STATUS AND PROTECTION OF GLOBALLY THREATENED SPECIES IN THE CAUCASUS CEPF Biodiversity Investments in the Caucasus Hotspot 2004-2009 Edited by Nugzar Zazanashvili and David Mallon Tbilisi 2009 The contents of this book do not necessarily re ect the views or policies of CEPF, WWF, or their sponsoring organizations. Neither the CEPF, WWF nor any other entities thereof, assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product or process disclosed in this book. Citation: Zazanashvili, N. and Mallon, D. (Editors) 2009. Status and Protection of Globally Threatened Species in the Caucasus. Tbilisi: CEPF, WWF. Contour Ltd., 232 pp. ISBN 978-9941-0-2203-6 Design and printing Contour Ltd. 8, Kargareteli st., 0164 Tbilisi, Georgia December 2009 The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. This book shows the effort of the Caucasus NGOs, experts, scienti c institutions and governmental agencies for conserving globally threatened species in the Caucasus: CEPF investments in the region made it possible for the rst time to carry out simultaneous assessments of species’ populations at national and regional scales, setting up strategies and developing action plans for their survival, as well as implementation of some urgent conservation measures. Contents Foreword 7 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction CEPF Investment in the Caucasus Hotspot A. W. Tordoff, N. Zazanashvili, M. Bitsadze, K. Manvelyan, E. Askerov, V. Krever, S. Kalem, B. Avcioglu, S. Galstyan and R. Mnatsekanov 9 The Caucasus Hotspot N. Zazanashvili 15 Species Status and Conservation Strategies Mammals Conservation of the Bezoar Goat in the Eastern Caucasus E.G. Akhmedov, Y.A. Yarovenko, N.I. Nasrullaev, E.A. Babaev and S.G. Akhmedov 26 The Status of Bezoar Goat (Capra aegagrus) in the Kaçkar Mountains, Turkey H. Diker, E. Diker, M. Özalp, B. Avcolu and S. Kalem 32 Conservation Strategy for Armenian Mou on (Ovis [orientalis] gmelini Blyth) and Bezoar Goat (Capra aegagrus Erxleben) in Armenia I. G. Khorozyan, P. I. Weinberg and A. G. Malkhasyan 37 Conservation Strategy of the Asiatic Mou on (Ovis [orientalis] gmelini Blyth) and the Bezoar Goat (Capra aegagrus Erxleben) in Azerbaijan T. H. Talibov, P. I. Weinberg, I. B. Mammadov, E. N. Mammadov and S. T. Talibov 46 Daghestan Tur (Capra ylindricornis Blyth) Conservation Strategy in Azerbaijan S. M. Guliev, P. J. Weinberg and E. Askerov 53 Status of Turs in Georgia and Conservation Action Plan N. Kopaliani and Z. Gurielidze 61 Current Status of Daghestan Tur (Capra cylindricornis) in the Eastern Caucasus (Daghestan) M.-R. D. Magomedov and Yu. A. Yarovenko 69 GIS-based Habitat Modeling of Mountain Ungulate Species in the Caucasus Hotspot A. Gavashelishvili 74 Tur of the Caucasus: Morphology, Taxonomy and Conservation Strategy P. J. Weinberg, . I. iev and R. G. Buchukuri 83 Current Status of the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra L.) in Azerbaijan N. I. Kasumova, E. Askerov, T. G. Aidinov, E. T. Mamedrzaeva and A. A. Mamedov 92 Current Status of Chiroptera Conservation in the Caucasus A. Bukhnikashvili, S. Gazaryan, A. Kandaurov, I. Natradze, I. Rakhmatulina and E. Yavruyan 98 4 Current Status of the Giant Blind Mole Rat (Spalax giganteus) in Ciscaucasia K.Z. Omarov, M-R.D. Mahomedov and Yu. A. Yarovenko 106 The Current Status of Dahl’s Jird (Meriones dahli Shidlovski, 1962) L.V. Sahakyan, G. M. Faivush and M.Yu. Kalashian 111 Birds Development of an IBA Caretaker Network in Priority Corridors U. Gallo-Orsi, L. Balyan, M. Ghasabyan, . Isayev, E. Sultanov, Z. Javakhishvili and B. Kurt 117 Site Network for Birds and Wetlands: Inventory, Protection and Community Management K. Lyubimova, S. Bukreev, T. Sviridova and G. Dzhamirzoev 122 Reptiles and Amphibians Study of the Present Status of Amphibian and Reptile Populations for Updating the Red Data Book of Armenia and the IUCN Red List A.L. Aghasyan, L.A. Aghasyan and G.A. Kaloyan 125 Reassessment of the IUCN Red List for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Caucasus N. B. Ananjeva, B. S. Tuniyev and N. L. Orlov 131 Status and Conservation of the Mediterranean Tortoise (Testudo graeca) in Georgia V. M. Chkhikvadze 137 Distribution and Status of Meditterranean Tortoise (Testudo graeca, Linnaeus, 1758) in Russia L. F. Mazanaeva, V. F. Orlova, E. V. Iljina and V. G. Starkov 143 Current Status of the Caucasus Toad (Bufo verucosissimus Pall., 1814) and Caucasus Parsley Frog (Pelodytes caucasicus Boul., 1896) in Azerbaijan T. Iskanderov 151 Status and Conservation of the Caucasian Salamander (Mertensiella caucasica) D. Tarkhnishvili and U. Kaya 157 Conservation Strategy for Endemic Species of Caucasian Vipers (Pelias kaznakovi, P. dinniki) B. Tuniyev