The Khor Virap State Sanctuary is a wetland and protected area that was established within the administrative borders of Pokr Vedi village of the Ararat Province of Armenia, on the left bank of the Khor Virap Church of the Arax River and on 50.28 hectares of moist land of the right-hand side of Artashat, formerly the capital of Armenia.
Main purpose
The main purpose of the organization of the Sanctuary is to ensure the preservation, normal development, reproduction and sustainable use of the ecosystem of wetlands of international significance, flora and fauna, especially for waterfowl and their habitats, rare plant species and their habitats. The specially protected objects of the Sanctuary area are the unique wildlife and water-swamp flora of the ecosystem of the Arax wetlands.[2]
The Falcaria falcarioides are species being in a critical state. They grow in the lower mountainous belt, on the height of 800–900 meters above the sea level, on saline soils, in marshlands and moist meadows. Flowering in June, fruiting in July.
Inula aucheriana
Inula aucheriana is endangered species. Perennial herb 15–60 cm, usually covered by chondrose verrucose tubercles. Rhizome nodose. Leaves slightly fleshy. Capitula 5–8 mm in diameter, gathered in lax raceme. Ligulate flowers with 1–4 staminodia. Achenes glabrous or sparsely pilose. Grows in lower mountain belt, at the altitudes of 800–1100 meters above sea level. Flowering from July to August, fruiting from August to September.
Tamarix octandra
Tamarix octandra is an endangered species. It is a tree with a height of 2–2.5 meters, with a yellow-brown peat. It grows in the lower mountainous belt, at a height of 700–1100 meters above sea level. It flowers in May and fruits in June.[3]
Importance
The Khor Virap water-swamp area is of great importance as a habitat for a number of watering and waterfowl birds and as a resting place during the seasonal flight of birds. In particular, marbled duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris) and white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala) live here among the world-endangered birds, while the Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) during the flight.
The territories with the above-mentioned preconditions are considered as the areas subject to the priority inclusion in the list of moist areas of international importance of the Convention (Ramsar, 1971) on “Moist Territories having International Importance, mainly as Habitat for waterfowl birds”.
The water-swamp area creates a unique moist microclimate that is evidenced by dry climatic conditions during the summer drought and even in winter when the green color of the water-swamp flora gives a special beauty to the environment.
Thus, the Khor Virap water-swamp area is distinguished by its high ecological, scientific and recreational significance, the loss of which, in particular, as an area for waterfowl birds, will cause irreversible damage to Armenia's biodiversity.
