The Annotated Ramsar List: Armenia

Ramsar logo The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Armenia

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

ARMENIA / ARMENIE

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The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Armenia on 6 November 1993. Armenia presently has 2 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 492,239 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Lake Arpi. 06/07/93; 3,139 ha; 41º03’N 043º37’E. A freshwater lake high in the Ashotzk mountains, fed by small rivers, springs and melt-water and fringed by marshy areas giving way to meadows and meadow-steppe. The area is of botanical importance, supporting several species rare in Armenia. Numerous species of waterbirds occur and include species endangered in Armenia or globally threatened. The site supports a diversity of mammals and fish. Artificial increase in lake levels has replaced a formerly rich aquatic vegetation with reedbeds. Ramsar site no. 621. Most recent RIS information: 1997.

Lake Sevan. 06/07/93; 489,100 ha; 40º24’N 045º17’E. Ornithological Preserve, National Park. One of the largest freshwater, alpine wetlands in the world. Sevan lies at 2,000m above sea level and is surrounded by mountains. 1,507 plant species have been recorded, including rare and endemic species. The site is important for nesting and staging numerous species of waterbirds, several of which are endangered in Armenia. Other fauna present include 36 mammal, four amphibian, 18 reptile and five fish species. The lake is of paramount importance as a drinking water supply for Yerevan and is used for energy production, agriculture, industry, and recreation. Ramsar site no. 620. Most recent RIS information: 1998.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 4 January 2000, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.