer velutinum, Ulmus suberosa) and hornbeam-oak
forests on the slopes (Quercus iberica, Carpinus orientalis) within the Riparian and foothill forest belt
(< 500-600 (1,000) m a.s.l.) as well as oak-hornbeam forests (Quercus iberica, Carpinus caucasica) within
the lower mountain forest belt (from 500 to 1,000 (1,200) m a.s.l.). Thermophilous hornbeam-oak forests with
Quercus iberica, Carpinus caucasica and C. orientalis also occur in relatively dry habitats within the hum id
thermophilous Colchic broad-leaved forest zone of the west Caucasian vegetation zonation type (Zazanashvili,
Gagnidze & Nakhutsrishvili, 2000). The F7 / G zones also include Quercus macranthera woodlands within
the Hemi-xeric woodlands of the southern zonation type (from 1,600 to 2,300 (2,400) m a.s.l.) as well as
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Quercus maranthera forests with Acer campestre, A. hyrcanum, Fraxinus excelsior, Carpinus caucasica,
Sorbus boissieri, Pyrus syriaca, Malus orientalis, Viburnum lantana, Sorbus graeca, known from Arasbaran,
Iran (Assadi, 1987); by elevational distribution (1,500-2,000 m) the latter type partly corresponds to
the upper part of the Mesic beech forest zone and lower part of the Steppe and xeric dwarf semi-shrub zone of
the south eastern zonation type Zazanasvili et al (2000). In the southern zonation type, oak-hornbeam forests
dom inated by Quercus iberica or Q. macranthera and Carpinus caucasica, and hornbeam-beech and beech
forests with Fagus orientalis or also typical. The fruit forests with different Pyrus species, Prunus divaricata,
etc. are specific for southern Caucasus. Quercus castaneifolia therm ophytic forest sporadically with Parrotia
persica, Zelkova carpinifolia, Acer velutinum, Gleditsia caspia; Quercus iberica-Carpinus caucasica forests are
considered within Humid thermophilous Hyrcanian broad-leaved forests (from 600 to 1,000 (1,200) m a.s.l.)
of the southeastern (Hyrcanian) zonation type (Bohn, Zazanashvili, Nakhutsrishvili, 2007; Ketskhoveli, 1960;
Nakhutsrishvili, 1999, 2013; Zazanashvili, Gagnidze & Nakhutsrishvili, 2000).
Colchic forest, Kintrishi State Reserve, Georgia
© N. Zazanashvili, WWF
A special feature of the Caucasus ecoregion is two refugia of the Tertiary identified as the zone H. Hygrotherm ophilous m ixed deciduous broadleaved forests. This vegetation occurs within the distribution areas of
two vegetation zonation types: Colchic and Hyrcanian and spreads up to 1,000 (1,200) m a.s.l. in both regions.
The Colchic forest is m ade up of Castanea sativa, Carpinus caucasica, Fagus orientalis, Quercus hartwissiana
and Zelkova carpinifolia, with a Colchic understorey including Rhododendron ponticum, Laurocerasus
officinalis and Ruscus colchicus as well as the lianas Hedera colchica, H. helix, Dioscorea caucasica and
Vitis sylvestris. Riparian and wetland forests of Alnus glutinosa with Pterocarya carpinifolia occur within
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the range of these forests. The major constituents of the Hyrcanian forests are: oak-parrotia, parrotiahornbeam-oak, oak-hornbeam-azad forests (Quercus castaneifolia, Parrotia persica, Zelkova carpinifolia,
Carpinus caucasica, Albizzia julibrissin, Ficus hyrcana, Diospiros lotus, Ulmus glabra with shrubs and
sem ishrubs: Ilex hyrcana, Ruscus hyrcanus, Danaë racemosa, and lianas: Smilax excelsa, Periploca graeca,
Hedera pastuchowii); these forests spread up to 600 m a.s.l. Alluvial forests have been almost entirely
replaced by cultural landscapes in the South Caspian area of Iran but still exist in sm all areas (e.g. in Gilan);
they are com posed of Alnus glutinosa with Populus caspica, Pterocarya fraxinifolia, Ulmus minor, Cornus
australis, Alnus subcordata, Diospyros lotus, Buxus hyrcana and Ilex spinigera and belong to the sam e
type (Akhani et al., 2010). As stated above, from 600 to 1,000 (1,200) m a.s.l. mainly Quercus castaneifolia
therm ophytic forest grows sporadically with Parrotia persica, Zelkova carpinifolia, Acer velutinum,
Gleditsia caspia (Bohn, Zazanashvili, Nakhutsrishvili, 2007; Dolukhanov, 1980; Ketskhoveli, 1960;
Nakhutsrishvili, 1999, 2013; Nakhutsrishvili et al., 2015; Safarov, 2010; Zazanashvili, Gagnidze &
Nakhutsrishvili, 2000).
M . St e p p e s . Steppes are spread in the Caucasus from north of the Black Sea to the Caspian lowland, in
East Georgia and subalpine areas in the form of islets. The m ain constituents are: Stipa spp., Botriochloa
ischaemum, Festuca valesiaca, Bromopsis riparia, Carex humilis, with Stipa tirsa, Festuca valesiaca,
Koeleria cristata, Nepeta grossheimii at higher elevations, from 1,600 to 2,300 (2,400) m a.s.l. and higher);
a num ber of species of grasses in the genera Dianthus, Salvia, Onobrychis, Astragalus, and geophytes species
of Tulipa, Crocus, Gagea, Iris, etc. are present. In the North Caucasus, steppes are spread up to 500–600(700)
m a. s. l. between semi-deserts in the west and deserts in the east; steppe and semi-desert are interrupted in
places by m arshes and forests on wetlands. The following types are part of the Riverside and foothill forest
belt of the eastern zonation type and xeric grass, semi-shrub and woodland zones of the southern zonation
type: steppes interspersed with arid woodlands (Pistacia mutica, Juniperus polycarpos, J. foetidissima, Celtis
caucasica) and shibliak (Paliurus spina-christi, Rhamnus pallasii, Atraphaxis spinosa, Ephedra procera),
as well as with low woodlands (Pyrus spp., Acer hyrcanum, Crataegus spp., Juniperus polycarpos), hemi-xeric
shrublands (Cotoneaster spp., Sorbus graeca) and elem ents of tom illares (Thymus kotschianus, Scutellaria
spp., Stachchys inflata) and friganoids (Ambliopogon spp., Caccinia rauwolfii, Hedysarum formosum)
(Bohn, Zazanashvili, Nakhutsrishvili, 2007; Ketskhoveli, 1960; Nakhutsrishvili, 1999, 2013; Zazanashvili,
Gagnidze & Nakhutsrishvili, 2000).
N . Or e o xe r o p h y t ic v e g e t a t io n o f t h o r n -cu s h io n co m m u n it ie s . The m ain constituents of this form ation
are Astragalus caucasicus, A. microcephalus, A. denudatus, A. gudrathi, A. meyeri, Onobrychis cornuta
and Acantholimon spp., e.g. A. schemachense, A.bracteatum, A. araxanum. The form ation occurs in severe
conditions of winter cold, sum m er dryness and high solar radiation of rocky areas throughout the Caucasus.
Oreoxerophytic vegetation of Central Dagestan is worth special em phasis. A typical feature of zonation in
Dagestan is that com pared to the West and Central Greater Caucasus elevation zones shift upwards alm ost by
1,000 m, and in places even by 1,500 m owing to climate aridity. More than 900 endemic species of Caucasus
plants are reported from the northern macroslope of the Eastern Caucasus (Murtazaliev & Litvinskaya, 2009),
which is 72.35% of all Caucasus endemics recorded in the Russian part of the region (Litvinskaya & Murtazaliev
2009). Three of the 21 monotypic genera of the Caucasus: Muehlenbergella, Pseudobetckea, and Mandenovia
occur there as well.
The form ation O. D e s e r t s occurs in the Caspian depression, valleys of the rivers Kura and Ara(k)s and
as small fragments in various regions of the South Caucasus, mostly below 1,200 m a.s.l. They include
dwarf semi-shrub deserts with Artemisia fragrans, Salsola spp. with ephem eroids such as Poa bulbosa,
Catabrosella humilis; deserts with Halocnemum strobilaceum, Suaeda microphylla, Salsola dendroides,
S. nodulosa on saline soils; thorn-cushion communities (Artemisia microcephalus, A. vedicus, A. karjaginii)
(Asadova K, 2008; Bohn et al., 2007; Ketskhoveli, 1960; Movsumova, 2005; Nakhutsrishvili, 1999, 2013;
Zazanashvili, Gagnidze & Nakhutsrishvili, 2000).
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SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Open Juniper woodland, southern Armenia
© A. Malkhasyan, WWF
Azonal vegetation: P. Co a s t a l v e g e t a t io n a n d in la n d h a lo p h y t ic v e g e t a t io n a n d R . Ta ll r e e d
v e g e t a t io n a n d t a ll s e d g e s w a m p s , a q u a t ic v e g e t a t io n are also represented at various elevations
within the Caucasus ecoregion (Bohn, Zazanashvili, Nakhutsrishvili, 2007; Nakhutsrishvili, 1999, 2013).
Vegetation types of the Caucasus are conserved in a num ber of Protected Areas in all countries of ecoregion.
Research for three countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) showed that the least protected are steppes,
deserts (including semideserts) and vegetation of flood plains; vegetation types of formations D and F are
also quite far from 17% protection required by CBD 2020 targets (Montalvo Mancheno, Zazanashvili &
Beruchashvili, 2017). Further development of protected areas systems is needed to fill typological and spatial
gaps in term s of conservation of vegetation types. Work on the Em erald Network ongoing in the South Caucasus
countries will help guide developm ent of PAs and generally will add value to plant and vegetation conservation
in the Caucasus.
115
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
Attachment A: Mountain zonation types of Caucasus vegetation (according to Zazanashvili et al., 2000)
I. West Caucasian (Colchic)
II. East Caucasian
III. South Caucasian
IV. Southeast Caucasian
(Hyrcanian)
IA. Hum id therm ophilous
Colchic broad-leaved forest
zone, up to 1,000 (1,200)
m: IA1. Mixed broadleaved forest belt, up to
500 (600) m; IA2. Chestnut
forest belt, from 500-1,000
(1,200) m.
IIA1. Riverside and foothill
forest belt, below 500-600
(1,000) m; IIA2. Lower
mountain belt, from 5001,000 (1,200) m.
IIIA. Desert zone, below
800 m.
IVA. Hum id therm ophilous
Hyrcanian broad-leaved
forest zone, below 1,000
(1,200) m: IVA1. Mixed
broad-leaved forest belt, up
to 600 m; IVA2. Oak forest
belt, from 600 to 1,000
(1,200) m.
IB. Hum id beech forest
zone, between 1,000 (800)1,400 (1,800) m.
IIB. Mesic beech forest
zone, from 1,000-1,800
(2,000) m: IIB1. Middle
mountain belt, 1,000-1,500
m; IIB2. Upper mountain
belt, 1,500-1,900 (2,000) m.
IIIB. Xeric grass and semishrub zone, 800 (1,200)1,600 m.
IVB. Mesic beech forest
zone, from1,000 -1,600
(1,800) m.
IC. Nem oral hum id
coniferous forest zone,
from 1,400 (1,000) -1,800
(2,100) m.
IVC. (Talysh m ountains):
IIIC. Hemi-xeric woodland Steppe and xeric dwarf
zone, 1,600-2,300 (2,400) m. semi-shrub zone, from
1,600 to 2,300 (2,500) m.
ID. Subalpine elfin wood
and m eadow zone, from
1,800 (1,600)-2,400
(2,700) m: ID1. Lower
subalpine belt, from 1,800
(1,600)-2,100 (2,200); ID2.
Upper subalpine belt. This
belt, from 2,100 to 2,400
(2,700) m.
IIC. Subalpine elfin wood
and m eadow zone, between
1,900 (2,000) and 2,500
(2,700) m: IIC1. Lower
subalpine belt, 1,900 -2,200
m; IIC2. Upper subalpine
belt, 2,200 - 2,500 (2,600) m.
IIID. Subalpine woodland
and grassland zone,
between 2,300 and 2,800
(2,900) m.
IE. Alpine grassland and
thicket zone, between
2,400- 2,900 (3,000) m:
IE1. Lower alpine belt,
from 2,400 to 2,750 m; IE2.
Upper alpine belt, from
2,750 to 2,900 (3,000) m.
IID. Alpine grassland and
thicket zone, between 2,500
and 3,000 (3,200) m: IID1.
Lower alpine belt, between
2,500 and 2,800 m; IID2.
Upper alpine belt, from
2,800-3,000(3,200) m.
IIIE. Alpine grassland zone,
2,800-3,400 (3,600) m.
IF. Subnival zone, from
2,900-3,700 (4,000) m.
IIE. Subnival open zone,
3,000 - 4,000 m.
IIIF. Subnival open zone,
between 3,400 and 4,200
(4,400) m.
IG. Nival cryptogam zone,
above 3,700 m.
IIF. Nival cryptogam zone,
above 4,000 m.
IIIG. Nival cryptogam zone,
above 4,200 m.
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SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Annex 1: TH E IU CN GLOBALLY TH REATEN ED SPECIES IN THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION (2019)
Distribution by
Countries
Ge o rgia
Iran
Russia
Tu rke y
Local, Country
or Regional
Endemics
17
Azerbaijan
Mammals
Armenia
Common Name
Critically
En d an ge re d
Scientific Name
En d an ge re d
#
Vulnerable
IU CN Cate go ry
2019
9
5
3
9
8
10
7
12
5
6
1
Bison bonasus
European Bison
+
2
Capra aegagrus
Wild (bezoar) Goat
+
3
Capra caucasica
West Caucasian Tur
4
Gazella subgutturosa
Goitered Gazelle
5
Meriones dahli
Dahl's J ird
6
Mustela lutreola
European Mink
7
Myotis hajastanicus
Arm enian Whiskered Bat
8
Nyctalus lasiopterus
Giant Noctule
9
Ovis orientalis
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Mouflon
+
+
+
+
+
+
11 Phoca caspica (Pusa caspica)
Caspian Seal
12 Rhinolophus mehelyi
Mehely's Horseshoe Bat
+
Saiga Antelope
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
15 Sicista caucasica
Caucasian Birch Mouse
Kazbeg Birch Mouse
17 Vormela peregusna
Marbled Polecat
23
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
5
+
+
+
15
3
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
17
21
19
20
23
19
18 Anser erythropus
Lesser White-fronted Goose
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
19 Aquila heliaca
Eastern Im perial Eagle
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
20 Aquila nipalensis
Steppe Eagle
+
+
+
+
+
+
21 Aythya ferina
Com m on Pochard
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
22 Branta ruficollis
Red-breasted Goose
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
23 Chlamydotis macqueenii
Macqueen's Bustard
+
24 Clanga clanga
Greater Spotted Eagle
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
25 Clangula hyemalis
Long-tailed Duck
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
26 Emberiza rustica
Rustic Bunting
27 Falco cherrug
Saker Falcon
+
28 Haliaeetus leucoryphus
Pallas's Fish-eagle
+
29 Leucogeranus leucogeranus
Siberian Crane
+
+
+
+
30 Marmaronetta angustirostris
Marbled Teal
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Velvet Scoter
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
32 Neophron percnopterus
Egyptian Vulture
+
+
+
+
+
+
33 Numenius tenuirostris
Slender-billed Curlew
34 Otis tarda
Great Bustard
35 Oxyura leucocephala
White-headed Duck
36 Podiceps auritus
Horned Grebe
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
37 Puffinus yelkouan
Yelkouan Shearwater
+
+
+
+
38 Rissa tridactyla
Black-legged Kittiwake
+
+
+
+
+
39 Streptopelia turtur
European Turtle-dove
+
40 Vanellus gregarius
Sociable Lapwing
+
0
+
31 Melanitta fusca
+
+
+
+
+
16 Sicista kazbegica
Birds
+
+
+
Leopard
Arm enian Birch Mouse
+
+
10 Panthera pardus
13 Saiga tatarica
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
14 Sicista armenica
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
119
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
TH E IU CN GLOBALLY TH REATEN ED SPECIES IN THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION (2019)
Distribution by
Countries
Ge o rgia
Iran
Russia
Tu rke y
Local, Country
or Regional
Endemics
21
Azerbaijan
Reptiles
41 Darevskia alpina
Armenia
Common Name
Critically
En d an ge re d
Scientific Name
En d an ge re d
#
Vulnerable
IU CN Cate go ry
2019
8
7
6
6
8
8
4
8
13
19
+
42 Darevskia bendimahiensis
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Clarks' Lizard
44 Darevskia dryada
Charnali Lizard
45 Darevskia rostombekowi
Rostom bekov's Rock Lizard
+
+
+
46 Darevskia uzzelli
Uzzell's Lizard
Pleske's Racerunner
48 Montivipera wagneri
Wagner's Viper
49 Natrix megalocephala
Large-headed Water Snake
50 Phrynocephalus horvathi
Toad-headed Agama
51 Phrynocephalus persicus
Persian Toad Agam e
+
52 Testudo graeca
Com m on / Mediterranean Tortoise
+
53 Vipera darevskii
Darevsky's Viper
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
54 Vipera dinniki
Dinnik's Viper
+
Iranian Mountain Steppe Viper
+
56 Vipera eriwanensis
Alburzi Viper
+
57 Vipera kaznakovi
Caucasian Viper
+
+
58 Vipera magnifica
Magnificent Viper
Orlov's Viper
60 Vipera pontica
Pontic Viper
61 Vipera renardi
Eastern Steppe Viper
+
+
+
+
+
55 Vipera ebneri
+
+
+
+
+
62 Bufo eichwaldi
Eichwald's Toad
+
63 Mertensiella caucasica
Caucasian Salam ander
+
22
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
1
2
+
0
0
0
1
1
+
1
0
+
+
+
12
9
14
10
+
+
+
+
+
65 Acipenser nudiventris
Ship Sturgeon
+
+
+
+
+
+
66 Acipenser persicus
Persian Sturgeon
+
+
+
+
+
67 Acipenser ruthenus
Sterlet
+
+
68 Acipenser stellatus
Stellate Sturgeon
+
+
71 Anguilla anguilla
European Eel
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
73 Cyprinus carpio
Wild Com m on Carp
74 Huso huso
Beluga
75 Lampetra lanceolata
Turkish Brook Lam prey
+
+
77 Luciobarbus capito
Bulatm ai Barbel
+
78 Pomatomus saltatrix
Bluefish
+
79 Ponticola rizensis
Iyidere Goby
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
76 Luciobarbus brachycephalus Aral Barbel
+
+
+
72 Clupeonella abrau
120
3
7
11
European (Atlantic) Sturgeon
12
+
+
Pontic shad
2
+
Russian Sturgeon
69 Acipenser sturio
+
+
64 Acipenser gueldenstaedtii
70 Alosa immaculata
8
+
+
+
+
2
+
+
+
2
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Amphibians
Fish
+
+
+
59 Vipera orlovi
+
+
43 Darevskia clarkorum
47 Eremias pleskei
+
+
+
+
+
2020 EDITION
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
TH E IU CN GLOBALLY TH REATEN ED SPECIES IN THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION (2019)
Distribution by
Countries
Ge o rgia
Iran
Russia
Tu rke y
Local, Country
or Regional
Endemics
22
Azerbaijan
Fish
Armenia
Common Name
Critically
En d an ge re d
Scientific Name
En d an ge re d
#
Vulnerable
IU CN Cate go ry
2019
8
2
12
3
11
12
9
14
10
7
80
Ponticola turani
+
81
Pseudophoxinus atropatenus Azerbaijani Spring Roach
+
+
+
82
Pseudophoxinus
sojuchbulagi
Akstafa Spring Roach
+
+
+
Aksu Goby
83
Salmo ezenami
Kezenoi-am Trout
+
84
Salmo ischchan
Sevan Trout
+
+
85
Squalus acanthias
Spiny Dogfish
0
0
0
0
1
100
98
73
46
63
86
Astacus astacus
1
1
276
78
Noble Crayfish
Plants
+
+
Acer divergens
Çoruh Akçaağacı
+
Achnatherum roshevitzii
Roshevich's Achnatherum
+
89
Aethionema grandiflorum
var. sintenisii
Persian Stonecress
90
Alcea grossheimii
Grossheim 's Alcea
91
Allium baytopiorum
Baytop's Onion
92
Allium czelghauricum
Czelghaurian Onion
93
Allium pseudoalbidum
Onion
+
94
Allium struzlianum
Struzl's Onion
+
95
Allochrusa takhtajanii
Takhtadjyan's Allochrusa
+
Artvinian Alyssum
+
Curtailed Am blyopyrum
+
98
Anabasis eugeniae
Eugenia's Anabasis
99
Angelica adzharica
Adjarian Angelica
Thin Asphodeline
Dagestanian Spleenwort
+
109 Astragalus bylowae
Bylov's Milk Vetch
110 Astragalus cuscutae
Dodder Astragalus
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
111 Astragalus daghestanicus
Daghestanian Milk Vetch
+
Eliasian Milk Vetch
+
113 Astragalus hirtulus
Milk Vetch
+
114 Astragalus holophyllus
Entire-leaved Milk Vetch
+
+
+
+
+
112 Astragalus eliasianus
+
+
+
+
+
+
115 Astragalus igniarius
Milk Vetch
+
Long-flagged Milk Vetch
+
117 Astragalus magnificus
Big Astragalus
+
+
+
+
116 Astragalus longivexillatus
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Atenian Astracantha
+
+
+
Sharp-leaved Milk Vetch
+
+
+
105 Astracantha atenica
Albanian Astragalus
276
+
+
106 Astragalus acmophylloides
Aspindzian Astragalus
90
+
+
+
108 Astragalus aspindzicus
49
+
+
104 Asplenium hermannii-christii Asplenium of Herm ann Christ
107 Astragalus albanicus
1
+
+
Amblyopyrum muticum
102 Asphodeline tenuior
0
+
Alyssum artvinense
103 Asplenium daghestanicum
0
+
96
Kazbegian Rock-cress
0
+
97
Rod-shaped Woodruff
0
+
88
100 Arabis kazbegi
+
+
87
101 Asperula virgata
+
+
+
Crustaceans
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
121
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
Tu rke y
Russia
Iran
Ge o rgia
Armenia
Critically
En d an ge re d
Common Name
En d an ge re d
Scientific Name
Vulnerable
#
Azerbaijan
Distribution by
Countries
IU CN Cate go ry
2019
Local, Country
or Regional
Endemics
