CBD Fourth National Report - Azerbaijan (English version)

Country Study on Biodiversity and Fourth National Report
The Republic of Azerbaijan
1.1.4.2. Rare, endemic or threatened plant communities and habitats
In Azerbaijan, a number of specific habitats or plant communities are rare or threatened, for
example:
1. Psammophytic coastal plant community (Astragalus bakuensis, Melilotus caspicus,
Calligonum bakuensis, Nitradia schoberi);
2. Xerophytic plant communities in Nakchivan Autonomus Republic near the village of
Badanli and in Shabuz region (Dorema glabrum, Iris lycotis, Astragalus badamlensis,
Thymus collinus);
3. Wetland communities around Akushchay and Sarisu Lakes (Trapa hyrcana, Nelumbo
caspica, Nymphaeca alba,, N. peltata);
4. Dry forest communities in Azerbaijan and Nakchivan (Pistacia mutica, Celtis
caucasica, Punica granatum, Rhus coriaria, Juniperus oblonga, J. polycarpus, J.
sabina, J. depressa, J. foetidissima);
5. Eldar pine (Pinus eldarica) forest is only found on the Eldar plain in the Samukh
region, and the oak forests (Quercus longipes) around the Nabran region are
threatened;
6. Humid, sub-tropical forest, supporting the rare and threatened iron tree (Parrotia
persica), is unique to the Hyrcan forest of Lenkoran region in Talysh province;
7. Rare and threatened alpine meadows around the lakes of Gey-gol and Maral-gol are
typified by the lily Lilium ledebourii.
Steppe communities dominated by Ferula oopoda and by Colutea comarovii are globally
unique for the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic. In the mountain pastures of the Shahbuz
region a rare and unique plant community is dominated by the endemic species Rheum ribes.
1.1.5. Status review of species
1.1.5.1. Microorganisms
Although there is little information on the diversity of micro-organisms in Azerbaijan, there
are estimated to be between 1,200 and 1,250 species, but to date no endemic micro-organisms
have been described. No specific measures are in place for the protection of microorganisms.
As in the rest of Azerbaijan, there is a lack of knowledge about the diversity of
microorganisms present in the Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan. The presence of
bacteria (Monera) is clear, particularly from their impacts through diseases in humans,
animals and plants, and in their use in food production and processing (such as Lactobacillus
etc.), and in healthcare (e. g. Penicillium). Microorganism cultures are kept in a number of
institutes and epidemiological stations in the region.
1.1.5.2. Protozoa
Protozoa are cellular organisms that live either independently, or as part of a larger organism.
Protozoa provide many varied and essential roles in an ecosystem, for example providing
food for fish larvae and fry, and increasing soil fertility. They are also the pathogens of
human and animal diseases. The protozoa described in Azerbaijan are distributed from the
following groups:
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