Butterfly watching
Butterfly watching is a relatively new branch of ecotourism, where the main object of observations are butterflies and moths. Currently, there is a steady increase in the number butterfly-watchers and enthusiasts in most developed countries. For example, in the UK, there are about 25,000 butterfly-watchers and more than 1.5 mln enthusiasts, one way or another involved in the observations of butterflies and their monitoring. Such a great number of fans is not left unnoticed by the tour operators specializing in implementation of wildlife tours. The key to successful butterfly tour is a sufficient number of new species, diversity of habitats, compactness of local movements and the presence of accompanying infrastructure.
It should be noted that Armenia, in our opinion, meets most of these requirements because of the presented 236 species, more than half are desirable for most of butterfly-watchers (Species). Fairly small area and an extensive branchy system of roads allows in a relatively short period of time (from seven to ten days) observation of wide range of habitats from arid semi-deserts to humid subalpine meadows. However, the lack of summarizing information resources reflecting the species composition of butterflies, comfortable and at the same time saturated routes, knowledgeable and skilled guides - are deterrents to development of this branch of ecotourism, which is possible to overcome via developing of the infrastructure in protected areas and in neighboring communities (Approach: area assessment and promotion). At current the first set of descriptions of butterfly watching trails is available online.
It should be noted that Armenia, in our opinion, meets most of these requirements because of the presented 236 species, more than half are desirable for most of butterfly-watchers (Species). Fairly small area and an extensive branchy system of roads allows in a relatively short period of time (from seven to ten days) observation of wide range of habitats from arid semi-deserts to humid subalpine meadows. However, the lack of summarizing information resources reflecting the species composition of butterflies, comfortable and at the same time saturated routes, knowledgeable and skilled guides - are deterrents to development of this branch of ecotourism, which is possible to overcome via developing of the infrastructure in protected areas and in neighboring communities (Approach: area assessment and promotion). At current the first set of descriptions of butterfly watching trails is available online.
Flight periods of Butterflies in Armenia
Provinces
The relief of the
Armenian Highlands with an elevation range of 375 to 4090 m above sea level,
creates favorable conditions for the formation of a wide range of habitats.
They include such types as wormwood, variegated, and halophytic semidesert,
impassable brushwoods, tragacanth,
esparcet and grass-forb steppes, sub-alpine meadows, alpine carpets, coniferous woodlands,
deciduous forests, complemented by cliffs, talus, swamps and floodplains.
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Aragatsotn Province is
located in the central part of Armenia and includes the highest mountain in
Armenia - Aragats. Here the
mountain-steppe and semi-desert plant formations are dominating, although the
high mountain zone is represented by alpine carpets. Also some residual plots
of oak forest can be found in the region.
Ararat Province is located in the south of the country and covers the eastern part of the Ararat Plain. Here the dominating ecosystems are wetlands and wormwood and halophytic semidesert, but in the mid elevation of mountain ranges, which are encircling the Plain from the east, the tragacanth and esparcet mountain steppes, juniper woodlands and deciduous forest can be observed. The highlands are presented by alpine carpets. Most of the valley is occupied by agriculture: gardening, horticulture and viticulture. At the province Khosrov Forest State Reserve, which is the oldest reserve in Armenia is presented. Armavir Province covers the northern part of the Ararat Plain and is represented mainly by wetlands and wormwood and salt-wort semi-deserts. Here, as in the previous case, a significant part of the valley is occupied by gardening, vegetable growing and viticulture. Gegharkunik Province is located in the east of the country and includes the region's largest alpine lake Sevan, formed by three mountain ranges. Located mainly above 2000 m above sea level, the region is generally represented by mountain-steppe habitats. On the banks of the lake the numerous swamps can be found. North-eastern coast of the lake is the warmest and it hosts the highest-situated plot of juniper woodland in Armenia. Lake Sevan and its vicinity are included in the Sevan National Park. Kotayk Province is located in the central part of Armenia and is one of the contrasting regions of Armenia. While the slopes Tsakhkunyats mountain ridge (western part) are covered by oak-horn-beam forests, slopes of Gegham Ridge (east) entirely represented by grass-forb mountain steppe, gradually turning into alpine carpets. The southern part of the Marz is disposed on 1000 m above sea level and presented by arid formations: wormwood and variegated semi-deserts and tragacanth mountain steppes. The northern part of Khosrov Forest State Reserve is located in the Marz as well. Lori Province is located in the north of Armenia. In the west, where the Lori plateau is, the area is represented mainly by mountain-meadow and mountain-steppe formations interspersed with large swamps, but as we move to the east, relief becomes more rigorous and the forest habitats become dominated ones and are presented by oak-horn-beam and oak-beech associations. Shirak Province is located in the west of Armenia and it is mostly a hilly area that stands out as the Shirak plateau. In the relief of Marz a gradual increase of its the elevation is observed from 1000 m above sea level in the south to over 3000 m in the north; thus the change in habitats from wormwood semi-desert, through the grassland steppes and sub-alpine meadows, and further to alpine carpets is noted, and this is interspersed with variety of wetlands. Particular noteworthy the relict aspen grove in the north-western part of the Marz and insulated portion of esparcet mountain steppe situated on the border with Lori Marz. In north-western area of the province the high-mountain protected area Lake Arpi National Park is located. Syunik Province disposes of the south-east of the country and covers Sisian plateau and three mountain ridges, one of which – Zangezur Ridge – has the greatest extent and is the second highest mountain range in Armenia. At the same time in the region the lowest point in Armenia can be found. At the territory of the province there are Shikahogh State Reserve, which is mostly represented by forests. in the region the only area of Armenia with dry subtropics can be found. With increase of the altitude, the habitats become partly included in Arevik National Park. Habitats are consistently replaced with semi-desert, juniper woodlands, deciduous forest, tragacanth and esparcet mountain steppes, sub-alpine meadows and alpine carpets. The Sisian plateau is mainly presented by grass-forb steppes and sub alpine meadow. Need to mention that in 2014 all the protected areas of the southern part of the province have been united into one unit Zangezur Biosphere Complex. Tavush Province is located in the north-east of the country. Vast forests of this area are an extension of the forests of Lori Marz. As we move to the northeast, the height of marz decreases and the forests gradually become impassable brushwood, however, despite the low altitude and high temperature, semidesert does not enter the region due to its high humidity. At the territory of the area Dilijan National Park is located. Vayots Dzor Province is located on the south of the country and contains a very rugged terrain. The main rock type here is orogenic sedimentary, which imposes a significant imprint on the vegetation composition of the region. It is dominated with tragacanth and esparcet mountain steppes, while the low mountains richly presented with variegated semi-desert. On mountain ridges some residual forests left, and at high altitudes the grasslands become alpine carpets Yerevan is a capital of Armenia that together with its outskirts makes the last province of Armenia. Hrazdan River Gorge that crosses the city provides with a combination of semi-desert and riparian forest. Also there are number of orchards and parks in the city that in some extent imitate conditions of natural riparian habitats. |