TH E IU CN GLOBALLY TH REATEN ED SPECIES IN THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION (2019)
118 Astragalus maraziensis
Marazinian Astragalus
119 Astragalus nigrocalycinus
Black-calyx Milk Vetch
+
+
+
120 Astragalus olurensis
Olurian Milk Vetch
+
+
+
121 Astragalus schachbuzensis
Shakhbuzian Milk Vetch
+
122 Astragalus shagalensis
Shagalian Milk Vetch
123 Astragalus tatlii
Tatli's Milk Vetch
+
+
+
124 Astragalus trabzonicus
Trabzonian Milk Vetch
+
+
+
125 Astragalus vardziae
Vardzian Astragalus
+
+
+
126 Astrantia colchica
Colchic Masterwort
+
+
+
127 Barbamine ketzkhovelii
Ketskhoveli's Barbam ine
+
+
128 Barbarea grandiflora
Large-flowered Barbarea
+
129 Barbarea lutea
Artvinian Barbarea
+
130 Betula megrelica
Megrelian Birch
+
131 Bilacunaria caspia
Caspian Bilacunaria
+
132 Bufonia takhtajanii
Takhtadjyan's Bufonia
133 Bupleurum kosopolianskyi
Kozo-poljanskyi's Thoroughwax
134 Bupleurum schistosum
Divided Thoroughwax
135 Bupleurum wittmannii
Wittm ann's Thoroughwax
+
136 Callothlaspi abchasicum
Abkhazian Callothlaspi
+
137 Campanula aghrica
Aghrian Bellflower
138 Campanula autraniana
Autran's Cam panula
+
139 Campanula choruhensis
Choruhian Bellflower
+
140 Campanula dzyschrica
Dzyshrian Cam panula
+
+
141 Campanula engurensis
Engurian Bellflower
+
+
+
142 Campanula fonderwisii
Bellflower
+
+
+
143 Campanula kachethica
Kakhetian Bellflower
+
+
144 Campanula kantschavelii
Kanchaveli's Bellflower
+
+
145 Campanula kolakovskyi
Kolakovskiy's Bellflower
+
+
146 Campanula lazica
Lazian Cam panula
147 Campanula massalskyi
Massalsky's Cam panula
148 Campanula pontica
Pontic Cam panula
149 Campanula seraglio
Serail Bellflower
150 Campanula songutica
Songutian Cam panula
151 Campanula suanetica
Svanetian Bellflower
152 Campanula troegerae
Bellflower
153 Carum grossheimii
Grossheim 's Caraway
122
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
2020 EDITION
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Tu rke y
+
Russia
Azerbaijan
+
Iran
Armenia
Critically
En d an ge re d
Common Name
En d an ge re d
Scientific Name
Vulnerable
#
Ge o rgia
Distribution by
Countries
IU CN Cate go ry
2019
Local, Country
or Regional
Endemics
TH E IU CN GLOBALLY TH REATEN ED SPECIES IN THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION (2019)
154 Carum komarovii
Kom arov's Caraway
155 Centaurea caroli-henrici
Karl-Henrikh's Centaury
156 Centaurea daralagoezica
Daralagezian Tom anthea
157 Centaurea demirizii
Dem iriz's Centaury
+
+
+
158 Centaurea drabifolioides
Whitlow-grass-leaved Centaury
+
+
+
159 Centaurea hajastana
Hayastanian Centaury
160 Centaurea leptophylla
Thin-leaved Centaury
161 Centaurea rhizocalathium
Root-headed Centaury
162 Centaurea tamanianiae
Tam anyan's Centaury
+
+
+
163 Centaurea vavilovii
Vavilov's Centaury
+
+
+
164 Centaurea woronowii
Woronow's Centaury
165 Cephalaria anatolica
Anatolian Cephalaria
166 Cerastium svanicum
Svanetian Chickweed
167 Chaerophyllum karsianum
Karsian Chervil
+
+
+
168 Chaerophyllum posofianum
Posofian Chervil
+
+
+
169 Cirsium albowianum
Albov's Thistle
+
170 Cirsium czerkessicum
Cherkessian Thistle
+
171 Cirsium davisianum
Davis' Thistle
+
+
+
172 Cirsium eliasianum
Thistle
+
+
+
173 Cirsium oblongifolium
Oblong-leaved Thistle
+
174 Cirsium trachylepis
Rough-scaly Thistle
+
175 Colchicum greuteri
Greuter's Colchicum
+
176 Colchicum leptanthum
Thin-flowered Colchicum
+
177 Colchicum mirzoevae
Mirzoeva's Merendera
+
178 Convolvulus ruprechtii
Ruprecht's Bindweed
+
179 Corydalis tarkiensis
Tarkian Corydalis
+
180 Corylus colchica
Colchian Hazel
+
181 Cousinia araxena
Araxian Cousinia
+
+
+
+
182 Cousinia gabrieljaniae
Gabrielyan's Cousinia
+
+
+
+
183 Cousinia iljinii
Ilyin's Cousinia
+
+
+
+
184 Cousinia lomakinii
Lom akin's Cousinia
+
+
+
+
185 Cousinia takhtajanii
Takhtadjan's Cousinia
+
+
186 Cousinia woronowii
Voronov's Cousinia
187 Crambe armena
Armenian Sea-kale
188 Crataegus turcicus
Turkish Hawthorn
189 Crocus aerius
Aerial Crocus
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
123
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
Tu rke y
Russia
Iran
Ge o rgia
Armenia
Critically
En d an ge re d
Common Name
En d an ge re d
Scientific Name
Vulnerable
#
Azerbaijan
Distribution by
Countries
IU CN Cate go ry
2019
Local, Country
or Regional
Endemics
TH E IU CN GLOBALLY TH REATEN ED SPECIES IN THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION (2019)
190 Cryptotaenia flahaultii
Flahault's Cryptotaenia
+
+
+
191 Cynoglossum imeretinum
Imeretian Hound's-tongue
+
+
+
192 Delphinium iris
Larkspur
+
+
+
193 Delphinium munzianum
Larskpur
+
+
+
194 Dianthus charadzeae
Kharadze's Pink
+
195 Dianthus grossheimii
Grossheim 's Pink
+
196 Dianthus kubanensis
Kubanian Poppy
+
197 Draba meskhetica
Meskhetian Whitelow Grass
+
198 Draba narmanensis
Narmanian Whitlow-grass
199 Dryopteris liliana
Buckler Fern
200 Dryopteris raddeana
Radde's Buckler Fern
201 Echinops foliosus
Polyphyllous Globe Thistle
202 Echinops sintenisii
Sintensi's Globe Thistle
+
203 Erigeron schalbusi
Shalbusian Fleabane
+
204 Erodium hendrikii
Heron's Bill
+
205 Erodium sosnowskianum
Sosonovskiy's Heron's-bill
+
206 Erysimum caspicum
Caspian Treacle Mustard
+
207 Erysimum contractum
Constricted Treacle Mustard
+
208 Erysimum deflexum
Bent Treacle Mustard
209 Erysimum leptocarpum
Thin-fruited Tracle Mustard
+
210 Erysimum wagifii
Treacle Mustard
+
211 Euphorbia aristata
Bearded Spurge
+
212 Euphorbia grossheimii
Grossheim 's Spurge
+
213 Ferula caucasica
Caucasian Giant Fennel
214 Ferula mervynii
Mervyn's Giant Fennel
215 Festuca pontica
Pontic Fescue
216 Festuca xenophontis
Fescue
217 Fritillaria grandiflora
Big-flowered Fritillary
218 Galanthus koenenianus
Koenen's Snowdrop
+
219 Gladiolus hajastanicus
Armenian Sword-lily
+
220 Gypsophila robusta
Robust Chalk Plant
+
221 Gypsophila steupii
Steup's Chalk Plant
222 Gypsophila szovitsii
Szovits' Gypsophila
223
Helianthemum
dagestanicum
224 Helichrysum artvinense
124
Dagestanian Sun Rose
Artvinian Everlasting
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
2020 EDITION
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Tu rke y
Russia
Iran
Ge o rgia
Armenia
Critically
En d an ge re d
Common Name
En d an ge re d
Scientific Name
Vulnerable
#
Azerbaijan
Distribution by
Countries
IU CN Cate go ry
2019
Local, Country
or Regional
Endemics
TH E IU CN GLOBALLY TH REATEN ED SPECIES IN THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION (2019)
225 Heracleum egrissicum
Egrissian Cow-Parsnip
+
226 Hieracium adenobrachion
Glandular-branched Hawkweed
+
+
+
227 Hieracium caucasiense
Caucasian Hawkweed
+
+
+
228 Hornungia angustilimbata
Narrow-limbed Hornungia
+
+
+
229 Hypericum fissurale
Cracked Saint J ohn's Wort
+
230 Hypericum theodori
Theodor's Saint J ohn's Wort
231 Iris camillae
Kam illa's Iris
+
232 Iris spuria subsp. notha
Mim ic Iris
+
233 Iris timofejewii
Tim ofeev's Iris
+
234 Isatis karjaginii
Karyagin's Woad
+
235 Jacobaea buschiana
Busch's Groundsel
236 Jacobaea trapezuntina
Trapezuntian Groundsel
+
237 Jurinea akinfievii
Akinfiev's Jurinea
+
238 Jurinea alata
Winged J urinea
239 Jurinea bellidioides
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
English Daisy-like Jurinea
+
+
+
240 Jurinea brachypappa
Short-thistledowned Jurinea
+
+
+
241 Jurinea coronopifolia
Wart-cress-leaved Jurinea
+
+
+
242 Jurinea exuberans
Profuse J urinea
+
243 Jurinea galushkoi
Galushko's J urinea
+
+
+
244 Jurinea iljinii
Iljin's Jurinea
+
+
+
245 Jurinea praetermissa
Neglected J urinea
+
246 Jurinea sosnowskyi
Sosnovsky's J urinea
+
247 Jurinea woronowii
Voronov's J urinea
+
248 Kemulariella abchasica
Abkhazian Kem ulariella
+
249 Kemulariella colchica
Colchic Kem ulariella
+
250 Lamium tschorochense
Chorokhian Dead Nettle
251 Laserpitium affine
Sim ilar Laserwort
+
252 Lilium ciliatum
Ciliate Lily
+
253 Lotus armeniacus
Arm enian Bird's Foot Trefoil
254 Mandenovia komarovii
Kom arov's Mandenovia
255 Muehlbergella oweriniana
Owerin's Muchlenbergella
256 Myosotis daralaghezica
Daralagezian Forget-me-not
+
+
+
257 Nepeta alaghezi
Alaghezian Catm int
+
+
+
258 Noccaea sintenisii
Sintensis' Penny-cress
259 Nonea karsensis
Karsian Nonea
260 Omphalodes kusnetzovii
Kuznetsov's Navelwort
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
125
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
TH E IU CN GLOBALLY TH REATEN ED SPECIES IN THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION (2019)
Distribution by
Countries
Local, Country
or Regional
Endemics
+
+
+
263 Onosma obtusifolia
Am blyophyllous Goldendrop
+
+
264 Ornithogalum gabrielianiae
Gabrielyan's Starflowers
265 Ornithogalum hyrcanum
Hyrkanyan Starflowers
266 Papaver roseolum
Pinkish Poppy
267 Papaver talyshense
Talyshian Poppy
+
268 Pimpinella lazica
Lazian Burnet Saxifrage
+
269 Pimpinella schatilensis
Shatilian Anise
+
Podospermum
270
grigoraschvilii
Grigorashvili's Salsify
271 Podospermum grossheimii
Grossheim i's Salsify
+
272 Podospermum idae
Ida's Salsify
+
273 Podospermum schischkinii
Shishkin's Salsify
+
274 Polygala urartu
Urartuan Milkwort
+
275 Polygonum caspicum
Caspian Knotweed
276 Polylophium panjutinii
Panjutin's Polylophium
277 Potentilla seidlitziana
Zeidlits' Five-fingers
+
278 Psephellus adjaricus
Adjarian Psephellus
+
279 Psephellus appendicigerus
Appendage-bearing Centaury
280 Psephellus avaricus
Awarian Centaury
281 Psephellus boissieri
Boissier's Psephellus
+
282 Psephellus cronquistii
Cronquists's Cornflower
+
+
+
283 Psephellus debedicus
Debedian Cornflower
+
+
+
284 Psephellus erivanensis
Yerevanian Centaury
285 Psephellus galushkoi
Galushko's Psephellus
+
286 Psephellus geghamensis
Geghamian Cornflower
+
287 Psephellus gracillimus
Very slender Psephellus
288 Psephellus kolakovskyi
Kolakovsky's Psephellus
289 Psephellus manakyanii
Manakyan's Cornflower
+
290 Psephellus pecho
Centaury
+
291 Psephellus ruprechtii
Ruprecht's Centaury
+
292 Psephellus straminicephalus
Straw-colour-headed Psephellus
+
293 Psephellus taochius
Centaury
+
294 Psephellus troitzkyi
Troitsky's Psephellus
+
295 Psephellus zangezuri
Zangezurian Cornflower
+
126
Russia
Black-stem Goldendrop
Iran
262 Onosma nigricaulis
Ge o rgia
+
Azerbaijan
+
Armenia
+
Common Name
Critically
En d an ge re d
Curved Goldendrop
Scientific Name
En d an ge re d
261 Onosma arcuata
#
Vulnerable
Tu rke y
IU CN Cate go ry
2019
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
2020 EDITION
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Distribution by
Countries
+
+
+
+
+
+
Drooping Pear
+
+
302 Pyrus sosnovskyi
Sosnovsky's Pear
+
+
+
303 Pyrus tamamschianae
Tam am shyan's Pear
+
+
+
304 Pyrus theodorovii
Teodorov's Pear
+
+
+
305 Pyrus voronovii
Voronov's Pear
+
+
+
306 Ranunculus aragazi
Aragatsian Buttercup
+
+
+
307 Ranunculus tempskyanus
Buttercup
+
+
+
308 Ranunculus vermirrhizus
Worm-rooted Buttercup
+
+
+
309 Rhodothamnus sessilifolius
Sessile-leaved Rhodothamnus
+
+
+
310 Rosa dolichocarpa
Long-fruited Brier
+
311 Rosa sosnovskyana
Sosnovsky's Rose
312 Rosa zangezura
Zangezurian Rose
313 Rubus takhtadjanii
Takhtadjan's Blackberry
314 Rubus zangezurus
Zangezurian Blackberry
315 Sambucus tigranii
Tigran's elder
+
+
316 Sameraria glastifolia
Sam eraria
+
+
317 Saxifraga artvinensis
Artvinian Rockfoil
318 Scabiosa adzharica
Adjarian Scabious
319 Scorzonera czerepanovii
Czerepanov's Scorzonera
320 Scorzonera ketzkhovelii
Ketskhoveli's Salsify
321 Scorzonera kozlowskyi
Kozlovskiy's Salsify
322 Scorzonera safievii
Safiev's Salsify
323 Scrophularia capillaris
Capillary Figwort
324 Scrophularia olgae
Olga's Fig-wort
325 Scutellaria rhomboidalis
Rhom boid Skullcap
+
326 Sedum euxinum
Euxinian Stonecrop
+
327 Sempervivum charadzeae
Kharadze's Houseleek
+
328 Seseli cuneifolium
Wedge-leaved Meadow
Saxifrage
+
329 Seseli saxicolum
Saxicolous Seseli
+
+
330 Silene alpicola
Alpine Catchfly
+
+
Mixed Pear
298 Pyrus daralagezi
Daralagezian Pear
299 Pyrus gergerana
Gergeranian Pear
300 Pyrus hajastana
Hayastanyan Pear
301 Pyrus nutans
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Tu rke y
+
297 Pyrus complexa
Russia
+
Brovich's Pear
Iran
+
296 Pyrus browiczii
Ge o rgia
+
Common Name
Azerbaijan
Armenia
+
Scientific Name
En d an ge re d
+
#
Vulnerable
Critically
En d an ge re d
IU CN Cate go ry
2019
Local, Country
or Regional
Endemics
TH E IU CN GLOBALLY TH REATEN ED SPECIES IN THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION (2019)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
127
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
+
333 Sonchus araraticus
Araratian Sow-thistle
+
334 Sorbus roopiana
+
Tu rke y
Ispirian Catchfly
Russia
332 Silene ispirensis
Iran
Armenia
+
Azerbaijan
Critically
En d an ge re d
+
Common Name
En d an ge re d
Khustup Cam pion
Scientific Name
Vulnerable
331 Silene chustupica
#
Ge o rgia
Distribution by
Countries
IU CN Cate go ry
2019
+
+
+
+
Local, Country
or Regional
Endemics
TH E IU CN GLOBALLY TH REATEN ED SPECIES IN THE CAUCASUS ECOREGION (2019)
+
+
+
+
335 Stachys bayburtensis
Bayburt Woundwort
+
+
+
336 Stachys choruhensis
Choruh Woundwort
+
+
+
337 Stachys sosnowskyi
Sosnowsky's Woundwort
+
+
+
Sterigmostemum
acanthocarpum
Prickly-fruited
Sterigm ostem um
+
339 Stipa karjaginii
Karjagin's Feather-grass
+
340 Symphytum hajastanum
Hajastanian Comfrey
+
341 Symphytum podcumicum
Podkum ian Com frey
+
342 Symphytum savvalense
Savvalian Com frey
+
+
+
343 Tanacetum oxystegium
Sharp-stegium Tansy
+
+
+
344 Thesium maritimum
Coastal Bastard Toad-flax
345 Thlaspi zangezuricum
Zangezurian Pennycress
346 Thymus markhotensis
Markhotian Thym e
347 Tragopogon armeniacus
Arm enian Salsify
348 Tragopogon makaschwilii
Makashvilis's Goat's Beard
349 Tragopogon meskheticus
Meskhetian Goat's Beard
350 Tragopogon otschiaurii
Ochiauri's Goat's Beard
351 Trapa colchica
Colchis Water-Chestnut
352 Trapa maleevii
Maleev's Water-Chestnut
338
353 Trifolium bobrovii
Bobrov's Clover
354 Tripleurospermum fissurale
Fissural
Tripleurosperm um
355 Tulipa gumusanica
Gum ushanian Tulip
356 Verbascum decursivum
Decurrent Mullein
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
357 Verbascum transcaucasicum Transcaucasian Speedwell
+
+
+
358 Veronica allahuekberensis
Allahuekberian Speedwell
+
+
+
359 Veronica transcaucasica
Spicate Pseudolysim achion
360 Vicia erzurumica
Erzurum ian Vetch
+
+
+
361 Vicia quadrijuga
Quadrijugous Vetch
+
+
+
362 Zelkova carpinifolia
Caucasian Zelkova
Total
128
362
+
+
+
+
121
+
+
119
122
108 95
+
+
114
42
+
106
138
310
Annex 2: Key Biodiversity Areas with Associated Trigger Species
KBA #
KBA Name
FAUNA
FLORA
KBA
Are a
(ha)
Conservation
an d Bridgin g
Landscapes
(CLs and BLs)
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
47,670
Out of CL/ BL
Aggregations and
Geographically
Restricted Species (Birds)
RUSSIA (54 KBAs)
Tam anskiy
Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina, Branta ruficollis,
Falco cherrug, Otis tarda, Melanitta fusca,
Podiceps auritus, Rissa tridactyla, Streptopelia
turtur, Oxyura leucocephala, Puffinus yelkouan,
Vipera renardi, Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser
ruthenus, Cyprinus carpio
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
172,342
Kuma-Manych
3
Delta Kuban
Mustela lutreola, Anser erythropus, Aythya
ferina, Branta ruficollis, Falco cherrug, Otis
tarda, Oxyura leucocephala, Podiceps auritus,
Rissa tridactyla, Streptopelia turtur, Vipera
renardi, Huso huso, Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser
gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser nudiventris, Acipenser
ruthenus, Cyprinus carpio, Anguilla anguilla
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
239,503
Kuma-Manych
4
Krim sky
Mustela lutreola, Streptopelia turtur, Vipera
renardi
21,063
Kuma-Manych
5
Mustela lutreola, Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina,
Primorsko-Akhtarsk Branta ruficollis, Clangula hyemalis, Otis tarda,
Iris spuria subsp. notha
Salt Lakes
Oxyura leucocephala, Streptopelia turtur,Vipera
renardi, Cyprinus carpio
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
115,674
Kuma-Manych
6
Mustela lutreola,Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina,
Lower reaches of the Branta ruficollis, Otis tarda, Oxyura leucocephala,
Beisug and Chelbas Streptopelia turtur, Vipera renardi, Acipenser
Rivers
stellatus, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser
ruthenus, Cyprinus carpio, Anguilla anguilla
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
76,515
Kuma-Manych
7
Lower Ei
Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina, Branta ruficollis,
Otis tarda, Oxyura leucocephala, Streptopelia
turtur, Vipera renardi, Acipenser stellatus,
Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser ruthenus,
Cyprinus carpio, Anguilla anguilla
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
41,559
Kuma-Manych /
Outside of CL/ BL
8
Don Delta
Aythya ferina, Branta ruficollis, Podiceps auritus,
Rissa tridactyla, Streptopelia turtur, Huso huso,
Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii,
Cyprinus carpio, Anguilla anguilla, Alosa
immaculata
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
81,384
Kuma-Manych
9
Novoberezanskiy
Vormela peregusna, Otis tarda, Streptopelia
turtur, Vipera renardi
34,797
Outside of CL/ BL
1
2
Asphodeline tenuior,
Podospermum schischkinii,
Thymus markhotensis
129
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Abrausky Peninsula
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Anser erythropus, Aythya
ferina, Branta ruficollis, Neophron percnopterus,
Podiceps auritus, Puffinus yelkouan, Rissa
tridactyla, Streptopelia turtur, Testudo graeca,
Vipera renardi, Clupeonella abrau
2020 EDITION
The IUCN Globally Threatened Species (2019)
KBA #
KBA Name
FAUNA
FLORA
Aggregations and
Geographically
Restricted Species (Birds)
KBA
Are a
(ha)
Conservation
an d Bridgin g
Landscapes
(CLs and BLs)
13,756
Outside of CL/ BL
RUSSIA (54 KBAs)
10
Sredne-Labinskiy
Streptopelia turtur, Vipera renardi
11
Novotroitskiy
Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina, Branta ruficollis
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
7,258
Outside of CL/ BL
12
Veselovskoye
Reservoir
Vormela peregusna, Anser erythropus, Aquila
nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Aythya ferina, Branta
ruficollis, Clanga clanga, Falco cherrug, Otis
tarda, Oxyura leucocephala, Vipera renardi
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
183,853
Kuma-Manych
13
Manych-Gudilo
Lake
Vormela peregusna, Anser erythropus, Aythya
ferina, Branta ruficollis, Chlamydotis macqueenii,
Clangula hyemalis, Numenius tenuirostris,
Oxyura leucocephala, Otis tarda, Podiceps auritus,
Streptopelia turtur, Vanellus gregarius, Vipera
renardi
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
48,622
Kuma-Manych
14
Dadynskiye Lake
Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina, Branta ruficollis,
Otis tarda, Oxyura leucocephala
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
47,343
Kuma-Manych
15
Irgakliskaya Forest
Area
Vormela peregusna, Otis tarda
3,711
Outside of CL/ BL
16
Kizlyar Bay
Mustela lutreola, Anser erythropus, Aquila
nipalensis, Aythya ferina, Branta ruficollis,
Clangula hyemalis, Clanga clanga, Falco cherrug,
Oxyura leucocephala, Vipera renardi, Acipenser
gueldenstaedtii, Huso huso
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
76,143
Caspian
17
Tarum ovsky
Mustela lutreola, Otis tarda, Vipera renardi,
Acipenser nudiventris, Acipenser stellatus
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
73,898
Caspian
Argakhanskiy
Phoca caspica (Pusa caspica), Vormela peregusna,
Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina, Branta
ruficollis, Clanga clanga, Falco cherrug, Oxyura
