Landscape Zones

Forests

The forest zone in Armenia occupies two main massifs: one is situated in northern and north-western parts of the country whilst the other is in the south-east. Other generally less significant and isolated areas of forest are also found in other parts of the country.

The northern and western massif includes forests on Kechut Mountains (Javakheti Range), Areguni Range, Bazoom Range and its numerous northern branches, while extensive forests cover the northward extending branches of Googarats and Miapor Ranges.

Significantly less extensively forested areas isolated and cut off from the main massifs are found on the slopes of Aragats Mt and eastwards and north-eastwards on Tsaghkunyats Range, Arailer Mt and in Aghveraniget River basin. In the Lake Sevan basin, forests are found on the southern slopes of Areguni and Sevan Ranges, and these are apparently remnants of the more extensive ancient forests the formerly covered the basin. Such relict forests are also found on southern slopes of the Geghama Range in the upper reaches of the Azat and Vedi Rivers, which were probably once connected to the Lake Sevan basin forests. Forested islands are present on the northern branches of Vaik Range.

The south-eastern massif covers slopes of Bargooshat and Meghri Ranges.

In Armenia, deciduous trees are distributed mainly between 550 - 2600 m a.s.l. Deciduous forests are subdivided into a few types: oak, beech, hornbeam, mixed, park and gallery woodlands. Within these main types of woodland depending on the predominant tree species there are smaller areas covered with Corylus, Acer, Fraxinus, Tilia, Betula, feral fruit-trees.

The deciduous forest zone in northern Armenia is characterized by moderate annual temperature oscillations (22-24°C), relatively low average annual temperature and 400-500 mm of annual precipitation. In the forests of south-eastern Armenia conditions are drier and the upper timberline is situated at greater altitude than in the north of the country.

Coniferous forests are far less extensive in Armenia than deciduous. Pine forests are found up to 1650 m a.s.l. and these are almost always patches within deciduous forests and include undergrowth of deciduous trees and shrubs. Pure pinewoods are rarely encountered. Juniper forests are considerably more widespread and are found between 500 - 1900 m a.s.l. This type of forest is characterized by significant aridity. Xerophilous juniper woodlands in Armenia cover extensive areas of the southern slopes of Sevan Range, Tsaghkunyats Range branches, Vaik and Zangezur Ranges and Aghstev River valley. Small and isolated areas of this type of woodland are commonly found in mountains throughout southern Armenia.

Two areas of deciduous woodland in Tavush Province. Characteristic breeding birds here are Lesser Spotted and Booted Eagles, Tawny Owl, Black, Greeen, Great, Middle and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, 'Iranian' Common Redstrart, European Chiffchaff and Green Warbler, Red-breasted and Semi-collared Flycatchers and Hawfinch.

Area of gallery forest in Ararat Province. Breeding birds here include Levant Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Scops Owl, Syrian Woodpecker, Common Nightingale, Cetti's Warbler, Penduline Tit and Oriole.

Two areas of open juniper woodland in Ararat Province. Typical breeding birds here are Black Vulture, Nightjar, Ring Ouzel, Rock Bunting and, in southern Armenia, Sombre Tit.