National Parks
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Natural Monuments
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Plant and Animal Life
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Biosphere Reserves
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Caves
Natural Monuments
Natural monuments have been established to protect unique and typical natural sites of academic, historic or cultural importance (following a law on specially protected areas passed in 1991). Such sites are protected from disturbance, to avoid loss of small areas of high international importance or of aesthetic value. Each site is considered independently and an appropriate agency is specified for protection. Some monuments include living trees, such as the wide-leaf pines around Tsaghkavan and ancient walnuts in Shamb (Zangezur province), "King's" oak (35m height, 1,7m diameter), rare and a Judas tree (2000 th y.). Other natural monuments include volcanic formations, various mountain lakes, mineral springs, waterfalls and caves. However, natural monuments are not under full legal protection, and inventory and identification procedures are underdeveloped. Many natural monuments are being degraded and destroyed. These sites are considered to be the most threatened within the protected areas system.
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Plant and Animal Life
The broken relief of Armenia, together with the fact that its highland lies at the junction of various biogeography regions, has produced a great variety of landscapes. Though a small country, Armenia boasts more plant species (in excess of 3,000) than the vast Russian Plain. There are five altitudinal vegetation zones: semidesert, steppe, forest, alpine meadow, and high-altitude tundra.
The semidesert landscape, ascending to an elevation of 4,300 to 4,600 feet, consists of a slightly rolling plain covered with scanty vegetation, mostly sagebrush. The vegetation includes drought-resisting plants such as juniper, sloe, dog rose, and honeysuckle. The boar, wildcat, jackal, adder, gurza (a venomous snake), scorpion, and, more rarely, the leopard inhabit this region.
Steppes predominate in Armenia. They start at altitudes of 4,300 to 4,600 feet, and in the northeast they ascend to 6,200 to 6,600 feet. In the central region they reach 6,600 to 7,200 feet and in the south are found as high as 7,900 to 8,200 feet. In the lower altitudes the steppes are covered with drought-resistant grasses, while the mountain slopes are overgrown with thorny bushes and juniper.
The forest zone lies in the southeast of Armenia, at altitudes of 6,200 to 6,600 feet, where the humidity is considerable, and also in the northeast, at altitudes of 7,200 to 7,900 feet. Occupying nearly one-tenth of Armenia, the northeastern forests are largely beech. Oak forests predominate in the southeastern regions, where the climate is drier, and in the lower part of the forest zone hackberry, pistachio, honeysuckle, and dogwood grow. The animal kingdom is represented by the Syrian bear, wildcat, lynx, and squirrel. Birds—woodcock, robin, warbler, titmouse, and woodpecker—are numerous.
The alpine zone lies above 6,600 feet, with stunted grass providing good summer pastures. The fauna is rich; the abundant birdlife includes the mountain turkey, horned lark, and bearded vulture, while the mountains also harbor the bezoar goat and the mountain sheep, or mouflon.
Finally, the alpine tundra, with its scant cushion plants, covers only limited mountain areas and solitary peaks.
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Biosphere Reserves
State Reserves are established to provide high levels of protection for important habitats and species, and human use within reserves is restricted to scientific research. State Reserves therefore represent strict nature reserves, with respect to IUCN criteria. The Ministry of Nature Protection has overall responsibility for State Reserves, and manages two reserves (Erebuni and Sev Lich). Three more reserves (Dilijan, Shikahogh and Khosrov) are managed by 'Hayantar' State Enterprise (under the authority of the Ministry of Nature Protection). State Reservations were established to protect a range of rare and important habitats and species in Armenia, and to improve the balance between economic use and nature protection in the country. In reservations, some economic activities are allowed, although these are expected to be regulated to prevent ecological damage. They manage by the Ministry of Nature Protection Ministry of Agriculture, and one is managed by the National Academy of Science. Today, the only status National Park in Armenia was established in 1981 to protect Lake Sevan and the surrounding areas. But at present time a question about establishment of National Parks in Dilijan, Vayots Dzor provinces are almost completed. A network of specially protected areas was first established in Armenia in 1958 to protect ecosystems, habitats and rare, endemic and threatened species. There are currently five State Reserves, 22 State Reservations and one national park registered that together cover around 311,000 ha, or 10% of the surface of the country. Around 60% of Armenian species are represented within the protected area network; however there is a bias towards forest habitats, and a need to expand the system to include better representation of other ecosystems. State Reservations were established to protect a range of rare and important habitats and species in Armenia, and to improve the balance between economic use and nature protection in the country. In reservations, some economic activities are allowed, although these are expected to be regulated to prevent ecological damage.
National Parks and Preserves:
SEVAN: Sevan National Park, founded in 1978.
VAYOTS DZOR: Herher, Jermuk, Yeghegnadzor
SYUNIK: Shikahogh Reserve, Sosu Purak, Baghakar, Goris
LORI: Mrtavarden, Margahovit, Giulagarak
TAVOUSH: Dilijan Reserve, Arjatkhnel, Ijevan.
KOTAIK: Garni, Gerhard, Erebuni Reserve
ARARAT: Khosrov National Park founded in 1958.