leucocephala, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser
nudiventris, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser
stellatus, Huso huso
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
72,063
Caspian
19
YangiyurtovskiySulakskaya
Mustela lutreola, Vormela peregusna, Anser
erythropus, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila heliaca,
Branta ruficollis, Clanga clanga, Leucogeranus
leucogeranus, Melanitta fusca, Podiceps auritus,
Acipenser persicus, Acipenser nudiventris,
Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser stellatus
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations),
Tetrax tetrax (aggregations)
59,316
Caspian
20
Dagestanskiy
(Sarykum skiy
Barkhan)
Vormela peregusna, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila
heliaca, Clanga clanga, Falco cherrug, Neophron
percnopterus, Testudo graeca
416
Caspian
18
Corydalis tarkiensis, Thesium
maritimum
Falconiformes (aggregations)
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
130
The IUCN Globally Threatened Species (2019)
Melishtinskiy
Panthera pardus, Aquila heliaca, Testudo graeca
Convolvulus ruprechtii,
Helianthemum dagestanicum
20,476
Eastern Greater
Caucasus /
Outside of CL/ BL
22
KayakentskyDeshlagarsky
Aquila heliaca, Clanga clanga, Neophron
percnopterus, Testudo graeca
Astragalus cuscutae, Corydalis
tarkiensis
46,000
Eastern Greater
Caucasus /
Outside of CL/ BL
23
Papas (Adji) Lake
Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina, Clangula
hyemalis, Oxyura leucocephala, Podiceps auritus,
Testudo graeca, Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus
capito
Thesium maritimum
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
4,668
Caspian
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus
(restricted)
40,926
Eastern Greater
Caucasus /
Outside of CL/ BL
Waterfowl, Waders (aggregations)
22,143
Caspian
13,633
Caspian
38,203
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
Itsari
Capra aegagrus, Aquila heliaca, Neophron
percnopterus
25
Sam urskiy
Mustela lutreola, Nyctalus lasiopterus, Anser
erythropus, Aquila heliaca, Aythya ferina,
Branta ruficollis, Clanga clanga, Falco cherrug,
Leucogeranus leucogeranus, Marmaronetta
angustirostris, Melanitta fusca, N eophron
percnopterus, Numenius tenuirostris, Otis
tarda, Oxyura leucocephala, Podiceps auritus,
Streptopelia turtur, Testudo graeca, Huso huso,
Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser ruthenus, Acipenser
persicus, Acipenser nudiventris, Acipenser
gueldenstaedtii, Luciobarbus capito
26
Berkubinsky
Anser erythropus, Clanga clanga, Testudo
graeca, Huso huso, Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser
ruthenus, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser
nudiventris, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii
24
Thesium maritimum
Shalbuzdag
Panthera pardus, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila
heliaca, Clanga clanga, Neophron percnopterus,
Streptopelia turtur, Vipera dinniki
Erigeron schalbusi, Hypericum
theodori
28
Laman-Kam Area
Aquila heliaca, Clanga clanga, Neophron
percnopterus, Testudo graeca, Luciobarbus capito
Iris timofejewii
Falconiformes (aggregations)
17,266
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
Tlyaratinsky
Capra aegagrus, Panthera pardus, Aquila
nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Clanga clanga,
N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur,
Vipera dinniki
Barbarea grandiflora,
Mandenovia komarovii
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
65,640
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
29
131
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
27
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
2020 EDITION
21
KBA
Are a
(ha)
Conservation
an d Bridgin g
Landscapes
(CLs and BLs)
KBA #
KBA Name
FAUNA
Erigeron schalbusi, Mandenovia
komarovii
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
81,587
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
43,192
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
2,723
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
15,426
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
44,844
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
23,585
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
FLORA
RUSSIA (54 KBAs)
30
31
Kosobsko-Kelebsky
Capra aegagrus, Panthera pardus, Aquila
nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Clanga clanga,
N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur,
Vipera dinniki
Bezhtinskiy
Capra aegagrus, Panthera pardus, Sicista
caucasica, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila heliaca,
Clanga clanga, N eophron percnopterus,
Streptopelia turtur, Vipera dinniki
Barbarea grandiflora
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
32
Khunzakhskiy
Capra aegagrus, Panthera pardus, Aquila heliaca,
N eophron percnopterus
Convolvulus ruprechtii,
Muehlbergella oweriniana,
Helianthemum dagestanicum,
Iris timofejewii, Psephellus
boissieri
33
Kezenoi-Am (Lake
Eizenam ) Basin
Capra aegagrus, Neophron percnopterus, Salmo
ezenami
Psephellus boissieri
34
Erzi
Aquila nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Clanga clanga,
Falco cherrug, Neophron percnopterus, Vipera
dinniki
35
Ingushskiy
Aquila nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Neophron
percnopterus
Mandenovia komarovii
Severno-OsetinskyTseiskiy
Bison bonasus, Panthera pardus, Aquila
nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Clanga clanga, Falco
cherrug, Neophron percnopterus, Vipera dinniki
Campanula songutica, Jurinea
akinfievii, Jurinea brachypappa,
Jurinea bellidioides
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
132,553
Central Greater
Caucasus
Campanula songutica
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
56,158
Central Greater
Caucasus
36
37
Alania
Panthera pardus, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila
heliaca, Clanga clanga, Neophron percnopterus,
Vipera dinniki
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
132
Aggregations and
Geographically
Restricted Species (Birds)
The IUCN Globally Threatened Species (2019)
KabardinoBalkarskiy
Capra caucasica, Panthera pardus, Aquila
nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Vipera dinniki
Jurinea alata, Jurinea
coronopifolia, Jurinea galushkoi
80,515
Central Greater
Caucasus
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus) (restricted)
16,646
Central Greater
Caucasus
96,736
Central Greater
Caucasus /
Outside of CL/ BL
101,535
Central Greater
Caucasus
39
Kara-Su Sanctuary
Panthera pardus, N eophron percnopterus
Jurinea alata, Jurinea galushkoi
40
Baksan Gorge
Capra caucasica, Aquila heliaca, Neophron
percnopterus
Asphodeline tenuior, Jurinea
alata, Jurinea coronopifolia,
Jurinea sosnowskyi
Prielbrusie
Capra caucasica, Aquila heliaca, Vipera dinniki,
Darevskia alpina
Jurinea alata, Jurinea
coronopifolia
42
Gorge of the
Eshkakon and
Malka Rivers
Aquila heliaca, Neophron percnopterus, Falco
cherrug
Jurinea alata
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus) (restricted)
144,966
Western Greater
Caucasus /
Central Greater
Caucasus
Falconiformes (aggregations)
19,178
Central Greater
Caucasus
Falconiformes (aggregations)
40,851
Western Greater
Caucasus
75,197
Western Greater
Caucasus
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted),
Falconiformes (aggregations)
198,713
Western Greater
Caucasus
133
43
Surrounding of
Kislovodsk
Aquila heliaca, Falco cherrug, Neophron
percnopterus, Vipera renardi
Asphodeline tenuior, Hieracium
adenobrachion, Hieracium
caucasiense, Jurinea alata,
Genista angustifolia,
Symphytum podcumicum, Iris
spuria subsp. notha
44
Upstream s of
the Podkum ok and
Kum a Rivers
Aquila heliaca, Neophron percnopterus, Vipera
renardi
Iris spuria subsp. notha
45
Dautskiy
Capra caucasica, Panthera pardus, Aquila heliaca, Jurinea alata, Jurinea
Vipera dinniki, Darevskia alpina
coronopifolia
46
TeberdinksiMarukhskiy
Bison bonasus, Capra caucasica, Mustela lutreola,
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila
heliaca, Clanga clanga, Neophron percnopterus,
Vipera dinniki, Darevskia alpina
47
Upstream s of
the Urup River
Aquila heliaca, Neophron percnopterus
Phylloscopus nitidus (restricted)
97,824
Outside of CL/ BL
48
Akhmet-Skala Ridge
Panthera pardus, N eophron percnopterus,
Streptopelia turtur, Vipera renardi
Phylloscopus nitidus (restricted)
13,062
Outside of CL/ BL
Dianthus kubanensis, Jurinea
alata, Jurinea coronopifolia,
Jurinea woronowii, Psephellus
troitzkyi
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
41
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
2020 EDITION
38
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
KBA #
KBA Name
FAUNA
FLORA
Aggregations and
Geographically
Restricted Species (Birds)
KBA
Are a
(ha)
Conservation
an d Bridgin g
Landscapes
(CLs and BLs)
RUSSIA (54 KBAs)
49
Dam khurtskiy
Capra caucasica, Panthera pardus, N eophron
percnopterus, Vipera dinniki, Darevskia alpina
Phylloscopus nitidus (restricted)
30,050
Western Greater
Caucasus
50
Psebay
Panthera pardus, Aquila nipalensis, Neophron
percnopterus, Natrix megalocephala, Vipera
magnifica
Phylloscopus nitidus (restricted)
37,567
Western Greater
Caucasus
51
Gorge of the White
River
Aquila nipalensis, Neophron percnopterus, Natrix
megalocephala, Vipera kaznakovi
3,975
Outside of CL/ BL
52
Caucasian
Capra caucasica, Mustela lutreola, Nyctalus
lasiopterus, Panthera pardus, Sicista caucasica,
Aquila nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Aythya ferina,
Branta ruficollis, Clanga clanga, Neophron
percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur, Vipera
kaznakovi, Vipera dinniki, Natrix megalocephala,
Darevskia alpina, Vipera magnifica
313,333
Western Greater
Caucasus
53
Northern Black Sea
Region
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Anser erythropus, Aythya
ferina, Branta ruficollis, Neophron percnopterus,
Puffinus yelkouan, Rissa tridactyla, Streptopelia
turtur, Natrix megalocephala, Testudo graeca,
Vipera orlovi, Clupeonella abrau
293,945
Western Greater
Caucasus
Sochinsky
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Aythya ferina, Branta
ruficollis, Clanga clanga, Neophron percnopterus,
Otis tarda, Streptopelia turtur, Vipera kaznakovi,
Vipera dinniki, Testudo graeca, Natrix
megalocephala, Vipera orlovi, Darevskia alpina
236,146
Western Greater
Caucasus
54
Campanula autraniana,
Cirsium czerkessicum, Silene
alpicola, Genista angustifolia,
Hieracium adenobrachion,
Jurinea coronopifolia, Jurinea
sosnowskyi, Jacobaea buschiana
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Carpodacus rubicilla
(restricted)
Asphodeline tenuior, Campanula
autraniana, Thymus
markhotensis, Podospermum
Falconiformes (aggregations)
schischkinii
Campanula autraniana,
Campanula dzyschrica,
Cirsium czerkessicum,
Gypsophila steupii, Jurinea
iljinii, Kemulariella abchasica,
Kemulariella colchica, Silene
alpicola
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Carpodacus rubicilla
(restricted)
Total Area of KBAs in Russia - 3,886,146 ha
GEORGIA (60 KBAs)
55
Arabika
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Natrix megalocephala
Astrantia colchica, Corylus
colchica, Dianthus charadzeae,
Kemulariella abchasica,
Psephellus kolakovskyi
16,654
Western Greater
Caucasus
56
Ritsa
Capra caucasica, Mustela lutreola, Nyctalus
lasiopterus, Sicista caucasica, Vipera kaznakovi,
Natrix megalocephala
Campanula dzyschrica,
Campanula kolakovskyi,
Kemulariella abchasica
16,412
Western Greater
Caucasus
57
Bzipi
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Natrix megalocephala,
Vipera kaznakovi
Astragalus magnificus,
Asplenium hermannii-christii,
Kemulariella abchasica
4,244
Western Greater
Caucasus
Nyctalus lasiopterus
Campanula dzyschrica, Corylus
colchica, Carum grossheimii,
Omphalodes kusnetzovii,
Psephellus kolakovskyi
23,976
Western Greater
Caucasus
58
Range Bzipi
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
134
The IUCN Globally Threatened Species (2019)
Bichvinta-Miusera
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Testudo graeca
60
Pskhu-Gumista
Capra caucasica, Mustela lutreola, Nyctalus
lasiopterus, Sicista caucasica, Vipera kaznakovi
61
Abkhazia
Capra caucasica, Nyctalus lasiopterus, Sicista
caucasica, Vipera kaznakovi, Vipera dinniki,
Darevskia alpina, Testudo graeca
62
Svaneti (2)
Capra caucasica, Vipera dinniki
4,014
Western Greater
Caucasus
Campanula kolakovskyi,
Kemulariella abchasica
40,365
Western Greater
Caucasus
Cryptotaenia flahaultii, Seseli
saxicolum
36,161
Western Greater
Caucasus
30,958
Western Greater
Caucasus /
Central Greater
Caucasus
47,198
Western Greater
Caucasus /
Central Greater
Caucasus
136
Kolkheti
Carum grossheimii, Cirsium
albowianum
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
Range Kodori
Vipera dinniki
64
Lake Bebesiri
Natrix megalocephala
Trapa maleevii, Trapa colchica
Svaneti (1)
Capra caucasica, Nyctalus lasiopterus,
Aquila nipalensis, Clanga clanga, Neophron
percnopterus, Vipera dinniki
Barbamine ketzkhovelii, Carum
grossheimii, Campanula
engurensis, Cerastium svanicum,
Campanula suanetica, Seseli
saxicolum, Cirsium albowianum,
Kemulariella colchica, Jurinea
exuberans
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
224,680
Central Greater
Caucasus
Racha
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Aquila nipalensis, Clanga
clanga, Neophron percnopterus, Vipera
kaznakovi, Vipera dinniki
Carum grossheimii, Heracleum
egrissicum, Sempervivum
charadzeae, Jurinea exuberans
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
138,740
Central Greater
Caucasus
Capra caucasica, Nyctalus lasiopterus, Vipera
kaznakovi
Astrantia colchica, Betula
megrelica, Campanula
fonderwisii, Corylus colchica,
Polylophium panjutinii,
Heracleum egrissicum,
Kemulariella colchica, Dianthus
charadzeae, Seseli saxicolum
82,306
Central Greater
Caucasus
Astrantia colchica, Campanula
fonderwisii, Cirsium
oblongifolium, Kemulariella
colchica
5,023
Outside of CL/ BL
364
Outside of CL/ BL
65
66
67
Askhi Massif
135
68
Khvam li
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Vipera kaznakovi
69
Sataplia
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Rhinolophus mehelyi
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
63
Carum grossheimii, Corylus
colchica
2020 EDITION
59
KBA #
KBA Name
FAUNA
FLORA
Aggregations and
Geographically
Restricted Species (Birds)
KBA
Are a
(ha)
Conservation
an d Bridgin g
Landscapes
(CLs and BLs)
GEORGIA (60 KBAs)
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
Kolkheti (Aquatory)
Aythya ferina, Podiceps auritus, Puffinus
yelkouan, Rissa tridactyla, Acipenser sturio,
Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser
nudiventris, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Huso huso,
Alosa immaculata, Anguilla anguilla, Squalus
acanthias, Pomatomus saltatrix
Anas platyrhynchos, Anas crecca,
Podiceps cristatus, Phalacrocorax
carbo, Larus cachinnans, Larus
ridibundus (aggregations)
15,845
Kolkheti
Enguri River
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Huso huso, Acipenser
stellatus, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser
gueldenstaedtii, Alosa immaculata, Anguilla
anguilla, Cyprinus carpio, Pomatomus saltatrix
Anas platyrhynchos, Anas crecca,
Podiceps cristatus, Phalacrocorax
carbo, Larus cachinnans, Larus
ridibundus (aggregations)
24,684
Kolkheti
Khobi River
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Huso huso, Acipenser
persicus, Acipenser stellatus, Alosa immaculata,
Anguilla anguilla, Cyprinus carpio, Pomatomus
saltatrix, Astacus astacus
Anas platyrhynchos, Anas crecca,
Podiceps cristatus, Phalacrocorax
carbo, Larus cachinnans, Larus
ridibundus (aggregations)
3,853
Kolkheti
Kolkheti
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Anser erythropus, Aythya
ferina, Clanga clanga, Podiceps auritus, Oxyura
leucocephala, Streptopelia turtur, Vanellus gregarius,
Huso huso, Acipenser sturio, Acipenser stellatus,
Trapa colchica, Trapa maleevii
Acipenser persicus, Acipenser nudiventris, Acipenser
gueldenstaedtii, Alosa immaculata, Anguilla anguilla,
Cyprinus carpio, Pomatomus saltatrix, Astacus astacus
Anas platyrhynchos, Anas crecca,
Podiceps cristatus, Phalacrocorax
carbo, Larus cachinnans, Larus
ridibundus (aggregations)
52,246
Kolkheti
Rioni River
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina,
Clanga clanga, Podiceps auritus, Oxyura leucocephala,
Streptopelia turtur, Huso huso, Acipenser sturio,
Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser
nudiventris, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Alosa
immaculata, Anguilla anguilla, Cyprinus carpio,
Pomatomus saltatrix, Astacus astacus
Anas platyrhynchos, Anas crecca,
Podiceps cristatus, Phalacrocorax
carbo, Larus cachinnans, Larus
ridibundus (aggregations)
37,070
Kolkheti
Supsa River
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Alosa immaculata, Anguilla
anguilla, Cyprinus carpio, Astacus astacus
Anas platyrhynchos, Anas crecca,
Podiceps cristatus, Phalacrocorax
carbo, Larus cachinnans, Larus
ridibundus (aggregations)
2,013
Kolkheti
Batumi 1
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila
heliaca, Clanga clanga, Neophron percnopterus,
Falco cherrug, Streptopelia turtur, Darevskia
dryada, Vipera kaznakovi, Mertensiella caucasica
Pernis apivorus, Milvis migrans,
Clanga pomarina, Hieraaetus
pennatus, Circaetus gallicus, Circus
aeruginosus, Circus pygargus, Circus
macrourus (aggregations)
26,303
Western Lesser
Caucasus
Chorokhi-Sarpi
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Aythya ferina, Podiceps auritus,
Puffinus yelkouan, Vanellus gregarius, Rissa tridactyla,
Darevskia dryada, Vipera kaznakovi, Mertensiella
caucasica, Huso huso, Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser
persicus, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Anguilla anguilla,
Cyprinus carpio, Pomatomus saltatrix, Astacus astacus
Anas platyrhynchos, Anas crecca,
Podiceps cristatus, Phalacrocorax
carbo, Larus cachinnans, Larus
ridibundus, Pelecanus crispus
(aggregations)
4,711
Kolkheti
Dianthus charadzeae
Trapa colchica, Trapa maleevii
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
136
The IUCN Globally Threatened Species (2019)
78
Batumi 2
79
Machakhela
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Vipera kaznakovi,
Mertensiella caucasica, Anguilla anguilla,
Cyprinus carpio, Astacus astacus
Laserpitium affine
80
Shavsheti Range (2)
Vipera kaznakovi, Mertensiella caucasica
Angelica adzharica, Erysimum
contractum
81
Mtirala-Kintrishi
Rhinolophus mehelyi, Darevskia dryada, Vipera
kaznakovi, Mertensiella caucasica
Dryopteris liliana, Laserpitium
affine, Psephellus adjaricus,
Scabiosa adzharica
82
Bakhm aro
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Vipera kaznakovi,
Mertensiella caucasica
83
Goderdzi Pass
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Mertensiella caucasica
84
Western Lesser
Caucasus
25,863
Western Lesser
Caucasus
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus caspius
(restricted)
21,439
Western Lesser
Caucasus
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus caspius
(restricted)
29,213
Western Lesser
Caucasus
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus caspius
(restricted)
33,239
Western Lesser
Caucasus
Angelica adzharica, Campanula
pontica
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus caspius
(restricted)
26,954
Western Lesser
Caucasus
Shavsheti Range (1)
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Aquila heliaca, Aquila
Angelica adzharica, Campanula
nipalensis, Neophron percnopterus, Falco cherrug,
pontica, Scabiosa adzharica
Vipera kaznakovi, Mertensiella caucasica
