Prime Butterfly Areas
The growing anthropogenic factor leads to habitat degradation and loss of biodiversity with increasing speed. Thus in the Red Book of Butterflies of Europe (van Swaay & Warren 1999), it was clearly demonstrated that out of 576 species the 71 species are threatened. As a response to the emerging threats the development and introduction of the concept of Prime Butterfly Areas (PBA) was started. At the initial stage, identification of PBA was based on the idea of target species, which are considered to belong to two of the three categories: IUCN Red List, the Red Book of Butterflies of Europe, or the Bern Convention. Later, the scope has been expanded in order to include into PBA also areas with high species diversity. Currently, 37 countries in Europe allocated a total of 431 PBA, which makes about 21 million hectares, and about 1.8% of the territory. Armenia has joined the initiative of Butterfly Conservation Europe in 2013 in frames of the project Butterfly species and habitat conservation in Southern Armenia, and in 2015 in frames of project Expansion of Prime Butterfly Area Network in Armenia (Rufford Small Grant Program); the implemented works included evaluation of the southern part of Syunik region using common methods (see Approach: area assessment and promotion), where the first candidates to PBA have been identified.
Since anthropogenic influence is increasing, the development of a network of Prime Butterfly Areas in Armenia can become a deterrent – attracting an attention of governmental agencies, the scientific community and enthusiasts, thus solving the issue of changing of conservation status of the territory, and therefore contributing to the conservation of the fauna of butterflies and their unique habitats.
Since anthropogenic influence is increasing, the development of a network of Prime Butterfly Areas in Armenia can become a deterrent – attracting an attention of governmental agencies, the scientific community and enthusiasts, thus solving the issue of changing of conservation status of the territory, and therefore contributing to the conservation of the fauna of butterflies and their unique habitats.
Approved
PBAs Agarak [01] Meghri [02] Shvanidzor [03] Gudemnis [04] Kaladash [05] Gyumorats [06] Lichk [07] Gnisheek [08] Ourtsadzor [09] Artanish-Shorzha [10] Kajaran [12] Geghadir [31] Teksar [14] |
PBA under assessment
Hatis [17] Kitsk [33] Shenatagh [34] |
Potential
PBA Pkhrout [11] Gndevaz [13] Hatsavan-Yeranos [15] Spitakasar [16] Araler [18] Aragats [19] Tsaghkounyats [20] Meghradzor [21] Dilijan [22] Last Iver [23] Kirants [24] Tashir [25] Achkasar [26] Lake Arpi [27] Akhuryan [28] Jajur [29] Tezhler [30] Kakavaberd [32] |
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