CBD Fourth National Report - Azerbaijan (English version)

Country Study on Biodiversity and Fourth National Report
The Republic of Azerbaijan
Land is also affected by the uncontrolled use of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides on a
large scale , and such habitat modification may reduce biodiversity. In recent years there has
been an increase in uncontrolled import of these chemicals into the Republic. There is also
little awareness among farmers on the correct use of these chemicals. Overuse can cause a
number of negative effects in natural communities and can threaten key species, especially
those at the top of food chains. Over recent years, due to the decentralisation and privatisation
of companies, and an increase in prices, the level of fertilizer use has decreased. At present
90-95 % of fertilizers used are nitrogenous, as other types are too expensive.
Habitat Fragmentation
The fragmentation of ecosystems in Azerbaijan is prevalent in several ecosystems:
Forests. The unavailability of natural gas, and other fuels has meant that some communities
are using wood as their major source of fuel. Wood is taken from surrounding forests, and as
well as destabilising soil complexes this unsustainable cutting fragments the forest
ecosystems. In other parts of the country forests are being fragmented as economically
valuable timber species (such as nut and oak) are illegally harvested at an unsustainable level.
However improvement of some remote habitats with gas provision, prohibition of any use of
forest resources by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and propaganda on usage
of alternative energy sources among the population led to a positive change in this sphere.
• Grasslands. Converting lowland grassy ecosystems into agricultural land, through
ploughing and scrub removal is fragmenting the remaining area of natural steppes. This is
also having a significant impact on the population of birds that rely on these unique
ecosystems. Many of the steppe ecosystems are also fragmented by irrigation channels
and associated constructions (particularly the Kura-Araz plain).
• Rivers. The construction of hydrological dams on the major rivers flowing into the
Caspian Sea, has created obstacles that effectively fragment the riverine habitat for some
species (for example, as a result of the construction of the Mingachevir and Bahramtapa
reservoirs on the Kura and Araz rivers). This has reduced the breeding areas for sturgeons
because they are unable to pass the dams to reach breeding areas upstream and has
resulted in a decrease in their population.
The arid climate of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, characterized by extreme
temperatures and low rainfall, makes the land increasingly fragile with respect to
anthropogenic impacts (from agricultural and industrial uses), and water management
(including irrigation) has had particular impacts on the territory. Misuse of pastures, forests
and agricultural lands has reduced their productivity.
Some areas of land have been significantly degraded, including wide areas of grassland
habitat along the Araz River, water bodies, forests, scrub and pasturelands. Salination has
affected large areas of grassland in Nakhichevan (up to 10,000 ha), particularly in the districts
of Sadarak and Julfa. Little efforts have been made to restore these lands over recent years,
and as a result these lands are no longer suitable for agriculture and are reverting to marshes.
Modern irrigation techniques would need needed in order to recover these lands.
1.1.6.2. Over-use of biological and natural resources
Overgrazing of grasslands and pastures
During Soviet times, land was owned by the State, and as such, the people did not view the
land as theirs to protect. This resulted in the overgrazing of grasslands and plains in many
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2009