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus caspius
(restricted)
55,498
Western Lesser
Caucasus
85
Borjomi-Kharagauli
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Aquila heliaca, Aquila
nipalensis, Neophron percnopterus, Falco cherrug, Centaurea woronowii,
Vipera kaznakovi, Mertensiella caucasica,
Cynoglossum imeretinum
Luciobarbus capito
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus caspius
(restricted)
147,259
Western Lesser
Caucasus
86
Nedzvi
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Mertensiella caucasica,
Luciobarbus capito
9,213
Western Lesser
Caucasus
87
Trialeti Range
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila
heliaca , Clanga clanga, N eophron percnopterus
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi) (restricted)
27,274
Western Lesser
Caucasus
88
Ktsia-Tabatskuri
Aquila nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Aythya ferina,
Clanga clanga, Melanitta fusca, N eophron
percnopterus, Oxyura leucocephala, Streptopelia
turtur, Vipera darevskii, Cyprinus carpio, Astacus
astacus
Larus armenicus, Grus grus
(restricted)
20,476
Western Lesser
Caucasus
89
Tetrobi
Vipera darevskii
Scorzonera ketzkhovelii,
Scorzonera kozlowskyi
3,089
Western Lesser
Caucasus
Meskheti
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Vormela peregusna,
Aquila heliaca, Clanga clanga, Aquila nipalensis,
Neophron percnopterus, Falco cherrug,
Streptopelia turtur, Vipera darevskii
Astragalus aspindzicus,
Astragalus vardziae, Draba
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
meskhetica, Echinops foliosus,
mlokosiewiczi) (restricted)
Podospermum idae, Tragopogon
meskheticus, Sambucus tigranii
82,239
South Caucasus
Uplands
90
Astragalus vardziae
137
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
10,337
2020 EDITION
Pernis apivorus, Milvis migrans,
Clanga pomarina, Hieraaetus
pennatus, Circaetus gallicus, Circus
aeruginosus, Circus pygargus, Circus
macrourus (aggregations)
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Aquila heliaca, Clanga
clanga, Aquila nipalensis, streptopelia turtur,
Darevskia dryada, Vipera kaznakovi, Mertensiella
caucasica
KBA #
KBA Name
FAUNA
FLORA
Aggregations and
Geographically
Restricted Species (Birds)
KBA
Are a
(ha)
Conservation
an d Bridgin g
Landscapes
(CLs and BLs)
Aythya nyroca, Crex crex, Tadorna
ferruginea, Pelecanus crispus,
Pelecanus onocrotalus (aggregations),
Larus armenicus, Grus grus
(restricted)
467
South Caucasus
Uplands
13,314
South Caucasus
Uplands
GEORGIA (60 KBAs)
91
Kartsakhi-Sulda
Mire
Vormela peregusna, Aythya ferina, Aquila heliaca,
Aquila nipalensis, Clanga clanga, Melanitta fusca,
Neophron percnopterus, Oxyura leucocephala,
Streptopelia turtur, Vipera eriwanensis, Cyprinus
carpio, Astacus astacus
92
J avakheti
Vormela peregusna, Vipera darevskii, Vipera
eriwanensis, Cyprinus carpio, Astacus astacus
Khanchali Lake
Vormela peregusna, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila
heliaca, Aythya ferina, Clanga clanga, Neophron
percnopterus, Melanitta fusca, Oxyura
leucocephala, Streptopelia turtur, Vanellus
gregarius
Anas platyrhynchos, Anas crecca,
Podiceps cristatus, Phalacrocorax
carbo (aggregations), Larus
armenicus, Grus grus (restricted)
727
South Caucasus
Uplands
Bugdasheni Lake
Vormela peregusna, Aythya ferina, Melanitta
fusca, Oxyura leucocephala, Aquila heliaca,
Clanga clanga, Aquila nipalensis, Neophron
percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur, Otis tarda,
Cyprinus carpio
Pelecanus crispus, Crex crex
(aggregations)
119
South Caucasus
Uplands
Madatapa Lake
Vormela peregusna, Aythya ferina, Melanitta
fusca, Oxyura leucocephala, Aquila heliaca,
Clanga clanga, Aquila nipalensis, Neophron
percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur, Otis tarda,
Vipera eriwanensis, Cyprinus carpio, Astacus
astacus
Aythya nyroca, Crex crex, Tadorna
ferruginea, Pelecanus crispus,
Pelecanus onocrotalus (aggregations),
Larus armenicus, Grus grus
(restricted)
1,398
South Caucasus
Uplands
Sagham o Lake
Vormela peregusna, Aquila nipalensis, Aythya
ferina, Clanga clanga, Melanitta fusca, Neophron
percnopterus, Falco cherrug, Streptopelia turtur,
Cyprinus carpio
Aythya nyroca, Crex crex, Tadorna
ferruginea, Pelecanus crispus,
Pelecanus onocrotalus (aggregations),
Larus armenicus, Grus grus
(restricted)
3,531
South Caucasus
Uplands
97
Paravani Lake
Vormela peregusna, Aquila nipalensis, Aythya
ferina, Clanga clanga, Melanitta fusca, Neophron
percnopterus, Falco cherrug, Streptopelia turtur,
Cyprinus carpio, Astacus astacus
Aythya nyroca, Crex crex, Tadorna
ferruginea, Pelecanus crispus,
Pelecanus onocrotalus (aggregations),
Larus armenicus, Grus grus
(restricted)
4,106
South Caucasus
Uplands
98
J avakheti Range
Vormela peregusna, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila
heliaca, Clanga clanga, Neophron percnopterus,
Vipera darevskii, Vipera eriwanensis
71,221
South Caucasus
Uplands
99
Bedeni
Nyctalus lasiopterus
13,977
Algeti-Loqi
Kvernaki Ridge
Aquila nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Clanga
clanga, Neophron percnopterus, Falco cherrug,
Streptopelia turtur, Testudo graeca, Cyprinus
carpio, Luciobarbus capito
21,117
Outside of CL/ BL
93
94
95
96
100
Tragopogon makaschwilii
Astragalus hirtulus
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
138
The IUCN Globally Threatened Species (2019)
Tbilisi National Park
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Aquila
heliaca, Neophron percnopterus, Testudo graeca
Echinops foliosus, Gypsophila
robusta
21,031
Trialeti-Gombori
105,765
Central Greater
Caucasus
Sicista kazbegica, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila
heliaca, Clanga clanga, Neophron percnopterus,
Falco cherrug, Streptopelia turtur, Vipera dinniki
Arabis kazbegi
Pshav-Khevsureti
Capra aegagrus, Nyctalus lasiopterus, Panthera
pardus, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Clanga
clanga, N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia
turtur, Vipera dinniki
Mandenovia komarovii,
Pimpinella schatilensis,
Podospermum grigoraschvilii,
Tragopogon otschiaurii
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
110,229
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
104
Tusheti
Capra aegagrus, Nyctalus lasiopterus, Panthera
pardus, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Clanga
clanga, N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia
turtur, Vipera dinniki
Podospermum grigoraschvilii,
Jurinea exuberans
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
113,618
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
105
Babaneuri
Rhinolophus mehelyi
Zelkova carpinifolia
834
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
Eastern Caucasus
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Aquila heliaca, Aquila
nipalensis, N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia
turtur, Testudo graeca, Vipera dinniki
Lyrurus m lokosiewiczi (Tetrao
m lokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
30,217
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
Lagodekhi
Capra aegagrus, Nyctalus lasiopterus,
Aquila heliaca, Aquila nipalensis, Neophron
percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur, Vipera dinniki
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
24,257
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
108
Alazani Valley
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Anser
erythropus, Aquila nipalensis, Aquila heliaca,
Aythya ferina, Clanga clanga, Marmaronetta
angustirostris, Otis tarda, Falco cherrug,
Streptopelia turtur, Vanellus gregarius, Testudo
graeca, Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus capito
Tetrax tetrax, Grus grus, Anthropoides
virgo (Grus virgo) (aggregations),
Phalacrocorax pygmeus (Microcarbo
pygmaeus), Falco naumanni
(restricted)
88,893
Iori-Mingachevir
109
Artsivi Gorge
98
Outside of CL/ BL
114,923
Iori-Mingachevir
102
103
106
107
110
ChachunaVashlovani
Campanula kachethica
139
Gazella subgutturosa, Nyctalus lasiopterus,
Rhinolophus mehelyi, Aquila heliaca, Anser
erythropus, Aquila nipalensis, Clanga clanga,
Falco cherrug, Neophron percnopterus, Testudo
graeca, Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus capito
Tetrax tetrax, Grus grus, Anthropoides
virgo (Grus virgo) (aggregations),
Phalacrocorax pygmeus (Microcarbo
pygmaeus), Falco naumanni
(restricted)
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Kazbegi
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus, Phylloscopus lorenzii
(Phylloscopus sindianus), Phylloscopus
nitidus, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus,
Carpodacus rubicilla (restricted)
2020 EDITION
101
KBA #
KBA Name
FAUNA
FLORA
Aggregations and
Geographically
Restricted Species (Birds)
KBA
Are a
(ha)
Conservation
an d Bridgin g
Landscapes
(CLs and BLs)
19,099
Iori-Mingachevir
40,026
Iori-Mingachevir
787
Iori-Mingachevir
3,734
Iori-Mingachevir
GEORGIA (60 KBAs)
111
112
113
114
Iori-Korugi
Aquila heliaca, Anser erythropus, Aquila
nipalensis, Clanga clanga, Neophron
percnopterus, Falco cherrug, Testudo graeca,
Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus capito
Iori Plateau
Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina, Aquila heliaca,
Aquila nipalensis, Neophron percnopterus,
Oxyura leucocephala, Falco cherrug, Streptopelia
turtur, Testudo graeca
Bupleurum wittmannii
Tetrax tetrax , Grus grus,
Anthropoides virgo (Grus virgo),
Pelecanus crispus (aggregations),
Phalacrocorax pygmeus (Microcarbo
pygmaeus), Falco naumanni
(restricted)
J andari Lake
Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina, Aquila heliaca,
Aquila nipalensis, Neophron percnopterus,
Oxyura leucocephala, Falco cherrug, Streptopelia
turtur, Testudo graeca, Cyprinus carpio,
Luciobarbus capito
Bupleurum wittmannii
Phalacrocorax pygmeus (Microcarbo
pygmaeus), Pelecanus crispus
(aggregations)
Gardabani
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Anser erythropus, Aquila
nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Aythya ferina, Clanga
clanga, Neophron percnopterus, Falco cherrug,
Streptopelia turtur, Testudo graeca, Cyprinus
carpio, Luciobarbus capito
Total Area of KBAs in Georgia - 2,133,542 ha
AZERBAIJAN (48 KBAs)
115
Garayazi
Aquila heliaca, Streptopelia turtur, Testudo
graeca, Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus capito,
Pseudophoxinus sojuchbulagi
116
J andar Lake
Aquila heliaca, Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina,
Falco cherrug, Testudo graeca, Cyprinus carpio
117
Agstapha
Aquila heliaca, Streptopelia turtur, Testudo
graeca, Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus capito
118
Sham kir
Vormela peregusna, Aythya ferina, Streptopelia
turtur, Testudo graeca
119
Shortepe
Vormela peregusna, Testudo graeca
120
Gyzilja
121
122
Bupleurum wittmanii, Iris
camillae
Milvus migrans (aggregation)
9,669
Iori-Mingachevir
633
Iori-Mingachevir
Milvus migrans (aggregation)
9,580
Iori-Mingachevir
Anas platyrynchos, Anas penelope
(Mareca penelope), Larus cachinnans,
Sterna hirundo (aggregation)
10,091
Iori-Mingachevir
Bupleurum wittmannii,
Gypsophila szovitsii
Hirundo rustica, Delichon urbicum
(aggregations)
12,376
Outside of CL/ BL
Neophron percnopterus, Testudo graeca,
Darevskia rostombekowi
Carum komarovii
Hirundo rustica, Delichon urbicum
(aggregations)
5,140
Outside of CL/ BL
Goy-Gol
N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur,
Aythya ferina, Darevskia rostombekowi
Gypsophila szovitsii
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus caspius
(restricted)
26,130
Outside of CL/ BL
Lachin
Capra aegagrus, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Neophron
percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur, Darevskia
rostombekowi
Tetraogallus caspius (restricted)
20,081
Outside of CL/ BL
Anas platyrynchos, Anas penelope
(Mareca penelope) (aggregations)
Bupleurum wittmanii, Iris
camillae
Trifolium bobrovii
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
140
The IUCN Globally Threatened Species (2019)
Gubadli
20,117
Outside of CL/ BL
124
Dashalty
Rhinolophus mehelyi
125
Orta Kur Akhm azy
Vormela peregusna, Aquila heliaca, Streptopelia
turtur, Testudo graeca
Gypsophila robusta, Gypsophila
szovitsii
1,572
Outside of CL/ BL
27,642
Caspian
126
Turyanchay
Vormela peregusna, Aquila heliaca, Aquila
nipalensis, N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia
turtur
Ferula caucasica, Gypsophila
robusta
23,092
Iori-Mingachevir
127
Korchay
Gazella subgutturosa, Rhinolophus mehelyi,
Vormela peregusna, Aquila nipalensis, Falco
cherrug, Neophron percnopterus, Testudo graeca
19,917
Iori-Mingachevir
128
Gazella subgutturosa, Rhinolophus mehelyi,
Vormela peregusna, Aquila heliaca, Anser
Qabirri-Mingachevir erythropus, Streptopelia turtur, Aythya ferina,
Falco cherrug , Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus
brachycephalus, Luciobarbus capito
129
Ajinohur
Gazella subgutturosa, Vormela peregusna, Aquila
nipalensis, Falco cherrug, Neophron percnopterus, Ferula caucasica
Testudo graeca
28,155
Iori-Mingachevir
130
Ilisu (AkharBakhar)
Gazella subgutturosa, Panthera pardus, Vormela
peregusna, Aquila heliaca, Falco cherrug,
N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur
5,106
Iori-Mingachevir
131
Sheki
N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur,
Testudo graeca, Cyprinus carpio, Pseudophoxinus
atropatenus
10,387
Outside of CL/ BL
132
Ganikh Valley
Vormela peregusna, Aquila heliaca, Streptopelia
turtur, Testudo graeca, Cyprinus carpio,
Luciobarbus brachycephalus, Luciobarbus capito
35,832
Iori-Mingachevir
133
Zagatala
Streptopelia turtur, Testudo graeca
Phylloscopus sindianus (Phylloscopus
lorenzii), Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi
(Tetrao mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus (restricted)
54,350
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
Phylloscopus sindianus (Phylloscopus
lorenzii), Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi
(Tetrao mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus (restricted)
23,949
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
2020 EDITION
Rhinolophus mehelyi, Neophron percnopterus,
Testudo graeca, Darevskia rostombekowi
123
Ferula caucasica
Tetrax tetrax, Phoenicopterus roseus,
Glareola pratincola (agregations)
Ilisu-Gakh
Streptopelia turtur, Testudo graeca
135
Shahdag
Rhinolophus mehelyi, Streptopelia turtur,
Neophron percnopterus, Aythya ferina,Testudo
graeca
Hypericum theodori
Phylloscopus sindianus (Phylloscopus
lorenzii), Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi
(Tetrao mlokosiewiczi) (restricted)
130,498
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
136
Shahdag Mountain (1)
Aquila heliaca, Neophron percnopterus, Aythya
ferina
Achnatherum roshevitzii,
Hypericum theodori
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus (restricted)
81,938
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
137
Shahdag Mountain (2)
Podiceps auritus
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Tetraogallus
caucasicus (restricted)
10,520
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
141
134
KBA #
KBA Name
FAUNA
FLORA
Aggregations and
Geographically
Restricted Species (Birds)
KBA
Are a
(ha)
Conservation
an d Bridgin g
Landscapes
(CLs and BLs)
88,481
Caspian
9,084
Caspian
AZERBAIJAN (48 KBAs)
138
Samur-YalamaGusar
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Phoca caspica (Pusa
caspica), Aquila heliaca, Aythya ferina,
Streptopelia turtur, Testudo graeca, Huso huso,
Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser ruthenus, Acipenser
persicus, Acipenser nudiventris, Acipenser
gueldenstaedtii, Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus
brachycephalus, Luciobarbus capito
Astragalus cuscutae, Thesium
maritimum
Anas platyrynchos, Anas penelope
(Mareca penelope), Anas clypeata
(Spatula clypeata), Aythya
fuligula, Fulica atra, Netta rufina,
Larus minutus (Hydrocoloeus
minutus), Himantopus himantopus,
Tringa totanus, Tringa ochropus,
Recurovestra aocetha, Calidris alba,
Calidris alpina, Larus argentatus
(aggregations)
139
Aghzibir Lakes
Phoca caspica (Pusa caspica), Aquila nipalensis,
Aythya ferina, Branta ruficollis, Falco cherrug,
Marmaronetta angustirostris, Melanitta fusca,
Numenius tenuirostris, Podiceps auritus,
Streptopelia turtur, Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus
brachycephalus, Luciobarbus capito
140
Altyaghach
Streptopelia turtur, Aquila heliaca, Testudo
graeca
Erysimum caspicum, Seseli
cuneifolium, Hypericum theodori
11,530
Eastern Greater
Caucasus
141
Garghabazar
and Gush-Gaya
Mountains
Aquila nipalensis, Falco cherrug, Neophron
percnopterus
Bilacunaria caspia
6,172
Outside of CL/ BL
142
Absheron
Archipelago and
Pirallahi Bay
Gazella subgutturosa, Phoca caspica (Pusa
caspica), Vormela peregusna, Aquila nipalensis,
Aythya ferina, Falco cherrug, Melanitta fusca,
Podiceps auritus, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii,
Acipenser persicus, Acipenser nudiventris,
Acipenser stellatus, Huso huso,Cyprinus carpio,
Luciobarbus brachycephalus, Luciobarbus capito
39,224
Caspian
143
Gyrm yzygol Lake
Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina, Oxyura
leucocephala, Phrynocephalus persicus
813
Caspian
144
Factory Shelf
Aythya ferina
3,783
Caspian
145
Gobustan
Vormela peregusna, Aquila nipalensis, Neophron
percnopterus, Testudo graeca
Astragalus maraziensis,
Astragalus albanicus, Astragalus
cuscutae
4,315
Outside of CL/ BL
Alat Bay-Baku
Archipelago (1)
Aquila nipalensis, Aythya ferina, Falco cherrug,
Oxyura leucocephala, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii,
Acipenser persicus, Acipenser nudiventris,
Acipenser stellatus, Huso huso, Cyprinus carpio,
Luciobarbus brachycephalus, Luciobarbus capito
Astragalus igniarius, Astragalus
maraziensis
7,457
Caspian
146
Astragalus albanicus,
Bilacunaria caspia
Astragalus igniarius,
Bilacunaria caspia, Polygonum
caspicum
Cygnus olor, Podiceps cristatus, Larus
ridibundus, Larus cachinnans, Anas
platyrhynchos, Anas penelope (Mareca
penelope), Aythya fuligula, Fulica
atra, Phalacrocorax carbo, Microcarbo
pygmaeus (Phalacrocorax pygmeus)
(aggregations)
Netta rufina, Microcarbo pygmaeus
(Phalacrocorax pygmeus)
(aggregations)
Cygnus olor, Larus melanocephalus,
Glareola pratincola, Netta rufina
(aggregations)
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
142
The IUCN Globally Threatened Species (2019)
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Phoca caspica (Pusa
caspica), Oxyura leucocephala
Cygnus olor, Larus melanocephalus,
Glareola pratincola, Netta rufina
(aggregations)
46
Caspian
148
Alat Bay-Baku
Archipelago (3)
Gazella subgutturosa, Nyctalus lasiopterus, Phoca
caspica (Pusa caspica), Oxyura leucocephala
Cygnus olor, Larus melanocephalus,
Glareola pratincola, Netta rufina
(aggregations)
311
Caspian
Alat Bay-Baku
Archipelago (4)
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Phoca caspica (Pusa
caspica), Oxyura leucocephala, Acipenser
gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser
nudiventris, Acipenser stellatus, Huso huso,
Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus brachycephalus,
Luciobarbus capito
Cygnus olor, Larus melanocephalus,
Glareola pratincola, Netta rufina
(aggregations)
59
Caspian
150
Alat Bay-Baku
Archipelago (5)
Gazella subgutturosa, Phoca caspica (Pusa
caspica), Oxyura leucocephala, Acipenser
gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser
nudiventris, Acipenser stellatus, Huso huso,
Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus brachycephalus,
Luciobarbus capito
Cygnus olor, Larus melanocephalus,
Glareola pratincola, Netta rufina
(aggregations)
1,451
Caspian
151
Alat Bay-Baku
Archipelago (6)