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Khosrov Reserve was established in 1958 to cover one of two forests. It takes its name from King Khosrov II Kodak (Short), who ordered in III C the planting of a massive forest for royal hunt at Ararat Valley. The summer residence of Armenian Kings was situated here at Azat River canyon edge, providing one of the most picturesque views to observer. The Khosrov forest lies south, and is artificial in origin. The forest is now a national park, and its flora and fauna protected. Nowadays the major part of the Preserve is located in the area of Geghama Mountain ridge. The importance of conserving the Khosrov Forest is unquestionable, and aside from being an important site for scientific research, the Reserve also serves as the "lungs" for the city of Yerevan and prevents many of rivers running through central Armenia from decimation. The importance of the Khosrov Forest extends beyond the local margins and plays a significant role in the entire ecology of the region. It is the only Caucasian reserve with such diversity of climatic areas and plant types. Fauna: Armenian mouflon, Bezoar goat, Usurian deer, brown bear, wild boar, fox, rabbit, leopard, lynx, marten, wolf, black kite, lammergeyer, white-head griffon, eagle, wild dove, gull. Khosrov reserve includes numerous natural attractions and historical monuments: alpine meadows, ancient oaks, unique flowers, mysterious caves, shady canyons and the huge "rock organs" in Garni gorge.
Garni Gorge is situated 23 km east of Yerevan, Armenia, just below the village with the same name, and is carved out by where the Goght River runs through. On a promontory above the gorge the 1st century AD Garni temple can be seen. Along the side of the gorge are cliff walls of well preserved basalt columns.The one that makes obligatory to visit Garni, should take the opportunity to visit Garni gorge. But it is only possible for those who can walk down to the bottom of gorge. At the bottom you can see some magnificent sheer vertical cliffs, which look man-made. It is nice and green with a stream and an XI c. bridge.
Dilijan Reserve is found in the north part of Armenia and is one of the most scenic landscapes in the Republic. It founded in 1958. The main areas for conservation are woods and lakes of Pambak, Areguni, and Gugark Ridges, of which the most beautiful is Parz Lake at altitude of 1400 m above sea level amidst a thick forest. The reason to establish the reserve in 1958 was to protect beech and oak communities of Caucasus misfile forest type, mountain and forest lakes, mineral water springs, unique Relict Park. There are numerous historical-architectural monuments and archeological sites on the territory of the Preserve. These include Goshavank and the pearl of medieval architecture - Haghartsin Monastery of XIIICE.
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| Khosrov |
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| Garni Gorge |
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| Dilijan |
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| Mozrov |
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Caves
There are a number of regions in Armenia with caves that anybody can enjoy, many of which have been inhabited. Khndzoresk, the cliffs of Saghmosavank and countless other places as well have the shallow caves, many of which were lived in before. Noravank canyon in Vayots Dzor province the south part of Armenia, and is rich in flora, medicinal herbs, wild fruit, springs and animals. There is also a national park containing caves of particular speleological interest. There are caverns such as Mozrov, Arjeri and Magili. Mozrov caverns are located near Yeghegnadzor town, Armenia. The caverns are 300m in depth and have stunning formations. These caverns are generally closed to the public, due to problems with vandalism by visitors, including the destruction of stalactites and stalagmites. About 6.4 km after Areni Village, just before the Arpi sign, the first road turning right to cross the Arpa r, leads in 7.6 km to an old guardhouse on the left and, immediately beyond on the right beside the road, the tin-covered entrance to the Mozrov cave. Discovered in the 1970s during road building and still not completely mapped, this cave is deep and full of spectacular colored stalagmite and stalactite formations. Entrance is perilous, through a hole in the cover and down a steep slope, and should not be attempted without an experienced caver. The Arji cave and several others are in the same general area. Arjer Cave or "Bear" caverns are located near Yeghegnadzor town. They are very raw and should be entered with a guide. The caverns are 3km in depth and have nice formations. The Magil Caves are 1.7km deep and are full of many narrow passages and tunnels, as well as some bats and stalactites. The entrance is easy to reach from the road leading to Noravank Monastery, and is marked with a metal wire hanging down the tunnel to help you climb in. The bats often sleep close to the entrance, hanging in large communities. Going more than a room or two into the caverns is dangerous for inexperienced or unguided spelunkers. You can easily get lost in this labyrinth if you do not know what you are doing. You should wear old clothes that cover your entire body since you will often be crawling and head protection is also not a bad idea. Completely covering yourself will also keep you warm in the perennially cool inside temperature, with one spot having a constant strong cold wind. There are stalactites and stalagmites in Magil Cave, but they are not very remarkable. The rooms in the caverns tend to be narrow, usually no more than a few meters wide. The height and length of the rooms however is often very large. You should bring a couple of flashlights and some spare batteries just to be safe. A kilometer south past Areni is the turnoff right for Noravank Monastery and Magil Cave (Magili Karandzav), across the bridge and through a narrow gorge, you can just barely see the small entry tunnel on your left next to the large gash in the rocks.
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