and S. Tuniyev 165 Fish Current and Historical Status of Sturgeon (Acipenseridae, Osteichthyes) in Georgia A. Guchmanidze 171 Taxonomic Status of the Persian Sturgeon Acipenser persicus Borodin G. I. Ruban, M. V. Kholodova, V.A. Kalmykov and P.A. Sorokin 178 Invertebrates Arthropoda of the Hirkan Corridor and Hirkan National Park: Red List Update Kh. A. Aliyev, A. M. Atakishiyeva, S. A. Gadjiyeva, G. A. Huseynzade, E. F. Huseynov and T. G. Mammadova 179 Rare Invertebrates in Armenia M. Yu. Kalashian 183 5 Plants Development of Plant Red List Assessments for the Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot G. Schatz, T. Shulkina, G. Nakhutsrishvili, K. Batsatsashvili, K. Tamanyan, V. Ali-zade, D. Kikodze, D. Geltman and T. Ekim 188 Rare and Endangered Plant Species in Hirkan National Park and its Environs H. M. Safarov 193 Species Diversity and Conservation Priorities for Endemic Plants of Georgian-Turkish Transboundary Zone in the West Lesser Caucasus Corridor Z. Manvelidze, Ö. Eminaaolu, N. Memiadze and D. Kharazishvili 199 Area Protection Enhancing Conservation in the West Lesser Caucasus through Transboundary Cooperation and Establishing a Training Program on KBA Conservation E. Caglayan, Y. Lise and A. Gavashelishvili 206 Demographic, Geo-ecological and Socioeconomic Characteristics of the West Lesser Caucasus for New Protected Areas Planning N. Elizbarashvili, D. Nikolaishvili, G. Meladze, G. Beruchashvili and D. Liparteliani 211 Inventory of Internationally and Nationally Important Wetlands in the Russian Caucasus Region I. Kamennova 220 Territorial Protection of Globally Threatened Species in the Caucasus N. Zazanashvili, K. Manvelyan, E. Askerov, V. Krever, S. Kalem, B. Avcioglu, S. Galstyan, R. Mnatsekanov and M. Bitsadze 222 6 Foreword The Caucasus is among the top 34 biologically richest and most endangered biodiversity hotspots in the world. Two of these hotspots are found in Europe, the Mediterranean and the Caucasus. Illegal logging, uncontrolled hunting, oil and gas developments, agriculture and overgrazing contribute to an ever increasing degradation of the spectacular and fragile mountainous regions of the Caucasus, with effects on wildlife and people. Only 12% of the region’s natural ecosystems are in their original state. The collapse of the Soviet Union led to dramatic changes in the region. Newly-independent countries became a focus of international attention; conservation of the natural and cultural heritage became a high priority. The rst major initiative came from WWF in 1990. Support was provided to identify a system of protected areas in Georgia. This led to the establishment of WWF’s rst of ce in the Caucasus which soon expanded its activities to neighboring countries and initiated the “Analysis of Biodiversity and Current Threats of the Caucasus Ecoregion” and the elaboration of an “Ecoregion Conservation Plan” (ECP) for the entire Caucasus. More than 150 scientists and conservationists were involved from all six countries. Both studies became major instruments for raising support for conservation from the international donor community. The most important contributor to the implementation of the ECP was the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF). This support came at a critical time with funding for projects to strengthen civil society and the NGO network, maintain and upgrade important wildlife corridors, improve the status of globally threatened species and important landscapes and natural sites. All these activities contribute to the creation of an effective ecological network of protected areas which is the basis for improving protection and management of the region’s biological resources. Promotion of the ecological network for the Caucasus with particular emphasis on trans-boundary conservation is also helping governments to meet their obligations within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This publication is a ‘thank you’ to CEPF and presents some of the striking results of CEPF’s support over the past ve years. It portrays the outstanding beauty and biological importance of the region, the lives of its inhabitants as well as the challenges which governments and NGOs face in promoting conservation and sustainable resource use for the bene ts of nature and the wildlife and people who depend on it. Dr. Hartmut Jungius, Chairman, Caucasus Biodiversity Council 7 Acknowledgements This publication has been made possible within the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) ve- year programme for the Caucasus Hotspot. Thanks are due to CI/CEPF former or current staff: Mr. Jorgen Thomsen, CEPF Executive Director; Mr. Dan Martin, Senior Managing Director; Ms. Bobbie