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Phoca caspica (Pusa
caspica), Oxyura leucocephala
Cygnus olor, Larus melanocephalus,
Glareola pratincola, Netta rufina
(aggregations)
44
Caspian
Shirvan
Gazella subgutturosa, Vormela peregusna, Aquila
heliaca, Aquila nipalensis, Aythya ferina, Anser
erythropus, Marmaronetta angustirostris, Falco
cherrug, Podiceps auritus, Streptopelia turtur,
Testudo graeca
Tetrax tetrax, Anas platyrynchos,
Anas penelope (Mareca penelope),
Phoenicopterus roseus, Anser anser,
Fulica atra (aggregations)
65,557
Caspian
Kura Delta
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Phoca caspica (Pusa
caspica), Aythya ferina, Falco cherrug, Numenius
tenuirostris, Podiceps auritus, Huso huso,
Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser ruthenus, Acipenser
persicus, Acipenser nudiventris, Acipenser
gueldenstaedtii
Pelecanus crispus, Microcarbo
pygmanus, Ardea purpurea, Platalea
leucorodia, Nycticorax nycticorax
(aggregations)
14,174
Caspian
Gizilaghach
Phoca caspica (Pusa caspica), Anser erythropus,
Aquila nipalensis, Aythya ferina, Branta ruficollis,
Clangula hyemalis, Falco cherrug, Leucogeranus
leucogeranus, Marmaronetta angustirostris,
Melanitta fusca, Otis tarda, Podiceps auritus,
Testudo graeca, Huso huso, Acipenser stellatus,
Acipenser ruthenus, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser
nudiventris, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Cyprinus
carpio, Luciobarbus brachycephalus, Luciobarbus
capito
Anas platyrynchos, Anas penelope
(Mareca penelope), Anas clypeata
(Spatula clypeata), Aythya
fuligula, Fulica atra, Netta rufina,
Phoenicopterus roseus, Anser anser,
Larus minutus (Hydrocoloeus
minutus), Himantopus himantopus,
Tringa totanus, Tringa ochropus,
Tringa glareola, Recurovestra
aocetha, Calidris alba, Calidris alpina,
Larus argentatus, Phalaropus lobatus
(aggregations)
99,279
Caspian
Hyrkan Forests
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Panthera pardus, Testudo
graeca, Bufo eichwaldi, Cyprinus carpio,
Luciobarbus brachycephalus, Luciobarbus capito
160,340
Hyrcan
149
152
153
154
143
155
Gypsophila szovitsii
Dryopteris raddeana, Fritillaria
grandiflora, Ornithogalum
hyrcanum, Papaver talyshense,
Zelkova carpinifolia
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Alat Bay-Baku
Archipelago (2)
2020 EDITION
147
KBA #
KBA Name
FAUNA
FLORA
KBA
Are a
(ha)
Conservation
an d Bridgin g
Landscapes
(CLs and BLs)
14,555
Hyrcan
11,125
Outside of CL/ BL
12,518
Caspian
Tetrax tetrax (aggregations)
61,843
Caspian
Tetrax tetrax (aggregations),
Tetraogallus caspius (restricted)
174,956
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
Aggregations and
Geographically
Restricted Species (Birds)
AZERBAIJAN (48 KBAs)
156
Zuvand
Panthera pardus, N eophron percnopterus,
Streptopelia turtur, Testudo graeca,
Phrynocephalus persicus, Vipera ebneri
157
Mahmud-Chala
Lake
Vormela peregusna, Anser erythropus,
Aythya ferina, Falco cherrug, Marmaronetta
angustirostris, Oxyura leucocephala, Cyprinus
carpio
Araz-Bahramtepe
Leucogeranus leucogeranus, Acipenser
gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser
nudiventris, Acipenser stellatus, Huso huso,
Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus brachycephalus,
Luciobarbus capito
Ag-Gol-Sarisu
Gazella subgutturosa, Vormela peregusna,
Anser erythropus, Aythya ferina, Falco cherrug,
Marmaronetta angustirostris, Melanitta fusca,
Streptopelia turtur, Oxyura leucocephala,
Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus capito
158
159
Centaurea daralagoezica,
Psephellus erivanensis,
Fritillaria grandiflora, Papaver
talyshense, Podospermum
grossheimii
Tetrax tetrax, Anas platyrynchos,
Anas penelope (Mareca penelope),
Phoenicopterus roseus, Anser anser,
Fulica atra (aggregations)
Anabasis eugeniae, Astragalus
schachbuzensis, Astragalus
igniarius, Centaurea
daralogoezica, Carum
komarovii, Cousinia araxena,
Cousinia gabrieljaniae, Cousinia
iljinii, Cousinia lomakinii,
Crambe armena, Erysimum
wagifii, Euphorbia grossheimii,
Pyrus nutans, Sameraria
glastifolia, Sterigmostemum
acanthocarpum, Rosa
sosnovskyna, Rosa zangezura,
Gypsophila szovitsii, Isatis
karjaginii, Scorzonera
czerepanovii, Stipa karjaginii,
Scutellaria rhomboidalis
160
Capra aegagrus, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Panthera
pardus, Ovis orientalis, Vormela peregusna,
Aquila heliaca, Aquila nipalensis, Aythya
Zangezur-Darasham ferina, Falco cherrug, Neophron percnopterus,
Streptopelia turtur, Eremias pleskei,
Phrynocephalus horvathi, Testudo graeca, Vipera
eriwanensis
161
Aras Reservoir
Aythya ferina, Anser erythropus, Testudo graeca,
Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus capito
Sameraria glastifolia
9,841
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
Sadarak
Vormela peregusna, Capra aegagrus, Ovis
orientalis, Falco cherrug, Neophron percnopterus,
Streptopelia turtur, Vipera eriwanensis
Crambe armena, Centaurea
daralagoezica, Papaver
roseolum, Rosa sosnovskyana,
Scutellaria rhomboidalis, Stipa
karjaginii
69,520
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
162
Total Area of KBAs in Azerbaijan - 1,584,584 ha
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
144
The IUCN Globally Threatened Species (2019)
Lake Arpi
Vormela peregusna, Aquila heliaca, Aquila
nipalensis, Aythya ferina, Clanga clanga,
Falco cherrug, Neophron percnopterus, Vipera
darevskii, Cyprinus carpio
Larus armenicus, Circus pygargus,
Pelecanus onocrotalus (aggregations)
35,239
South Caucasus
Uplands
164
Mount Achkasar
Vormela peregusna, Aquila heliaca, Aquila
nipalensis, Clanga clanga, Vipera darevskii
Gallinago media, Larus armenicus,
Circus macrourus, Tetrax tetrax
(aggregations)
8,470
South Caucasus
Uplands
165
Tashir
Aquila nipalensis, Aythya ferina, Neophron
percnopterus, Vipera eriwanensis
Astragalus shagalensis
Gallinago media, Circus macrourus,
Clanga pomarina, Anthropoides virgo
(Grus virgo) (aggregations)
15,037
South Caucasus
Uplands
166
Jajur
Vormela peregusna, Aquila heliaca, Aquila
nipalensis, Clanga clanga, Falco cherrug,
N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur
Allium struzlianum, Centaurea
tamanianiae, Tragopogon
armeniacus
Phylloscopus sindianus (Phylloscopus
lorenzii) (restricted)
6,279
Outside of CL/ BL
Akhuryan Reservoir
Vormela peregusna, Aquila nipalensis, Clanga
clanga, Neophron percnopterus, Otis tarda,
Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus capito
Astragalus shagalensis,
Centaurea hajastana,
Tragopogon armeniacus,
Sambucus tigranii
Tetrax tetrax (aggregations)
6,244
Outside of CL/ BL
Arm avir
Meriones dahli, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Vormela
peregusna, Aythya ferina, Clanga clanga, Falco
cherrug, Marmaronetta angustirostris, Neophron
percnopterus, Otis tarda, Streptopelia turtur,
Phrynocephalus horvathi, Testudo graeca,
Eremias pleskei, Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus
capito
Alcea grossheimii, Campanula
massalskyi, Centaurea
hajastana, Colchicum greuteri,
Papaver roseolum, Scorzonera
safievii
Gallinago media, Limosa limosa,
Calidris ferruginea, Larus armenicus,
Circus macrourus, Pelecanus crispus,
Tetrax tetrax, Pernis apivorus, Milvus
milvus, Buteo buteo (aggregations)
66,120
Outside of CL/ BL
Aragats
Vormela peregusna, Aquila heliaca, Aquila
nipalensis, Clanga clanga, Neophron
percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur, Vipera
eriwanensis
Erodium sosnowskianum,
Nepeta alaghezi, Ornithogalum
gabrielianiae, Potentilla
seidlitziana, Ranunculus
aragazi, Gladiolus hajastanicus
Prunella ocularis (restricted)
27,153
Outside of CL/ BL
Mount Ara
Aquila nipalensis, Clanga clanga, Vipera
eriwanensis
Alcea grossheimii, Rosa
sosnovskyana, Myosotis
daralaghezica, Polygala urartu,
Sambucus tigranii
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi) (restricted)
3,705
Outside of CL/ BL
Nyctalus lasiopterus, Sicista armenica, Aquila
heliaca, Aquila nipalensis, Falco cherrug,
N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur,
Darevskia rostombekowi, Testudo graeca, Vipera
eriwanensis
Astragalus shagalensis,
Rosa sosnovskyana, Rubus
zangezurus, Bupleurum
kosopolianskyi, Colchicum
mirzoevae, Jurinea
praetermissa, Psephellus
cronquistii, Psephellus
debedicus, Psephellus
manakyanii, Scrophularia
olgae, Symphytum hajastanum,
Veronica transcaucasica,
Sambucus tigranii
Gallinago media, Circus macrourus,
Gyps fulvus (aggregations), Lyrurus
mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao mlokosiewiczi)
(restricted)
273,244
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
167
168
169
170
171
Northeast
145
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
163
2020 EDITION
ARMENIA (22 KBAs)
KBA #
KBA Name
FAUNA
FLORA
Aggregations and
Geographically
Restricted Species (Birds)
KBA
Are a
(ha)
Conservation
an d Bridgin g
Landscapes
(CLs and BLs)
25,626
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
146,346
Outside of CL/ BL
ARMENIA (22 KBAs)
172
173
Sevan Ridge
Capra aegagrus, Myotis hajastanicus, Vormela
peregusna, N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia
turtur, Vipera eriwanensis
Scrophularia olgae, Sorbus
roopiana
Lake Sevan
Myotis hajastanicus, Aquila heliaca, Aquila
nipalensis, Aythya ferina, Clanga clanga, Falco
cherrug, Marmaronetta angustirostris, Neophron
percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur, Darevskia
rostombekowi, Vipera eriwanensis, Salmo ischchan
Rosa sosnovskyana, Papaver
roseolum, Polygala urartu,
Sorbus roopiana, Scrophularia
olgae
Allium struzlianum, Allochrusa
takhtajanii, Amblyopyrum
muticum, Astragalus
holophyllus, Bufonia takhtajanii,
Bupleurum kosopolianskyi,
Centaurea daralagoezica,
Centaurea rhizocalathium,
Centaurea vavilovii,
Crambe armena, Erodium
sosnowskianum, Euphorbia
grossheimii, Gladiolus
hajastanicus, Gypsophila
szovitsii, Isatis karjaginii,
Myosotis daralaghezica,
Pyrus complexa, Pyrus
hajastana, Pyrus sosnovskyi,
Pyrus tamamschianae,
Pyrus theodorovii, Rosa
sosnovskyana, Rosa zangezura,
Polygala urartu, Potentilla
seidlitziana, Psephellus
erivanensis, Psephellus
geghamensis, Sterigmostemum
acanthocarpum, Symphytum
hajastanum
Psephellus erivanensis
Aythya nyroca, Limosa limosa,
Microcarbo pygmaeus (aggregations)
618
Outside of CL/ BL
Aythya nyroca, Limosa limosa,
Limosa lapponica, Numenius arquata,
Calidris ferruginea, Pelecanus crispus,
Pelecanus onocrotalus, Anthropoides
virgo (Grus virgo),
Microcarbo pygmaeus (Phalacrocorax
pygmeus) (aggregations)
7,750
Outside of CL/ BL
400
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
174
Khosrov Forest
Capra aegagrus, Meriones dahli, Ovis orientalis,
Panthera pardus, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Vormela
peregusna, Aquila heliaca, Aquila nipalensis,
Clanga clanga, N eophron percnopterus,
Streptopelia turtur, Vipera eriwanensis, Testudo
graeca, Eremias pleskei
175
Khor Virap
Meriones dahli, Aythya ferina, Marmaronetta
angustirostris
176
Arm ash Fish Ponds
Aythya ferina, Clanga clanga, Marmaronetta
angustirostris, Oxyura leucocephala, Cyprinus
carpio, Luciobarbus capito
Gypsophila szovitsii, Psephellus
erivanensis, Sterigmostemum
acanthocarpum, Sonchus
araraticus
177
Goravan Sands
Meriones dahli, Eremias pleskei, Phrynocephalus
horvathi, Testudo graeca
Gypsophila szovitsii, Psephellus
erivanensis
Larus armenicus, Limosa limosa,
Limosa lapponica, Anthropoides
virgo (Grus virgo) (aggregations),
Phylloscopus sindianus (Phylloscopus
lorenzii) (restricted)
78,042
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
146
The IUCN Globally Threatened Species (2019)
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
Dianthus grossheimii, Gladiolus
hajastanicus, Psephellus
geghamensis, Pyrus nutans,
Sorbus roopiana
27,876
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
29,493
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
Capra aegagrus, Myotis hajastanicus, Panthera
pardus, Aquila heliaca, Aquila nipalensis, Clanga
clanga, Falco cherrug, Neophron percnopterus,
Streptopelia turtur, Vipera eriwanensis
Alcea grossheimii, Centaurea
caroli-henrici, Centaurea
daralagoezica, Colchicum
mirzoevae, Gladiolus
hajastanicus, Pyrus browiczii,
Pyrus complexa, Pyrus
daralagezi, Pyrus gergerana,
Pyrus hajastana, Pyrus
nutans, Pyrus sosnovskyi, Rosa
sosnovskyana, Sambucus tigranii
76,287
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
Meghri
Capra aegagrus, Nyctalus lasiopterus, Ovis
orientalis, Panthera pardus, Rhinolophus
mehelyi, Vormela peregusna, Aquila heliaca,
Aquila nipalensis, Clanga clanga, Neophron
percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur, Eremias
pleskei, Vipera eriwanensis, Testudo graeca,
Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus capito
Carum komarovii, Centaurea
rhizocalathium, Cousinia
araxena, Cousinia iljinii, Cousinia
lomakinii, Cousinia takhtajanii,
Cousinia gabrieljaniae,
Erysimum wagifii, Psephellus
zangezuri, Pyrus complexa,
Pyrus daralagezi, Pyrus
hajastana, Pyrus nutans,
Poecile lugubris (restricted)
Pyrus sosnovskyi, Pyrus
tamamschianae, Pyrus voronovii,
Rosa zangezura, Rubus
takhtadjanii, Rubus zangezurus,
Sameraria glastifolia,
Scrophularia olgae, Silene
chustupica, Sterigmostemum
acanthocarpum, Sorbus
roopiana, Thlaspi zangezuricum
144,465
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
183
Tatev
Capra aegagrus, Panthera pardus, Aquila
nipalensis, Clanga clanga, Neophron
percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur
Centaurea rhizocalathium,
Cousinia takhtajanii, Gladiolus
hajastanicus, Isatis karjaginii,
Psephellus zangezuri,
Rosa zangezura, Veronica
transcaucasica
Circus macrourus, Circus pygargus,
Buteo buteo (aggregations)
27,182
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
184
Khndzoresk
Falco cherrug, Neophron percnopterus,
Streptopelia turtur
Astragalus bylowae, Psephellus
taochius
Circus macrourus, Pernis apivorus
(aggregations)
3,428
Eastern Lesser
Caucasus
Urts Range
179
Gndasar
Capra aegagrus, Panthera pardus, Vormela
peregusna, Aquila heliaca, Aquila nipalensis,
Clanga clanga, Neophron percnopterus, Vipera
eriwanensis
Arpa
Capra aegagrus, Ovis orientalis, Panthera pardus,
Vormela peregusna, Aquila nipalensis, Clanga
Centaurea tamanianiae,
Sameraria glastifolia,
clanga, N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia
turtur, Cyprinus carpio, Luciobarbus capito,
Pyrus complexa
Pyrus complexa
180
181
182
Jermuk-Eghegis
147
Total Area of KBAs in Armenia - 1,029,435 ha
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
20,432
178
2020 EDITION
Centaurea daralagoezica,
Centaurea vavilovii, Euphorbia
grossheimii, Myosotis
daralaghezica, Psephellus
erivanensis, Gypsophila szovitsii,
Isatis karjaginii
Capra aegagrus, Ovis orientalis, Panthera
pardus,Vormela peregusna, Aquila heliaca,
Aquila nipalensis, Clanga clanga, Neophron
percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur, Vipera
eriwanensis, Testudo graeca
KBA #
KBA Name
FAUNA
FLORA
Aggregations and
Geographically
Restricted Species (Birds)
KBA
Are a
(ha)
Conservation
an d Bridgin g
Landscapes
(CLs and BLs)
55,887
Western Lesser
Caucasus
TURKEY (32 KBAs)
185
Giresun and Ordu
Coast
Vormela peregusna, Darevskia clarkorum
186
Giresun Mountains
Mertensiella caucasica
Centaurea drabifolioides,
Cirsium trachylepis, Lilium
ciliatum
Phylloscopus nitidus (restricted)
134,115
Western Lesser
Caucasus
Capra aegagrus, Mertensiella caucasica
Campanula pontica, Centaurea
rhizocalathium, Cirsium
trachylepis, Crocus aerius,
Echinops sintenisii, Erysimum
deflexum, Festuca pontica,
Festuca xenophontis, Lilium
ciliatum, Tulipa gumusanica,
Pimpinella lazica
Phylloscopus nitidus (restricted)
91,675
Western Lesser
Caucasus
Mertensiella caucasica
Astragalus trabzonicus,
Bupleurum schistosum,
Erodium hendrikii, Galanthus
koenenianus
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Phylloscopus nitidus
(restricted)
45,845
Western Lesser
Caucasus
189
N eophron percnopterus, Mertensiella caucasica,
Ikizdere and Soganli
Ponticola rizensis, Ponticola turani, Lampetra
Mountain
lanceolata
Aethionema grandiflorum
var. sintenisii, Crocus aerius,
Lilium ciliatum, Ranunculus
tempskyanus, Sedum euxinum,
Noccaea sintenisii,Pimpinella
lazica, Psephellus
appendicigerus, Scrophularia
capillaris
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Phylloscopus sindianus
(Phylloscopus lorenzii), Phylloscopus
nitidus (restricted)
91,326
Western Lesser
Caucasus
190
Upper Chorukh
Valley
N eophron percnopterus, Ponticola rizensis,
Ponticola turani
Alyssum artvinense, Crocus
aerius, Erysimum leptocarpum,
Verbascum decursivum
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi) , Phylloscopus
sindianus (Phylloscopus lorenzii)
(restricted)
114,516
Western Lesser
Caucasus
Capra aegagrus, Darevskia clarkorum, Natrix
megalocephala, Vipera pontica, Mertensiella
caucasica, Ponticola rizensis, Ponticola turani
Campanula massalskyi,
Campanula lazica, Centaurea
drabifolioides, Cirsium
trachylepis, Dryopteris liliana,
Festuca pontica, Galanthus
koenenianus, Laserpitium affine,
N occaea sintenisii, Scrophularia
capillaris, Pimpinella lazica,
Psephellus appendicigerus,
Ranunculus tempskyanus
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Phylloscopus sindianus
(Phylloscopus lorenzii), Phylloscopus
nitidus (restricted)
200,407
Western Lesser
Caucasus
187
188
191
Zigana Mountain
Karadere
North Kackars
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
148
The IUCN Globally Threatened Species (2019)
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Phylloscopus sindianus
(Phylloscopus lorenzii) (restricted)
247,439
Western Lesser
Caucasus
Helichrysum artvinense,
Rhodothamnus sessilifolius,
Saxifraga artvinensis,
Sedum euxinum, Symphytum
savvalense, Bupleurum
schistosum,Alyssum artvinense,
Campanula troegerae,
Centaurea woronowii,
Hypericum fissurale
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Phylloscopus nitidus
(restricted)
61,664
Western Lesser
Caucasus
Aquila nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Clanga clanga,
Vipera kaznakovi, Natrix megalocephala, Vipera
eriwanensis, Darevskia dryada, Mertensiella
caucasica
Bupleurum schistosum,
Dryopteris liliana, Psephellus
pecho
Phylloscopus nitidus(restricted)
40,276
Western Lesser
Caucasus
Karcal Mountains
Vipera kaznakovi, Mertensiella caucasica
Alyssum artvinense, Bupleurum
schistosum, Campanula pontica,
Cousinia woronowii, Lamium
tschorochense, Psephellus
pecho, Saxifraga artvinensis,
Tripleurospermum fissurale
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Phylloscopus sindianus
(Phylloscopus lorenzii), Phylloscopus
nitidus (restricted)
151,554
Western Lesser
Caucasus
196
Yalnizcam
Mountains
Barbarea lutea, Centaurea
woronowii, Cirsium trachylepis,
Crataegus turcicus, Dryopteris
Vormela peregusna, Neophron percnopterus,
liliana, Erysimum leptocarpum,
Vipera eriwanensis, Vipera darevskii, Mertensiella Helichrysum artvinense,
caucasica
Jacobaea trapezuntina,
Psephellus pecho, Ranunculus
vermirrhizus, Verbascum
decursivum
Phylloscopus sindianus (Phylloscopus
lorenzii), Phylloscopus nitidus
(restricted)
197,729
Sarikamish-Posof
197
Posof Forest
Vipera darevskii, Natrix megalocephala,
Mertensiella caucasica
Chaerophyllum posofianum
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Tetrao
mlokosiewiczi), Phylloscopus sindianus
(Phylloscopus lorenzii) (restricted)
57,588
South Caucasus
Uplands
198
Ardahan Plain and
Forest
Aythya ferina, Vipera eriwanensis, Vipera
darevskii
Chaerophyllum posofianum,
Delphinium iris
Phylloscopus sindianus (Phylloscopus
lorenzii) (restricted)
48,549
Outside of CL/ BL
192
South Kackars
193
Hatila Valley
194
Hopa
195
N eophron percnopterus, Streptopelia turtur,
Mertensiella caucasica, Ponticola rizensis,
Ponticola turani
2020 EDITION
Alyssum artvinense,
Asperula virgata, Astragalus
acmophylloides, Campanula
troegerae, Campanula seraglio,
Campanula choruhensis,
Centaurea leptophylla,
Colchicum leptanthum, Crocus
aerius, Dryopteris liliana,
Erysimum leptocarpum,
Ferula mervynii, Helichrysum
artvinense, Kemulariella
colchica, Psephellus pecho,
Psephellus straminicephalus,
Stachys choruhensis, Sedum
euxinum, Silene ispirensis,
Tripleurospermum fissurale,
Verbascum decursivum
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
149
KBA #
KBA Name
FAUNA
FLORA
Aggregations and
Geographically
Restricted Species (Birds)
KBA
Are a
(ha)
Conservation
an d Bridgin g
Landscapes
(CLs and BLs)
5,859
South Caucasus
Uplands
27,056
South Caucasus
Uplands
9,281
Aras
20,613
Aras
TURKEY (32 KBAs)
199
Aktas Lake
Melanitta fusca
200
Cildir Lake
Aythya ferina
201
Kuyucuk Lake
Aythya ferina , Oxyura leucocephala
202
Kars Ovasi
Aythya ferina, Oxyura leucocephala, Vipera
eriwanensis, Vipera darevskii
Chaerophyllum karsianum
203
Allahuekber
Mountains
Falco cherrug, Neophron percnopterus
Allium czelghauricum, Onosma
nigricaulis, Stachys sosnowskyi,
Tripleurospermum fissurale,
Veronica allahuekberensis
Phylloscopus sindianus (Phylloscopus
lorenzii) (restricted)
260,701
Sarikamish-Posof
204
Sarikam ish Forests
Astragalus eliasianus
Phylloscopus sindianus (Phylloscopus
lorenzii) (restricted)
70,571
Sarikamish-Posof
Olur-Oltu Steppe
N eophron percnopterus
Astragalus acmophylloides,
Astragalus nigrocalycinus,
Bupleurum schistosum,
Campanula choruhensis,
Cousinia woronowii, Draba
narmanensis, Delphinium
munzianum, Psephellus
taochius, Psephellus pecho,
Tripleurospermum fissurale,
Tanacetum oxystegium
140,221
Outside of CL/ BL
180,141
Outside of CL/ BL
37,190
Outside of CL/ BL
2,977
Sarikamish-Maku
31,517
Sarikamish-Maku
33,852
Sarikamish-Maku
41,142
Sarikamish-Maku
205
Cirsium eliasianum
Important for breeding waterbirds
206
Tortum Basin
N eophron percnopterus
Asperula virgata, Bupleurum
schistosum, Cephalaria
anatolica, Cirsium davisianum,
Cousinia woronowii, Delphinium
munzianum, Ferula mervynii,
Psephellus straminicephalus,
Vicia erzurumica
207
Kop Mountain
Darevskia uzzelli, Mertensiella caucasica
Campanula lazica, Stachys
bayburtensis
208
Palandoken
Mountain
Vipera eriwanensis
209
Bingol Mountains
N eophron percnopterus
210
Karasu Plain
Otis tarda, Neophron percnopterus
211
Aras Valley
Neophron percnopterus, Vipera eriwanensis,
Montivipera wagneri
Erysimum leptocarpum
Cousinia woronowii, Lotus
armeniacus, Nonea karsensis,
Sameraria glastifolia,
Verbascum transcaucasicum
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
150
The IUCN Globally Threatened Species (2019)
Igdir Plain
213
Agri Mountain
Neophron percnopterus, Eremias pleskei,
Phrynocephalus horvathi
Allium baytopiorum, Astragalus
longivexillatus
133,408
Sarikamish-Maku
214
Dogubeyazit
Marshes
Falco cherrug, Darevskia bendimahiensis,
Eremias pleskei, Phrynocephalus horvathi
Astragalus longivexillatus,
Campanula aghrica
17,377
Sarikamish-Maku
215
Tendurek Mountain
Neophron percnopterus, Darevskia
bendimahiensis
Centaurea demirizii, Psephellus
gracillimus
35,443
Sarikamish-Maku
216
Eastern Van
Mountains
Ovis orientalis, Neophron percnopterus, Oxyura
leucocephala
86,386
Sarikamish-Maku
Allium baytopiorum
56,952
Sarikamish-Maku
2020 EDITION
212
Meriones dahli, Falco cherrug, Marmaronetta
angustirostris, Testudo graeca, Vipera
eriwanensis, Eremias pleskei, Phrynocephalus
horvathi
Total Area of KBAs in Turkey - 2,729,260 ha
IRAN (15 KBAs)
Ovis orientalis, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Capra
aegagrus, Anser erythropus, Aquila heliaca,
Clanga clanga, Testudo graeca, Luciobarbus
brachycephalus, Luciobarbus capito
Aquila chrysaetos (Falco chrysaetos),
Francolinus francolinus, Falco
subbuteo, Glareola nordmanni,
Tetraogallus caspius (aggregations)
324,754
Sarikamish-Maku
Maku
Ovis orientalis, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Capra
aegagrus, Anser erythropus, Aquila heliaca,
Clanga clanga, Otis tarda, Luciobarbus
brachycephalus, Luciobarbus capito
Aquila chrysaetos (Falco chrysaetos),
Francolinus francolinus, Falco
subbuteo, Glareola nordmanni,
Tetraogallus caspius (aggregations)
86,290
Sarikamish-Maku
219
Agh-Gol
Ovis orientalis, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Capra
aegagrus, Aquila heliaca, Anser erythropus,
Clanga clanga
Tetraogallus caspius, Aquila
chrysaetos (Falco chrysaetos),
Francolinus francolinus, Falco
subbuteo, Glareola nordmanni
(aggregations)
27,385
Sarikamish-Maku
220
Aras Dam Lake
Anser erythropus, Marmaronetta angustirostris,
Oxyura leucocephala, Luciobarbus
brachycephalus, Luciobarbus capito
Anser albifrons, Haliaeetus albicilla,
Pelecanus onocrotalus (aggregations)
9,514
Arasbaran
221
Marakan
Ovis orientalis, Capra aegagrus, Panthera pardus,
Falco cherrug, Streptopelia turtur, Testudo
graeca, Phrynocephalus persicus, Vipera ebneri,
Eremias pleskei
Tetraogallus caspius, Gypaetus
barbatus (aggregations)
103,248
Arasbaran
222
Kiamaky-Kantal
Ovis orientalis, Panthera pardus, Capra aegagrus,
Falco cherrug, Streptopelia turtur, Testudo
graeca, Vipera ebneri
Tetraogallus caspius, Gypaetus
barbatus (aggregations)
96,709
Arasbaran
375,740
Arasbaran
218
223
Dizmar-Arasbaran
Capra aegagrus, Aquila heliaca, Clanga
clanga, Falco cherrug, Neophron percnopterus,
Streptopelia turtur, Testudo graeca
151
Tetraogallus caspius, Falco subbuteo,
Aquila chrysaetos (Falco chrysaetos),
Phalacrocorax pygmeus (Microcarbo
pygmaeus), Phasianus colchicus,
Gypaetus barbatus, Accipiter gentilis
(aggregations), Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi
(Tetrao mlokosiewiczi) (restricted)
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Maku and Iran West
Border
217
KBA #
KBA Name
FAUNA
FLORA
Aggregations and
Geographically
Restricted Species (Birds)
KBA
Are a
(ha)
Conservation
an d Bridgin g
Landscapes
(CLs and BLs)
IRAN (15 KBAs)
224
Parsabad
Gazella subgutturosa, Anser erythropus,
Branta ruficollis, Clanga clanga, Leucogeranus
leucogeranus, Marmaronetta angustirostris,
Oxyura leucocephala
Aythya nyroca, Francolinus
francolinus, Tetrax tetrax
(aggregations)
79,883
Arasbaran
225
Mountain SahandSabalan
Ovis orientalis, Panthera pardus, Capra aegagrus,
Aquila heliaca, Clanga clanga
Aquila chrysaetos (Falco chrysaetos),
Gyps fulvus (aggregations), Sturnus
roseus (Pastor roseus), Tetraogallus
caspius (restricted)
123,968
Outside of CL/ BL
226
Lavandvil
Aquila heliaca, Clanga clanga, Huso huso,
Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser
nudiventris, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii
Phasianus colchicus (restricted)
89,656
Hyrcan
227
Lisar
Panthera pardus, Aquila nipalensis, Bufo
eichwaldi
31,194
Hyrcan
228
Anzali Lagoon
Phoca caspica (Pusa caspica), Anser erythropus,
Aquila heliaca, Clanga clanga, Falco cherrug,
Leucogeranus leucogeranus, Marmaronetta
angustirostris, Oxyura leucocephala, Podiceps
auritus, Vanellus gregarius, Huso huso,
Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser
nudiventris, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Cyprinus
carpio
137,304
Hyrcan
229
Gashtroodkhan
Panthera pardus
39,626
Hyrcan
Sepirud River and
Bujagh
Phoca caspica (Pusa caspica), Anser erythropus,
Aquila heliaca, Branta ruficollis, Clanga clanga,
Clangula hyemalis, Numenius tenuirostris,
Oxyura leucocephala, Huso huso, Acipenser
stellatus, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser
nudiventris, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser
ruthenus, Cyprinus carpio
Pelecanus crispus (aggregations)
29,806
Hyrcan
Am irkelayeh
Phoca caspica (Pusa caspica), Aquila heliaca,
Anser erythropus, Branta ruficollis, Clanga
clanga, Clangula hyemalis, Numenius
tenuirostris, Oxyura leucocephala, Huso huso,
Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser
nudiventris, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser
ruthenus, Cyprinus carpio
Pelecanus crispus (aggregations)
93,263
Hyrcan
230
231
Zelkova carpinifolia
Total Area of KBAs in Iran - 1,648,341 ha
Area of all KBAs in the Ecoregion - 13,011,309 ha
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
152
The IUCN Globally Threatened Species (2019)
2020 EDITION
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
Num ber of
Critically
Endangered
Species
Abrausky Peninsula
15
√
-
15
4
1
47,670
2
Tam anskiy
15
√
-
15
-
1
172,342
3
Delta Kuban
18
√
-
18
-
6
239,503
4
Krim sky
3
-
-
3
-
1
21,063
5
Primorsko-Akhtarsk Salt Lakes
11
√
-
11
1
1
115,674
6
Lower reaches of the Beisug
and Chelbas Rivers
13
√
-
13
-
4
76,515
7
Lower Ei
12
√
-
12
-
3
41,559
8
Don Delta
11
√
-
11
-
4
81,384
KBA Name
KBA Area
(ha)
Num ber of
Endem ic Species
(local, country,
regional)
1
KBA #
Num ber
of Globally
Threatened
Species
Total Number
of all Trigger
Species
Num ber of
Geographically
Restricted Species
Aggregations or
Num ber of
Aggregate Species
Annex 3: Summary of Species Parameters of Key Biodiversity Areas
RUSSIA (54 KBAs)
9
Novoberezanskiy
4
-
-
4
-
-
34,797
10
Sredne-Labinskiy
2
-
-
2
-
-
13,756
11
Novotroitskiy
3
-
-
3
-
-
7,258
12
Veselovskoye Reservoir
11
-
-
11
-
-
183,853
13
Manych-Gudilo Lake
13
√
-
13
-
2
48,622
14
Dadynskiye Lake
5
√
-
5
-
-
47,343
15
Irgakliskaya Forest Area
2
-
-
2
-
-
3,711
16
Kizlyar Bay
12
√
-
12
-
3
76,143
17
Tarum ovsky
5
√
-
5
-
3
73,898
18
Argakhanskiy
13
√
-
13
-
5
72,063
19
Yangiyurtovskiy-Sulakskaya
14
1
-
15
-
6
59,316
20
Dagestanskiy (Sarykum skiy
Barkhan)
9
√
-
9
2
-
416
21
Melishtinskiy
5
-
-
5
2
-
20,476
22
Kayakentsky-Deshlagarsky
6
-
-
6
2
-
46,000
23
Papas (Adji) Lake
9
√
-
9
1
-
4,668
40,926
24
Itsari
3
-
5
8
2
-
25
Sam urskiy
26
√
-
26
1
8
22,143
26
Berkubinsky
9
-
-
9
-
5
13,633
27
Shalbuzdag
9
-
6
15
5
-
38,203
28
Laman-Kam Area
6
√
-
6
1
-
17,266
29
Tlyaratinsky
10
-
6
16
5
-
65,640
30
Kosobsko-Kelebsky
10
-
6
16
5
-
81,587
31
Bezhtinskiy
10
-
6
16
5
-
43,192
32
Khunzakhskiy
9
-
6
15
7
1
2,723
33
Kezenoi-Am (Lake Eizenam)
Basin
4
-
-
4
2
1
15,426
34
Erzi
6
-
6
12
3
-
44,844
35
Ingushskiy
4
-
-
4
1
-
23,585
36
Severno-Osetinsky-Tseiskiy
12
-
6
18
7
1
132,553
37
Alania
7
-
6
13
4
-
56,158
38
Kabardino-Balkarskiy
8
-
6
14
7
-
80,515
39
Kara-Su Sanctuary
4
-
3
7
4
-
16,646
40
Baksan Gorge
7
-
-
7
5
-
96,736
41
Prielbrusie
6
-
6
12
7
-
101,535
42
Gorge of the Eshkakon and
Malka Rivers
4
-
3
7
3
-
144,966
153
Num ber of
Critically
Endangered
Species
Surrounding of Kislovodsk
10
√
-
10
6
-
19,178
44
Upstream s of the Podkum ok
and Kum a Rivers
4
√
-
4
1
-
40,851
KBA Name
KBA Area
(ha)
Num ber of
Endem ic Species
(local, country,
regional)
43
KBA #
Num ber
of Globally
Threatened
Species
Total Number
of all Trigger
Species
Num ber of
Geographically
Restricted Species
Aggregations or
Num ber of
Aggregate Species
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
RUSSIA (54 KBAs)
45
Dautskiy
7
-
-
7
5
-
75,197
46
Teberdinksi-Marukhskiy
15
√
6
21
10
1
198,713
47
Upstream s of the Urup River
2
-
1
3
-
-
97,824
48
Akhmet-Skala Ridge
4
-
1
5
-
-
13,062
49
Dam khurtskiy
5
-
1
6
3
-
30,050
50
Psebay
5
-
1
6
2
-
37,567
51
Gorge of the White River
4
-
-
4
2
-
3,975
52
Caucasian
24
-
5
29
16
1
313,333
53
Northern Black Sea Region
16
√
-
16
7
2
293,945
54
Sochinsky
21
-
5
26
15
1
236,146
GEORGIA (60 KBAs)
55
Arabika
7
-
-
7
6
-
16,654
56
Ritsa
9
-
-
9
7
1
16,412
57
Bzipi
6
-
-
6
5
1
4,244
58
Range Bzipi
6
-
-
6
5
-
23,976
59
Bichvinta-Miusera
2
-
-
2
-
-
4,014
60
Pskhu-Gumista
7
-
-
7
5
1
40,365
61
Abkhazia
9
-
-
9
7
-
36,161
62
Svaneti (2)
4
-
6
10
6
-
30,958
63
Range Kodori
3
-
6
9
5
-
47,198
64
Lake Bebesiri
3
-
-
3
3
1
136
65
Svaneti (1)
15
-
6
21
13
-
224,680
66
Racha
10
-
6
16
8
-
138,740
67
Askhi Massif
12
-
-
12
11
-
82,306
68
Khvam li
6
-
-
6
5
-
5,023
69
Sataplia
2
-
-
2
-
-
364
70
Kolkheti (Aquatory)
14
6
-
20
-
7
15,845
71
Enguri River
10
6
-
16
1
5
24,684
72
Khobi River
9
6
-
15
-
4
3,853
73
Kolkheti
21
6
-
27
2
9
52,246
74
Rioni River
18
6
-
24
-
7
37,070
75
Supsa River
5
6
-
11
-
1
2,013
76
Batumi 1
12
8
-
20
5
2
26,303
77
Chorokhi-Sarpi
17
7
-
24
3
7
4,711
78
Batumi 2
8
8
-
16
3
1
10,337
79
Machakhela
7
-
-
7
3
1
25,863
80
Shavsheti Range (2)
4
-
2
6
5
-
21,439
81
Mtirala-Kintrishi
8
-
2
10
8
2
29,213
82
Bakhm aro
3
-
2
5
3
-
33,239
83
Goderdzi Pass
4
-
2
6
4
-
26,954
84
Shavsheti Range (1)
10
-
2
12
6
-
55,498
154
2020 EDITION
Num ber of
Endem ic Species
(local, country,
regional)
Num ber of
Critically
Endangered
Species
KBA Area
(ha)
85
Borjomi-Kharagauli
10
-
2
12
5
-
147,259
86
Nedzvi
3
-
-
3
1
-
9,213
KBA #
KBA Name
Num ber
of Globally
Threatened
Species
Total Number
of all Trigger
Species
Num ber of
Geographically
Restricted Species
Aggregations or
Num ber of
Aggregate Species
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
GEORGIA (60 KBAs)
87
Trialeti Range
6
-
1
7
2
-
27,274
88
Ktsia-Tabatskuri
11
-
2
13
1
1
20,476
89
Tetrobi
3
-
-
3
3
3
3,089
90
Meskheti
16
-
1
17
9
2
82,239
91
Kartsakhi-Sulda Mire
12
5
2
19
1
-
467
92
J avakheti
5
-
-
5
2
1
13,314
93
Khanchali Lake
10
4
2
16
-
1
727
94
Bugdasheni Lake
11
2
-
13
-
-
119
95
Madatapa Lake
13
5
2
20
1
-
1,398
96
Sagham o Lake
9
5
2
16
-
-
3,531
97
Paravani Lake
10
5
2
17
-
-
4,106
98
J avakheti Range
8
-
-
8
3
2
71,221
99
Bedeni
1
-
-
1
-
-
13,977
100
Kvernaki Ridge
10
-
-
10
1
-
21,117
101
Tbilisi National Park
7
-
-
7
2
-
21,031
102
Kazbegi
9
-
6
15
5
-
105,765
103
Pshav-Khevsureti
13
-
6
19
7
1
110,229
104
Tusheti
11
-
6
17
5
-
113,618
105
Babaneuri
2
-
-
2
1
-
834
106
Eastern Caucasus
7
-
6
13
3
-
30,217
107
Lagodekhi
7
-
6
13
3
-
24,257
108
Alazani Valley
15
3
2
20
1
-
88,893
109
Artsivi Gorge
1
-
-
1
1
-
98
110
Chachuna-Vashlovani
12
3
2
17
-
-
114,923
111
Iori-Korugi
9
-
-
9
-
-
19,099
112
Iori Plateau
10
4
2
16
1
-
40,026
113
J andari Lake
12
2
-
14
1
-
787
114
Gardabani
12
-
-
12
-
-
3,734
AZERBAIJAN (48 KBAs)
115
Garayazi
8
1
-
9
3
1
9,669
116
J andar Lake
6
2
-
8
-
-
633
117
Agstapha
7
1
-
8
2
-
9,580
118
Sham kir
4
4
-
8
-
-
10,091
119
Shortepe
4
2
-
6
2
-
12,376
120
Gyzilja
4
2
-
6
2
-
5,140
121
Goy-Gol
5
-
2
7
3
-
26,130
122
Lachin
6
-
1
7
2
1
20,081
123
Gubadli
4
-
-
4
1
-
20,117
124
Dashalty
1
-
-
1
-
-
1,572
125
Orta Kur Akhm azy
6
-
-
6
2
-
27,642
155
Num ber of
Critically
Endangered
Species
Turyanchay
7
-
-
7
2
-
23,092
Korchay
7
-
-
7
-
-
19,917
128
Qabirri-Mingachevir
12
4
-
16
1
-
151,331
129
Ajinohur
7
3
-
10
1
-
28,155
130
Ilisu (Akhar-Bakhar)
7
-
-
7
-
-
5,106
KBA Name
KBA Area
(ha)
Num ber of
Endem ic Species
(local, country,
regional)
126
127
KBA #
Num ber
of Globally
Threatened
Species
Total Number
of all Trigger
Species
Num ber of
Geographically
Restricted Species
Aggregations or
Num ber of
Aggregate Species
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
AZERBAIJAN (48 KBAs)
131
Sheki
5
-
-
5
1
1
10,387
132
Ganikh Valley
7
-
-
7
-
-
35,832
133
Zagatala
2
-
3
5
2
-
54,350
134
Ilisu-Gakh
2
-
3
5
2
-
23,949
135
Shahdag
6
-
2
8
2
-
130,498
136
Shahdag Mountain (1)
5
-
2
7
4
-
81,938
137
Shahdag Mountain (2)
1
-
2
3
2
-
10,520
138
Samur-Yalama-Gusar
17
-
-
17
2
5
88,481
139
Aghzibir Lakes
15
14
-
29
2
1
9,084
140
Altyaghach
6
-
-
6
3
-
11,530
141
Garghabazar and Gush-Gaya
Mountains
4
-
-
4
1
-
6,172
142
Absheron Archipelago and
Pirallahi Bay
19
10
-
29
3
7
39,224
143
Gyrm yzygol Lake
4
-
-
4
1
-
813
144
Factory Shelf
1
2
-
3
-
-
3,783
145
Gobustan
7
-
-
7
3
-
4,315
146
Alat Bay-Baku Archipelago (1)
14
4
-
18
2
6
7,457
147
Alat Bay-Baku Archipelago (2)
3
4
-
7
-
-
46
148
Alat Bay-Baku Archipelago (3)
4
4
-
8
-
-
311
149
Alat Bay-Baku Archipelago (4)
11
4
-
15
-
5
59
150
Alat Bay-Baku Archipelago (5)
11
4
-
15
-
5
1,451
151
Alat Bay-Baku Archipelago (6)
3
4
-
7
-
-
44
152
Shirvan
12
6
-
18
1
-
65,557
153
Kura Delta
12
5
-
17
-
6
14,174
154
Gizilaghach
22
18
-
40
-
6
99,279
155
Hyrkan Forests
12
-
-
12
6
1
160,340
156
Zuvand
11
-
-
11
7
2
14,555
157
Mahmud-Chala Lake
7
6
-
13
-
-
11,125
158
Araz-Bahramtepe
9
-
-
9
-
6
12,518
159
Ag-Gol-Sarisu
11
1
-
12
-
-
61,843
160
Zangezur-Darasham
37
1
1
39
25
5
174,956
161
Aras Reservoir
6
-
-
6
1
-
9,841
162
Sadarak
13
-
-
13
7
1
69,520
156
2020 EDITION
Num ber of
Critically
Endangered
Species
Lake Arpi
9
3
-
12
1
1
35,239
164
Mount Achkasar
5
4
-
9
1
1
8,470
165
Tashir
5
4
-
9
2
-
15,037
166
Jajur
10
-
1
11
3
1
6,279
167
Akhuryan Reservoir
11
1
-
12
4
-
6,244
168
Arm avir
21
10
-
31
9
3
66,120
169
Aragats
13
-
1
14
7
4
27,153
170
Mount Ara
8
-
1
9
7
-
3,705
171
Northeast
23
3
1
27
17
-
273,244
172
Sevan Ridge
8
-
-
8
4
1
25,626
173
Lake Sevan
17
4
1
22
9
2
146,346
174
Khosrov Forest
43
-
-
43
32
6
78,042
175
Khor Virap
4
3
-
7
2
-
618
176
Arm ash Fish Ponds
10
9
-
19
4
1
7,750
177
Goravan Sands
6
-
-
6
5
2
400
178
Urts Range
18
-
-
18
8
1
20,432
179
Gndasar
13
-
-
13
6
-
27,876
180
Arpa
13
-
-
13
3
1
29,493
181
Jermuk-Eghegis
24
-
-
24
16
4
76,287
182
Meghri
41
-
1
42
27
5
144,465
183
Tatev
13
3
-
16
7
-
27,182
184
Khndzoresk
5
2
-
7
2
1
3,428
185
Giresun and Ordu Coast
2
-
-
2
2
-
55,887
KBA Name
KBA Area
(ha)
Num ber of
Endem ic Species
(local, country,
regional)
163
KBA #
Num ber
of Globally
Threatened
Species
Total Number
of all Trigger
Species
Num ber of
Geographically
Restricted Species
Aggregations or
Num ber of
Aggregate Species
SU P P LE M E N TAR Y R E P O R TS
ARMENIA (22 KBAs)
TURKEY (32 KBAs)
186
Giresun Mountains
4
-
1
5
4
1
134,115
187
Zigana Mountain
13
-
1
14
12
2
91,675
188
Karadere
5
-
2
7
6
2
45,845
189
Ikizdere and Soganli Mountain
14
-
3
17
13
4
91,326
190
Upper Chorukh Valley
7
-
2
9
7
1
114,516
191
North Kackars
20
-
3
23
20
4
200,407
192
South Kackars
26
-
2
28
25
11
247,439
193
Hatila Valley
10
-
2
12
11
7
61,664
194
Hopa
11
-
1
12
8
1
40,276
195
Karcal Mountains
10
-
3
13
11
2
151,554
196
Yalnizcam Mountains
16
-
2
18
14
6
197,729
197
Posof Forest
4
-
2
6
5
2
57,588
198
Ardahan Plain and Forest
5
-
1
6
4
3
48,549
199
Aktas Lake
1
-
-
1
-
-
5,859
157
Num ber of
Critically
Endangered
Species
Cildir Lake
2
-
-
2
1
1
27,056
201
Kuyucuk Lake
2
-
-
2
-
-
9,281
KBA Name
KBA Area
(ha)
Num ber of
Endem ic Species
(local, country,
regional)
200
KBA #
Num ber
of Globally
Threatened
Species
Total Number
of all Trigger
Species
Num ber of
Geographically
Restricted Species
Aggregations or
Num ber of
Aggregate Species
E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
TURKEY (32 KBAs)
202
Kars Ovasi
5
-
-
5
3
2
20,613
203
Allahuekber Mountains
7
-
1
8
5
4
260,701
204
Sarikam ish Forests
1
-
1
2
1
1
70,571
205
Olur-Oltu Steppe
12
-
-
12
11
5
140,221
206
Tortum Basin
10
-
-
10
9
5
180,141
207
Kop Mountain
4
-
-
4
4
2
37,190
208
Palandoken Mountain
1
-
-
1
1
-
2,977
209
Bingol Mountains
2
-
-
2
1
-
31,517
210
Karasu Plain
2
-
-
2
-
-
33,852
211
Aras Valley
8
-
-
8
7
3
41,142
212
Igdir Plain
8
-
-
8
5
3
56,952
213
Agri Mountain
5
-
-
5
4
4
133,408
214
Dogubeyazit Marshes
6
-
-
6
5
4
17,377
215
Tendurek Mountain
4
-
-
4
3
2
35,443
216
Eastern Van Mountains
3
-
-
3
-
-
86,386
IRAN (15 KBAs)
217
Maku and Iran West Border
9
5
-
14
-
-
324,754
218
Maku
9
5
-
14
-
-
86,290
219
Agh-Gol
6
5
-
11
-
-
27,385
220
Aras Dam Lake
5
3
-
8
-
-
9,514
221
Marakan
9
2
-
11
3
1
103,248
222
Kiamaky-Kantal
7
2
-
9
1
-
96,709
223
Dizmar-Arasbaran
7
7
1
15
1
-
375,740
224
Parsabad
7
3
-
10
-
1
79,883
225
Mountain Sahand-Sabalan
5
2
2
9
-
-
123,968
226
Lavandvil
7
-
1
8
-
5
89,656
227
Lisar
4
-
-
4
2
-
31,194
228
Anzali Lagoon
16
-
-
16
-
7
137,304
229
Gashtroodkhan
1
-
-
1
-
-
39,626
230
Sepirud River and Bujagh
15
1
-
16
-
6
29,806
231
Am irkelayeh
15
1
-
16
-
6
93,263
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Annex 4: Description of Conservation and Bridging Landscapes
CON SERVATION LAN D SCAPES
1. Kuma-Manych
Countries: Russia
Location: along the northern border of the Caucasus, in the North Caucasus Plains, includes the eastern
coast of the Azov Sea.
Central coordinates:1 41° 30' 43" E; 46° 47' 58" N; North: 41° 9' 47"E; 47° 14' 21"N; West: 36° 30' 5"E;
45° 18' 1" N; East: 46° 41' 39"E; 44° 48' 32.90"N; South: 41° 33' 46" E; 46° 35' 16"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 164
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 10
Total Area (km²): 23,769
Terrestrial area: 22,424
Marine area: 1,345
Average length (km): 805
Average width (km) 258
KBAs (number): 10
KBAs: Tamanskiy, Delta Kuban, Krimsky, Primorsko-Akhtarsk Salt Lakes, Lower reaches of the Beisug
and Chelbas Rivers, Lower Ei, Don Delta, Veselovskoye Reservoir, Manych-Gudilo Lake, Dadynskiye Lake
KBAs (total area, km²): 10,160.3
KBA coverage (% of CL’s total area): 42.7%
Protected Areas (number): 4
Protected Areas (total area within the CL, km²): 1,036.5
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of CL’s total area): 4.4%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the CL): 9.6%
Areas under International Conventions: four Ram sar Sites.
Main habitats: wetlands, large lakes and channels surrounded by steppes and sem ideserts.
Principal fauna species: im portant place for waterfowl, European Mink, several species of sturgeon,
various bird and reptile species.
Important phenomena: eight wetland sites hold globally significant congregations of waterfowl, such as
the Red-breasted Goose and Lesser White-fronted Goose.
Basis for delineation: importance for migratory waterfowl, its significant number of IBAs and high
coverage of KBAs.
Threats: parts of the corridor have been severely impacted by grazing, farming, poaching and overfishing.
Conservation focus: increasing PA effectiveness and coverage, increasing connectivity, strengthening law
enforcem ent and m onitoring capacity.
1
Under the N, W, E, S coordinates the extrem e points are considered that are further north, south, east or west than any other location in the Landscapes.
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
2. Western Greater Caucasus
Countries: Russian Federation, Georgia
Location: western section of the Greater Caucasus range, the Black Sea catchm ent basin, approx. until
longitude of Mt. Elbrus.
Central coordinates: 40° 42' 35" E; 43° 44' 29" N; North: 40° 35' 42"E; 44° 7' 43" N; West: 37° 49' 44" E;
44° 41' 44"N; East: 42° 26' 20.53" E; 43° 21' 10" N; South: 40° 32' 44"E; 43° 7' 23"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 4,046
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 304
Total Area (km²): 26,070.4
Terrestrial area: 25,847
Marine area: 223
Average length (km): 403
Average width (km): 139
KBAs (number): 18
KBAs: Gorge of the Eshkakon and Malka Rivers, Upstreams of the Podkumok and Kuma Rivers, Dautskiy,
Teberdinksi-Marukhskiy, Damkhurtskiy, Psebay, Caucasian, Northern Black sea region, Sochinsky,
Arabika, Ritsa, Bzipi, Range Bzipi, Bichvinta-Miusera, Pskhu-Gumista, Abkhazia, Svaneti (2), Range
Kodori
KBAs (total area, km²): 14,461
KBA coverage (% of PCL’s total area): 55.5%
Protected Areas (number): 28
Protected Areas (total area within the CL, km²): 10,999.4
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of CL’s total area): 42.2%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the CL): 67%
Areas under International Conventions: one World Natural Heritage Site (Western Caucasus, Russia),
two Biosphere Reserves (Kavkazskiy and Teberda, Russia), one European Diplom a Protected Area (Teberda
Biosphere Reserve, Russia).
Main habitats: humid Colchic mixed forests/temperate rainforests, temperate broad-leaved, coniferous
and m ixed forests, high m ountain krum holtz2, grasslands, meadows and thickets, sub-nival areas.
Principal fauna species: Western Tur, Red Deer, Brown Bear, Leopard (reintroduced), various bird and
reptile species.
Important phenomena: large areas of pristine forests; evolutionary phenom ena of Colchic relict forests;
globally significant congregations of the endemic Caucasian Black Grouse (Teberda Biosphere Reserve).
Basis for delineation: high num ber and coverage of KBAs.
Threats: infrastructure developm ent (m ostly roads), unsustainable tourism , poaching, illegal logging,
habitat fragm entation.
Conservation focus: increasing connectivity, effectiveness of PAs, strengthening law enforcement and
m onitoring capacity, Leopard reintroduction, Western Tur conservation.
2
A type of stunted, deformed vegetation encountered in subarctic and subalpine tree line landscapes, shaped by continual exposure to fierce, freezing winds.
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3. Central Greater Caucasus
Countries: Russian Federation, Georgia
Location: central section of the Greater Caucasus range, approx. between longitudes of Mt. Elbrus and
upper Terek river basin (including both).
Central coordinates: 43° 17' 3" E; 43° 1' 8"N; North: 42° 49' 53" E; 43° 57' 24"N; West: 41° 36' 48"E;
42° 54' 55N; East: 44° 51' 30"E; 42° 35' 30" N; South: 43° 10' 7"E; 42° 34' 51"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 5,642
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 388
Total Area (km²): 21,132.7
Average length (km): 272
Average width (km): 163
KBAs (number): 14
KBAs: Severno-Osetinsky-Tseiskiy, Alania, Kabardino-Balkarskiy, Kara-Su Sanctuary, Baksan Gorge,
Prielbrusie, Gorge of the Eshkakon and Malka Rivers, Surrounding of Kislovodsk, Svaneti (1), Svaneti (2),
Range Kodori, Racha, Askhi Massif, Kazbegi
KBAs (total area, km²): 11,954.1
KBA coverage (% of CL’s total area): 56.6%
Protected Areas (number): 24
Protected Areas (total area within the CL, km²): 5,130
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of CL’s total area): 24.3%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the CL): 40.4%
Areas under International Conventions: none.
Main habitats: temperate mixed forests, high mountain krumholtz, grasslands, meadows and thickets, subnival and nival areas.
Principal fauna species: Leopard, Eastern Tur, Northern Cham ois, Brown Bear, European Lynx, various
species of birds and sm all m am m als.
Important phenomena: one of the centres of high m ountain plant species origination; large areas of intact
high m ountain habitats.
Basis for delineation: high num ber and coverage of KBAs.
Threats: infrastructure developm ent (hydro power, roads, electricity transm ission lines, gas pipelines),
poaching and habitat fragm entation, unsustainable tourism .
Conservation focus: establishment of new protected areas and increasing connectivity, effectiveness of
PAs, strengthening law enforcem ent and m onitoring capacity, restoration of European Bison, Western Tur
conservation.
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
4. Eastern Greater Caucasus
Countries: Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, Georgia
Location: eastern section of the Greater Caucasus range, approx. east from upper Terek river basin.
Central coordinates: 46° 46' 5" E; 42° 2' 41" N; North: 46° 44' 52"E; 43° 2' 38"N; West: 44° 18' 18"E;
42° 29' 22"N; East: 49° 13' 0"E; 40° 46' 42"N; South: 46° 58' 21"E; 41° 22' 19"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 4,492
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 355
Total Area (km²): 38,445.1
Average length (km): 451
Average width (km): 167
KBAs (number): 23
KBAs: Melishtinskiy, Kayakentsky-Deshlagarsky, Itsari, Shalbuzdag, Laman-Kam Area, Tlyaratinsky,
Kosobsko-Kelebsky, Bezhtinskiy, Khunzakhskiy, Kezenoi-Am (Lake Eizenam) Basin, Erzi, Ingushskiy,
Pshav-Khevsureti, Tusheti, Babaneuri, Eastern Caucasus, Lagodekhi, Zagatala, Ilisu-Gakh, Shahdag,
Shahdag Mountain (1), Shahdag Mountain (2), Altyaghach
KBAs (total area, km²): 9,981.7
KBA coverage (% of CL’s total area): 26%
Protected Areas (number): 36
Protected Areas (total area within the CL, km²): 12,108.6
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of CL’s total area): 31.5%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the CL): 82.3%
Areas under International Conventions: none.
Main habitats: temperate broad-leaved forests, high mountain krumholtz, grasslands, meadows and
thickets, sub-nival areas.
Principal fauna species: Leopard, Bezoar Goat, Eastern Tur, Northern Cham ois, Red Deer, Brown Bear,
European Lynx, various bird species.
Important phenomena: one of the centres of high m ountain plant species origination; large areas of intact
forest and high m ountain habitats.
Basis for delineation: high num ber and coverage of KBAs.
Threats: infrastructure developm ent (roads, hydro power), unsustainable tourism , overgrazing, poaching,
illegal logging, habitat fragm entation.
Conservation focus: establishm ent of ecological corridors (m ostly for Red Deer and Eastern Tur) and
increasing connectivity, effectiveness of PAs, strengthening law enforcement and monitoring capacity,
restoration of European Bison range, transboundary conservation.
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5. Caspian
Countries: Russian Federation, Azerbaijan
Location: along the western cost of the Caspian Sea, both in coastal and m arine areas from the Talysh
mountains in the south to the northern border of the Caucasus, and into Kura river flood plains within
Azerbaijan.
Central coordinates: 47° 29' 55" E; 40° 13' 14" N; North: 47° 0' 48"E; 44° 51' 0"N; West: 47° 0' 44"E;
40° 45' 44"N; East: 50° 39' 2"E; 40° 17' 41"N; South: 48° 48' 38"E; 38° 51' 30"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 846
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 2
Total Area (km²): 21,835.3
Terrestrial area: 16,265.5
Marine area: 5,569.8
Average length (km): 257
Average width (km): 70
KBAs (number): 25
KBAs: Kizlyar Bay, Tarumovsky, Argakhanskiy, Yangiyurtovskiy-Sulakskaya, Dagestanskiy
(Sarykumskiy barkhan), Papas (Adji) Lake, Samurskiy, Berkubinsky, Orta Kur Akhmazy, Samur-YalamaGusar, Aghzibir Lakes, Absheron Archipelago and Pirallahi Bay, Gyrmyzygol Lake, Factory Shelf, Alat
Bay-Baku Archipelago (1-6), Shirvan, Kura Delta, Gizilaghach, Araz-Bahramtepe, Ag-Gol-Sarisu
KBAs (total area, km²): 11,954.1
KBA coverage (% of CL’s total area): 34.5%
Protected Areas (number): 20
Protected Areas (total area km² within the CL): 3,698.6
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of CL’s total area): 16.9%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the CL): 48.5%
Areas under International Conventions: two Ramsar Sites (Ghizil-Agaj, Agh-Ghol, Azerbaijan).
Main habitats: coastal wetlands, river and marine habitats, lakes, semideserts, deserts and flood plains.
Principal fauna species: globally threatened species of sturgeon, various bird species, Caspian Seal and
Goitered Gazelle.
Important phenomena: the largest flyway of migrating birds in the Caucasus, around 20 KBAs have
im portant congregations of waterfowl, and som e KBAs are critical spawning areas for sturgeon populations;
globally important population of Goitered Gazelle containing around 10% of the total number of mature
individuals (Shirvan National Park).
Basis for delineation: importance for migratory waterfowl and sturgeon group of species, its significant
num ber of IBAs, key freshwater areas and KBAs.
Threats: infrastructure development (oil & gas, roads, tourism), illegal fishing and bird poaching, illegal
logging, habitat fragm entation.
Conservation focus: increasing connectivity, effectiveness of PAs, strengthening law enforcement and
m onitoring capacity, restoration of historic range of Gazelles via translocation from Shirvan National park.
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E CO R E GI O N AL CO N SE R VATI O N P LAN F O R TH E CAU CASU S
6. Kolkheti
Countries: Georgia
Location: between the Western Greater, Western Lesser Caucasus and Likhi ridge (Landscapes), including
deltas of Rioni and Chorokhi rivers, and m arine section along to the Black Sea cost from Kolkheti Lowlands
to Georgia’s border with Turkey.
Central coordinates: 42° 6' 20" E; 42° 10' 3" N; North: 41° 31' 46"E; 42° 42' 21"N; West: 41° 30' 29"E;
42° 12' 9"N; East: 42° 44' 21"E; 42° 9' 52"N; South: 41° 32' 53"E; 41° 31' 24"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 448
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 1
Total Area (km²): 1,969.7
Terrestrial area: 1,448.9
Marine area: 520.9
Average length (km): 143
Average width (km): 103
KBAs (number): 8
KBAs: Lake Bebesiri, Kolkheti (Aquatory), Enguri River, Khobi River, Kolkheti, Rioni River, Supsa River,
Chorokhi-Sarpi
KBAs (total area, km²): 1,405.6
KBA coverage (% of CL’s total area): 71.4%
Protected Areas (number): 2
Protected Areas (total area km² within the CL): 446
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of CL’s total area): 22.6%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the CL): 31.7%
Areas under International Conventions: two Ram sar Sites (Wetlands of Central Kolkheti and Ispani
Mires, Georgia).
Main habitats: swam p alder forests, wetlands, river and m arine habitats.
Principal fauna species: various bird species, sturgeon species.
Important phenomena: evolutionary im portance of lowland endem ic Colchic forests; im portant wetland
habitats (percolating bogs); im portant stopover site for m igrating birds with congregations of waterfowl; the
last spawning grounds of sturgeon in the eastern Black Sea (Rioni river).
Basis for delineation: importance for migratory waterfowl and sturgeon group of species, its significant
num ber of IBAs, key freshwater areas and KBAs.
Threats: coastal infrastructure development (sea ports, oil terminals, roads), mass tourism, illegal fishing
and bird poaching, habitat degradation due to m elioration.
Conservation focus: establishm ent of new protected areas (especially freshwater and m arine), increasing
connectivity, effectiveness of PAs, strengthening law enforcement and monitoring capacity, conservation of
the last spawning grounds of sturgeon in the eastern Black Sea.
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7. Western Lesser Caucasus
Countries: Georgia, Turkey
Location: north-western and western parts of Lesser Caucasus mountain chain (Meskheti range, Georgia),
Doğu Karadeniz mountains (Turkey) and several other associated mountain ranges, extends along the Black
Sea from north-eastern Turkey to south-western Georgia, ending in central Georgia.
Central coordinates: 40° 40' 56" E; 40° 43' 41" N; North: 42° 44' 7"E; 41° 59' 46"N; West: 37° 37' 10"E;
40° 45' 29"N; East: 43° 48' 33"E; 41° 45' 8"N; South: 39° 50' 37"E; 39° 58' 35"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 3,937
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 49
Total Area (km²): 33,236.8
Marine area: 257.2
Terrestrial area: 32,979.6
Average length (km): 546
Average width (km): 170
KBAs (number): 24
KBAs: Batumi 1, Batumi 2, Machakhela, Shavsheti Range (1), Shavsheti Range (2), Mtirala-Kintrishi,
Bakhmaro, Goderdzi pass, Borjomi-Kharagauli, Nedzvi, Trialeti Range, Ktsia-Tabatskuri, Tetrobi, Giresun
and Ordu Coast, Giresun Mountains, Zigana Mountain, Karadere, Ikizdere and Soganli Mountain, Upper
Chorukh Valley, North Kackars, South Kackars, Hatila Valley, Hopa, Karcal Mountains
KBAs (total area, km²): 16,708.6
KBA coverage (% of CL’s total area): 50.3%
Protected Areas (number): 35
Protected Areas (total area within the CL, km²): 3,393.8
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of CL’s total area): 10.2%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the CL): 20.2%
Areas under International Conventions: one Biosphere Reserve (Cam ili, Turkey)
Main habitats: mixed relict Colchic forests, temperate broad-leaved forests, high mountain krumholtz,
grasslands, m eadows and thickets.
Principal fauna species: relict and endem ic Caucasian Salam ander, Red Deer, Northern Cham ois, Brown
Bear, European Lynx, various raptor species.
Important phenomena: the highest level of mean annual precipitation in the Caucasus (up to 4,500 mm);
evolutionary phenomena of Colchic Forest also classified as Temperate Rainforest: contains the highest levels
of woody plant diversity in the region with a large percentage of endem ic and relic species; one of the m ost
im portant sites of raptor’s autum n m igration (so called Batum i Bottleneck, at the Black Sea cost).
Basis for delineation: importance of Colchic forest habitats, its significant number of IBAs and KBAs.
Threats: infrastructure developm ent (hydropower), tourism , poaching, illegal logging, habitat fragm entation.
Conservation focus: establishm ent of ecological corridors (m ostly for Caucasian Red Deer, Cham ois and
Brown Bear), increasing connectivity, effectiveness of PAs, strengthening the law enforcement and monitoring
capacity, transboundary conservation.
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8. South Caucasus Uplands
Countries: Arm enia, Georgia, Turkey.
Location: in the northern part of the Southern Uplands on the border of Arm enia, Georgia and Turkey.
Central coordinates: 43° 27' 11" E; 41° 2' 55" N; North: 43° 54' 50"E; 41° 32' 8"N; West: 42° 33' 29"E;
41° 30' 19"N; East: 44° 19' 17"E; 41° 12' 45"N; South: 43° 25' 40"E; 40° 48' 60"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 3,008
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 735
Total Area (km²): 5,648.3
Average length (km): 165
Average width (km): 83
KBAs (number): 15
KBAs: Meskheti, Kartsakhi-Sulda Mire, Javakheti, Khanchali Lake, Bugdasheni Lake, Madatapa Lake,
Saghamo Lake, Paravani Lake, Javakheti Range, Lake Arpi, Mount Achkasar, Tashir, Posof Forest, Aktas
Lake, Cildir Lake
KBAs (total area, km²): 3,263.7
KBA coverage (% of CL’s total area): 57.8%
Protected Areas (number): 10
Protected Areas (total area within the CL, km²): 1,274.6
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of CL’s total area): 22.6%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the CL): 39.1%
Areas under International Conventions: one Ram sar Site (Lake Arpi, Arm enia).
Main habitats: high m ountain wetlands with lakes of volcanic origin, grasslands, m eadows and steppes,
rem nants of pine forests and krom holtz.
Principal fauna species: various bird species.
Important phenomena: one of the three im portant m igratory corridors for birds in the Caucasus with
sites of significant congregations of waterfowl.
Basis for delineation: im portance for m igratory birds, its num ber of IBAs and KBAs.
Threats: infrastructure developm ent (hydropower, roads), unsustainable water m anagem ent, poaching of
birds and overgrazing, habitat fragm entation.
Conservation focus: increasing connectivity, effectiveness of PAs, strengthening law enforcement and
m onitoring capacity, transboundary conservation.
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9. Sarikamish-Maku
Countries: Turkey, Iran, Arm enia
Location: southern part of the Southern Uplands on the border of Turkey, Iran and Arm enia, along the
southern border of the Caucasus.
Central coordinates: 43° 3' 38" E; 40° 8' 31" N; North: 43° 29' 56"E; 40° 10' 26"N; West: 41° 10' 25"E;
39° 37' 11"N; East: 44° 58' 48"E; 39° 26' 57"N; South: 44° 26' 4"E; 38° 22' 41"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 5,165
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 784
Total Area (km²): 20,904.8
Average length (km): 345
Average width (km): 178
KBAs (number): 12
KBAs: Palandoken Mountain, Bingol Mountains, Karasu Plain, Aras Valley, Igdir Plain, Agri Mountain,
Dogubeyazit Marshes, Tendurek Mountain, Eastern Van Mountains, Maku and Iran West Border, Maku,
Agh-Gol
KBAs (total area, km²): 8,774.8
KBA coverage (% of CL’s total area): 42%
Protected Areas (number): 4
Protected Areas (total area km² within the CL): 1,333.8
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of CL’s total area): 6.4%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the CL): 13.1%
Areas under International Conventions: no.
Main habitats: m ountain steppes, thornbush com m unities and scattered wetlands.
Principal fauna species: Bezoar Goat, Mouflon, Leopard, various bird and reptile species.
Important phenomena: diversity of plant species and vegetation at the Mt. Ararat (Ağri Dağı), the highest
peak in southern Caucasus (5,137 m), including small growth of birch – the most southern border od birch
krom holtz in the Caucasus; bird diversity, including congregations, m ostly along the Ara(k)s river.
Basis for delineation: its significant number of IBAs and KBAs.
Threats: overgrazing, poaching.
Conservation focus: establishment of protected areas, effectiveness of PAs, strengthening the law
enforcem ent and m onitoring capacity, Leopard survey.
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10. Eastern Lesser Caucasus
Countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan (Nakhchivan Region)
Location: in the eastern and south-eastern parts of the Lesser Caucasus Mountain Chain, from northern
border of Armenia with Georgia to Armenia’s and Nakhchivan Region’s (Azerbaijan) borders with Iran.
Central coordinates: 46° 2' 54" E; 39° 11' 39" N; North: 46° 44' 52"E; 43° 2' 38"N; West: 44° 18' 18"E;
42° 29' 22"N; East: 49° 13' 0"E; 40° 46' 42"N; South: 46° 58' 21"E; 41° 22' 19"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 3,550
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 815
Total Area (km²): 15,347.5
Average length (km): 323
Average width (km): 117
KBAs (number): 14
KBAs: Zangezur-Darasham, Aras Reservoir, Sadarak, Northeast, Sevan Ridge, Khosrov Forest, Goravan
Sands, Urts Range, Gndasar, Arpa, Jermuk-Eghegis, Meghri, Tatev, Khndzoresk
KBAs (total area, km²): 9,607.9
KBA coverage (% of CL’s total area): 62.6
Protected Areas (number): 34
Protected Areas (total area within the CL, km²): 3,542
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of CL’s total area): 23.1%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the CL): 36.2%
Areas under International Conventions: two Ram sar sites (Lake Sevan and Khor Virap m arsh); one
European Diplom a Protected Area (Khosrov Forest Reserve, Arm enia).
Main habitats: temperate broad-leaved forests, open Juniper woodlands, mountain steppes and thornbush
com m unities, high m ountain grasslands.
Principal fauna species: Leopard, Bezoar Goat, Mouflon, Brown Bear, various reptile species.
Important phenomena: one of the centres of wild relatives of cultivated plants; the m ost im portant area
for Leopard conservation in the Caucasus (southern part of CL).
Basis for delineation: its significant number of KBAs (with coverage more than 60% of CL’s total area).
Threats: infrastructure developm ent (hydropower, roads), poaching (except Nakhchivan where poaching
ban enacts since 2001), overgrazing and habitat fragmentation.
Conservation focus: establishm ent of ecological corridors (m ostly for Leopard and its prey species)
and increasing connectivity, effectiveness of PAs, strengthening law enforcement and monitoring capacity,
Leopard and its prey species conservation, Red Deer reintroduction.
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11. Iori-Mingachevir
Countries: Azerbaijan, Georgia
Location: central part of Transcaucasian Depression, Iori-Ajinour plateau, south from Eastern Greater
Caucasus on the border between Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Central coordinates: 46° 30' 20" E; 41° 8' 22" N; North: 45° 33' 17"E; 42° 1' 19"N; West: 44° 59' 7"E;
41° 32' 19"N; East: 48° 0' 45"E; 40° 38' 47"N; South: 46° 29' 48"E; 40° 49' 4"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 990
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 82
Total Area (km²): 10,728.6
Average length (km): 273
Average width (km): 88
KBAs (number): 16
KBAs: Alazani Valley, Chachuna-Vashlovani, Iori-Korugi, Iori Plateau, Jandari Lake, Gardabani,
Garayazi, Jandar Lake, Agstapha, Shamkir, Turyanchay, Korchay, Qabirri-Mingachevir, Ajinohur, Ilisu
(Akhar-Bakhar), Ganikh Valley
KBAs (total area, km²): 5,608.7
KBA coverage (% of CL’s total area): 52.3%
Protected Areas (number): 17
Protected Areas (total area within the CL, km²): 1,526.2
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of CL’s total area): 14.2%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the CL): 27.2%
Areas under International Conventions: one European Diplom a Protected Area (Vashlovani National
Park, Georgia).
Main habitats: dry open Pistachio-Juniper woodlands, steppes, semideserts and flood plain forests.
Principal fauna species: Goitered Gazelle, Brown Bear, European Lynx, various bird and reptile species.
Important phenomena: intact arid plateau and foothill habitats with pistachio-juniper woodlands;
significant portion of the floodplain forests in the region; sites with bird congregations.
Basis for delineation: its significant number of KBAs with more than 50% coverage.
Threats: overgrazing, poaching, conversion of lands into agriculture.
Conservation focus: establishm ent of protected areas, ecological corridors (m ostly for Gazelle) and
increasing connectivity, effectiveness of PAs, strengthening the law enforcement and monitoring capacity,
restoration of historic range of Gazelles via translocation from Shirvan National park, transboundary
conservation.
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12. Arasbaran
Countries: Iran
Location: extreme north-western part of Iran at the junction of the Southern Uplands and south-eastern
part of Lesser Caucasus in the west and Talysh-Alborz Mountains in the east, along the Ara(k)s river and
border with Azerbaijan and Armenia in the north.
Central coordinates: 47° 30' 59" E; 39° 7' 32" N; North: 47° 23' 25"E; 39° 28' 7"N; West: 45° 5' 54"E;
38° 55' 21"N; East: 48° 22' 7"E; 39° 22' 53"N; South: 47° 10' 32"E; 38° 40' 8"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 3,358
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 24
Total Area (km²): 13,643.1
Average length (km): 292
Average width (km): 103
KBAs (number): 5
KBAs: Aras Dam Lake, Dizmar-Arasbaran, Kiamaky-Kantal, Marakan, Parsabad
KBAs (total area, km²): 6,650.9
KBA coverage (% of CL’s total area): 48.7%
Protected Areas (number): 6
Protected Areas (total area km² within the CL): 3,845.8
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of CL’s total area): 28.2%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the CL): 52.5%
Areas under International Conventions: one Biosphere Reserve (Arasbaran).
Main habitats: remnants of temperate broad-leaved forests, steppes and wetlands (Ara(k)s river watershed).
Principal fauna species: Leopard, Bezoar Goat, Mouflon, various bird and reptile species.
Important phenomena: one of the m ost im portant areas for Leopard conservation in the region; bird
congregations; the m ost southern Caucasian tem perate forests.
Basis for delineation: its significant number of KBAs with almost 50% coverage.
Threats: overgrazing, poaching, dam and road construction.
Conservation focus: increasing connectivity, effectiveness of PAs, strengthening law enforcement and
m onitoring capacity, restoration of Caucasian Red Deer.
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13. Hyrcan
Countries: Iran, Azerbaijan
Location: Talysh Mountains and western part of Alborz Mountains, along with a section of the Caspian coast.
Central coordinates: 49° 43' 6" E; 37° 5' 19" N; North: 48° 23' 41"E; 39° 10' 26"N; West: 48° 32' 47"E;
37° 58' 21"N; East: 51° 27' 45"E; 36° 40' 32"N; South: 49° 52' 38"E; 36° 47' 14"N
Max. elevation (m above sea level): 4,805
Min. elevation (m above sea level): -19
Total Area (km²): 18,676.6
Average length (km): 410
Average width (km): 129
KBAs (number): 8
KBAs: Hyrkan Forests, Zuvand, Lavandvil, Lisar, Anzali Lagoon, Gashtroodkhan, Sepirud River and
Bujagh, Amirkelayeh
KBAs (total area, km²): 5,957.4
KBA coverage (% of CL’s total area): 31.9%
Protected Areas (number): 17
Protected Areas (total area within the CL, km²): 2,031.6
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of CL’s total area): 10.9%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the CL): 23.6%
Areas under International Conventions: Hyrcanian Forests (within Iranian part) was recently inscribed
on World Heritage list; three Ram sar Sites (Iran).
Main habitats: Hyrcanian refugial broad-leaved forests, temperate broad-leaved forests and woodlands,
high m ountain steppes and grasslands, and partly coastal wetlands.
Principal fauna species: Leopard, Brown Bear, various bird species, sturgeon species.
Important phenomena: evolutionary phenomena of Hyrcanian forests, also classified as temperate
rainforests; some coastal wetlands - important wintering grounds for endangered bird species.
Basis for delineation: im portance of Hyrcanian forests and num ber of IBAs and KBAs.
Threats: unsustainable logging, poaching and partly overfishing of sturgeon species.
Conservation focus: establishment of new protected areas, increasing connectivity, effectiveness of PAs,
strengthening law enforcem ent and m onitoring capacity, Leopard conservation.
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BRID GIN G LAN D SCAPES
A. Likhi
Countries: Georgia
Location: water divider ridge between the Black and Caspian Seas’ basins, connects the Greater and Lesser
Caucasus Mountains in the western part of the Caucasus.
Central coordinates: 43° 36' 26" E; 42° 13' 11" N; North: 43° 40' 23"E; 42° 31' 58"N; West: 43° 31' 2"E;
42° 15' 42"N; East: 43° 56' 16"E; 42° 18' 38"N; South: 43° 15' 46"E; 41° 56' 32"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 2,470
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 759
Total Area (km²): 1,031.8
Average length (km): 82
Average width (km): 33
KBAs (number): 0
Protected Areas (number): 0
Areas under International Conventions: none.
Main habitats: Colchic and tem perate m ixed forests.
Principal fauna species: Brown Bear, European Lynx.
Important phenomena: only natural corridor between Greater and Lesser Caucasus; eastern closing ridge
of Colchic refugia.
Basis for delineation: im portant natural corridor function.
Threats: illegal harvesting of fuelwood, poaching.
Conservation focus: establishm ent of protection regim e.
B. Trialeti-Gombori
Countries: Georgia
Location: central part of the Caucasus, m ostly Trialeti and Gom bori ridges between Western Lesser Caucasus
and Iori-Mingachevir Conservation Landscapes.
Central coordinates: 44° 0' 25" E; 41° 51' 7" N; North: 43° 58' 27"E; 41° 57' 31"N; West: 43° 39' 53"E;
41° 49' 5"N; East: 45° 29' 36"E; 41° 44' 6"N; South: 44° 29' 9"E; 41° 45' 28"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 2,757
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 520
Total Area (km²): 1,972.4
Average length (km): 167
Average width (km): 31
KBAs (number): 1
KBAs: Tbilisi National Park
KBAs (total area, km²): 210.3
KBA coverage (% of BL’s total area): 10.7%
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Protected Areas (number): 2
Protected Areas (total area within the BL, km²): 220.5
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of BL’s total area): 11.2%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the BL): 100%
Areas under International Conventions: none.
Main habitats: temperate broad-leaved and pine forests.
Principal fauna species: Brown Bear.
Important phenomena: Tbilisi National Park is considered as the m ost eastern border of distribution of
som e Colchic relict species.
Basis for delineation: potential ecological corridor function of the area.
Threats: illegal harvesting of fuelwood, poaching.
Conservation focus: establishm ent of protected areas and ecological corridors.
C. Algeti-Loqi
Countries: Georgia
Location: south from central part of Trialeti ridge to border with Arm enia covering southern wings of Trialeti
and northern slopes of Loqi mountain ridge, connects Trialeti-Gombori BL (and trough it Western Lesser
Caucasus) with Eastern Greater Caucasus Conservation Landscape.
Central coordinates: 44° 25' 55" E; 41° 18' 18" N; North: 44° 29' 9" E; 41° 45' 28"N; West: 44° 8' 49"E;
41° 30' 58"N; East: 44° 28' 0"E; 41° 29' 14"N; South: 44° 32' 47"E; 41° 11' 29"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 2,122
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 1,088
Total Area (km²): 1,461.2
Average length (km): 65
Average width (km): 45
KBAs (number): 1
KBAs: Bedeni
KBAs (total area, km²): 139.8
KBA coverage (% of BL’s total area): 9.6%
Protected Areas (number): 2
Protected Areas (total area within the BL, km²): 10.5
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of BL’s total area): 0.7%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the BL): 0
Areas under International Conventions: none.
Main habitats: tem perate m ixed forests, secondary scrublands, steppes and grasslands
Principal fauna species: Brown Bear.
Important phenomena: none.
Basis for delineation: its corridor function.
Threats: illegal harvesting of fuelwood, poaching, overgrazing.
Conservation focus: establishm ent of protected areas and ecological corridors.
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D. Sarikamish-Posof
Countries: Turkey
Location: the largest BL, m ountain ridges and plateaus within Southern Uplands connecting Western Lesser
Caucasus and South Caucasus Uplands CLs with Sarikamish-Maku CL, valleys of Chorukh (Choroki) and Oltu
rivers and between upper Kura river and upper Ara(k)s river
Central coordinates: 42° 2' 47" E; 40° 59' 17" N; North: 42° 30' 9"E; 41° 26' 29"N; West: 41° 44' 54"E;
40° 45' 54"N; East: 43° 2' 1"E; 40° 48' 43"N; South: 42° 35' 37"E; 40° 12' 9"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 3,165
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 753
Total Area (km²): 6,955.2
Average length (km): 140
Average width (km): 102
KBAs (number): 3
KBAs: Yalnizcam Mountains, Allahuekber Mountains, Sarikamis Forests
KBAs (total area, km²): 5,290
KBA coverage (% of BL’s total area): 76.1%
Protected Areas (number): 5
Protected Areas (total area within the BL, km²): 262.1
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of BL’s total area): 3.8%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the BL): 5%
Areas under International Conventions: none.
Main habitats: pine and temperate broad-leaved and mixed forests, fragments of Mediterranean scrublands,
m ountain steppes and grasslands, partly high m ountain wetlands.
Principal fauna species: Bezoar Goat, Northern Cham ois, Brown Bear, European Lynx, Caucasian
Salam ander, various bird species.
Important phenomena: the southernm ost intact pine forests in the region (Sarikam ish National Park).
Basis delineation: importance for migratory waterfowl, its significant number of IBAs and KBAs.
Threats: infrastructure development (oil & gas, roads, tourism), illegal fishing and bird poaching, illegal
logging, habitat fragm entation.
Conservation focus: establishm ent of protected areas and ecological corridors.
E. Aras
Countries: Turkey
Location: m ountainous area from Southern Caucasus Uplands to Igdir Plain, Arpachay (Akhurian) river
valley on the border between Turkey and Armenia, connects South Caucasus Uplands and Sarikamish-Maku
Conservation Landscapes.
Central coordinates: 43° 28' 53" E; 40° 33' 58" N; North: 43° 33' 31"E; 40° 59' 41"N; West: 43°13' 16"E;
40° 32' 50"N; East: 43° 44' 53"E; 40° 40' 36"N; South: 43° 29' 56"E; 40° 10' 27"N;
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Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 2,695
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 1,239
Total Area (km²): 2,523.3
Average length (km): 93
Average width (km): 48
KBAs (number): 2
KBAs: Kuyucuk Lake, Kars Ovasi
KBAs (total area, km²): 298.9
KBA coverage (% of BL’s total area): 11.8%
Protected Areas (number): 3
Protected Areas (total area within the BL, km²): 96.7
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of BL’s total area): 3.8%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the BL): 32.4%
Areas under International Conventions: one Ram sar Site.
Main habitats: m ountain steppes and thornbush com m unities, grasslands, riverside and m ountain
wetlands, lakes/ reservoirs.
Principal fauna species: Bezoar Goat, Brown Bear, various bird species.
Important phenomena: im portant stopover sites of m igrating birds (e.g. Lake Kuyucuk – Ram sar site);
bird congregations; regionally im portant wildlife m igration.
Basis for delineation: its ecological corridor function and im portance for m igratory waterfowl.
Threats: overgrazing, poaching.
Conservation focus: establishm ent of protected areas and ecological corridors.
F. Bazum
Countries: Arm enia
Location: Bazum m ountain ridge in northern Arm enia connecting South Caucasus Uplands and East Lesser
Caucasus Conservation Landscapes.
Central coordinates: 44° 19' 0" E; 40° 56' 58" N; North: 44° 20' 45"E; 41° 0' 29"N; West: 44° 4' 57"E;
40° 59' 30"N; East: 44° 35' 33"E; 40° 53' 1"N; South: 44° 14' 53"E; 40° 53' 28"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 2,992
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 1,400
Total Area (km²): 403.9
Average length (km): 45
Average width (km): 15
KBAs (number): 0
Protected Areas (number): 1
Protected Areas (total area within the BL, km²): 26.5
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Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of BL’s total area): 6.6%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the BL): 0
Areas under International Conventions: none.
Main habitats: mountain steppes and high mountain grasslands, partly temperate broad-leaved forests.
Principal fauna species: Brown Bear, various reptile diversity.
Important phenomena: none.
Basis for delineation: its corridor function.
Threats: poaching, illegal fuelwood harvesting.
Conservation focus: establishm ent of protected areas and ecological corridors.
G. Aragats
Countries: Arm enia
Location: central part of Armenia, serves as bridge between Eastern Lesser Caucasus and Sarikamish-Maku
Conservation Landscapes; within this BL is located Mt. Aragats, the highest peak in Arm enia.
Central coordinates: 43° 55' 48" E; 40° 18' 50" N; North: 44° 12' 10"E; 40° 34' 52"N; West: 43°41' 28"E;
40° 21' 25"N; East: 44° 32' 25"E; 40° 24' 32"N; South: 43° 52' 53"E; 40° 2' 37"N
Maximal elevation (m above sea level): 4,090
Minimal elevation (m above sea level): 962
Total Area (km²): 1,179.3
Average length (km): 83
Average width (km): 40
KBAs (number): 3
KBAs: Mount Ara, Aragats, Armavir (partially)
KBAs (total area, km²): 728.1
KBA coverage (% of CL’s total area): 61.7%
Protected Areas (number): 1
Protected Areas (total area within the BL, km²): 3.0
Protected Areas coverage 1 (% of BL’s total area): 0.3%
Protected Areas coverage 2 (% of total area of KBAs within the BL): 0.4%
Areas under International Conventions: none.
Main habitats: m ountain steppes and high m ountain grasslands, partly wetlands.
Principal fauna species: various bird and reptile species.
Important phenomena: none.
Basis for delineation: its corridor function.
Threats: poaching.
Conservation focus: establishm ent of protected areas and ecological corridors.
176
Annex 5: Map of Key Biodiversity Areas, and Conservation and Bridging Landscapes
Key Biodiversity Areas:
Ru s s ia
1. Abrausky Peninsula
2. Tamanskiy
3. Delta Kuban
4. Krimsky
5. Primorsko-Akhtarsk Salt Lakes
6. Lower reaches of the Beisug and
Chelbas Rivers
7. Lower Ei
8. Don Delta
9. Novoberezanskiy
10. Sredne-Labinskiy
11. Novotroitskiy
12. Veselovskoye Reservoir
13. Manych-Gudilo Lake
14. Dadynskiye Lake
15. Irgakliskaya Forest Area
16. Kizlyar Bay
17. Tarumovsky
18. Argakhanskiy
19. Yangiyurtovskiy-Sulakskaya
20. Dagestanskiy (Sarykumskiy
Barkhan)
21. Melishtinskiy
22. Kayakentsky-Deshlagarsky
23. Papas (Adji) Lake
24. Itsari
25. Samurskiy
26. Berkubinsky
27. Shalbuzdag
28. Laman-Kam Area
29. Tlyaratinsky
30. Kosobsko-Kelebsky
31. Bezhtinskiy
32. Khunzakhskiy
33. Kezenoi-Am (Lake Eizenam)
Basin
34. Erzi
35. Ingushskiy
36. Severno-Osetinsky-Tseiskiy
37. Alania
38. Kabardino-Balkarskiy
39. Kara-Su Sanctuary
40. Baksan Gorge
41. Prielbrusie
42. Gorge of the Eshkakon and
Malka Rivers
43. Surrounding of Kislovodsk
44. Upstreams of the Podkumok
and Kuma Rivers
45. Dautskiy
46. Teberdinksi-Marukhskiy
47. Upstreams of the Urup River
48. Akhmet-Skala Ridge
49. Damkhurtskiy
50. Psebay
51. Gorge of the White River
52. Caucasian
53. Northern Black Sea Region
54. Sochinsky
Ge o rgia
55. Arabika
56. Ritsa
57. Bzipi
58. Range Bzipi
59. Bichvinta-Miusera
60. Pskhu-Gumista
61. Abkhazia
62. Svaneti (2)
63. Range Kodori
64. Lake Bebesiri
65. Svaneti (1)
66. Racha
67. Askhi Massif
68. Khvamli
69. Sataplia
70. Kolkheti (Aquatory)
71. Enguri River
72. Khobi River
73. Kolkheti
74. Rioni River
75. Supsa River
76. Batumi 1
77. Chorokhi-Sarpi
78. Batumi 2
79. Machakhela
80. Shavsheti Range (2)
81. Mtirala-Kintrishi
82. Bakhmaro
83. Goderdzi Pass
84. Shavsheti Range (1)
85. Borjomi-Kharagauli
86. Nedzvi
87. Trialeti Range
88. Ktsia-Tabatskuri
89. Tetrobi
90. Meskheti
91. Kartsakhi-Sulda Mire
92. Javakheti
93. Khanchali Lake
94. Bugdasheni Lake
95. Madatapa Lake
96. Saghamo Lake
97. Paravani Lake
98. Javakheti Range
99. Bedeni
100. Kvernaki Ridge
101. Tbilisi National Park
102. Kazbegi
103. Pshav-Khevsureti
104. Tusheti
105. Babaneuri
106. Eastern Caucasus
107. Lagodekhi
108. Alazani Valley
109. Artsivi Gorge
110. Chachuna-Vashlovani
111. Iori-Korugi
112. Iori Plateau
113. Jandari Lake
114. Gardabani
Aze rbaijan
115. Garayazi
116. Jandar Lake
117. Agstapha
118. Shamkir
119. Shortepe
120. Gyzilja
121. Goy-Gol
122. Lachin
123. Gubadli
124. Dashalty
125. Orta Kur Akhmazy
126. Turyanchay
127. Korchay
128. Qabirri-Mingachevir
129. Ajinohur
130. Ilisu (Akhar-Bakhar)
131. Sheki
132. Ganikh Valley
133. Zagatala
134. Ilisu-Gakh
135. Shahdag
136. Shahdag Mountain (1)
137. Shahdag Mountain (2)
138. Samur-Yalama-Gusar
139. Aghzibir Lakes
140. Altyaghach
141. Garghabazar and Gush-Gaya
Mountains
142. Absheron Archipelago and
Pirallahi Bay
143. Gyrmyzygol Lake
144. Factory Shelf
145. Gobustan
146. Alat Bay-Baku Archipelago (1)
147. Alat Bay-Baku Archipelago (2)
148. Alat Bay-Baku Archipelago (3)
149. Alat Bay-Baku Archipelago (4)
150. Alat Bay-Baku Archipelago (5)
151. Alat Bay-Baku Archipelago (6)
152. Shirvan
153. Kura Delta
154. Gizilaghach
155. Hyrkan Forests
156. Zuvand
157. Mahmud-Chala Lake
158. Araz-Bahramtepe
159. Ag-Gol-Sarisu
160. Zangezur-Darasham
161. Aras Reservoir
162. Sadarak
Arm e n ia
163. Lake Arpi
164. Mount Achkasar
165. Tashir
166. Jajur
167. Akhuryan Reservoir
168. Armavir
169. Aragats
170. Mount Ara
171. Northeast
172. Sevan Ridge
173. Lake Sevan
174. Khosrov Forest
175. Khor Virap
176. Armash Fish Ponds
177. Goravan Sands
178. Urts Range
179. Gndasar
180. Arpa
181. Jermuk-Eghegis
182. Meghri
183. Tatev
184. Khndzoresk
Tu rke y
185. Giresun and Ordu Coast
186. Giresun Mountains
187. Zigana Mountain
188. Karadere
189. Ikizdere and Soganli
Mountain
190. Upper Chorukh Valley
191. North Kackars
192. South Kackars
193. Hatila Valley
194. Hopa
195. Karcal Mountains
196. Yalnizcam Mountains
197. Posof Forest
198. Ardahan Plain and Forest
199. Aktas Lake
200. Cildir Lake
201. Kuyucuk Lake
202. Kars Ovasi
203. Allahuekber Mountains
204. Sarikamish Forests
205. Olur-Oltu Steppe
206. Tortum Basin
207. Kop Mountain
208. Palandoken Mountain
209. Bingol Mountains
210. Karasu Plain
211. Aras Valley
212. Igdir Plain
213. Agri Mountain
214. Dogubeyazit Marshes
215. Tendurek Mountain
216. Eastern Van Mountains
Iran
217. Maku and Iran West Border
218. Maku
219. Agh-Gol
220. Aras Dam Lake
221. Marakan
222. Kiamaky-Kantal
223. Dizmar-Arasbaran
224. Parsabad
225. Mountain Sahand-Sabalan
226. Lavandvil
227. Lisar
228. Anzali Lagoon
229. Gashtroodkhan
230. Sepirud River and Bujagh
231. Amirkelayeh
Conservation Landscapes:
Bridging Landscapes:
1 - Kuma-Manych
2 - Western Greater Caucasus
3 - Central Greater Caucasus
4 - Eastern Greater Caucasus
5 - Caspian
6 - Kolkheti
7 - Western Lesser Caucasus
A - Likhi
B - Trialeti-Gombori
C - Algeti-Loqi
D - Sarikamish-Posof
E - Aras
F - Bazum
G - Aragats
8 - South Caucasus Uplands
9 - Sarikamish-Maku
10 - Eastern Lesser Caucasus
11 - Iori-Mingachevir
12 - Arasbaran
13 - Hyrcan