Country Study on Biodiversity of Azerbaijan Republic Fourth National Report to Convention of Biological Diversity Baku - 2010 This document has been prepared under requirements of the Convention of Biological Diversity and involves current status of biological diversity in the territory of Azerbaijan Republic and factors impacted upon it. The report has been drafted in the presence of all concerned parties and it based upon the opinions and proposals of the related specialists. Therefore, a deep gratitude is expressed to authors staff of the First National Report on the Convention of Biological Diversity which plays as a framework document, for preparation of the Second National Report on the Convention of Biological Diversity. Views and standpoints suggested in this collection express opinions of the authors and could not coincide with opinions of the United Nations or the United Nations Development Programme. Country Study on Biodiversity and Fourth National Report The Republic of Azerbaijan Contents Introduction (Country Context and Socio-economic context)………………7 Chapter 1. Overview of Biodiversity Status, Trends and Treats.................. 23 1.1. Status of Biodiversity and Ecosystems............................................................... 24 1.1.1. Status and quality of research on ecosystems and species......................24 1.1.2. Biogeography..........................................................................................24 1.1.3. Status review of ecosystems....................................................................25 1.1.4. Status review of plant communities and habitats....................................30 1.1.4.1. Description of key plant communities......................................30 1.1.4.2. Rare, endemic or threatened plant communities habitats........ 31 1.1.5. Status review of species...........................................................................31 1.1.5.1 . Microorganisms........................................................................31 1.1.5.2. Protozoa....................................................................................31 1.1.5.3 . Fungi.........................................................................................32 1.1.5.4. Flora.......................................................................................... 33 1.1.5.5. Fauna........................................................................................ 34 1.1.6. Key threats to biodiversity.......................................................................39 1.1.6.1. Habitat loss and modification..................................................39 1.1.6.2. Over-use of biological and natural resources.......................... 40 1.1.6.3. Pollution...................................................................................43 1.1.6.4. Introduced and invasive species............................................... 48 1.1.6.5. Natural pathogens.................................................................... 49 1.1.6.6. Climate change and natural disasters...................................... 50 1.2. Problem Analysis.................................................................................................54 1.2.1. Current status of biodiversity..................................................................54 1.2.2. Direct causes of biodiversity loss............................................................55 1.2.3. Underlying causes of biodiversity loss...................................................56 1.2.4. Key sectors affecting biodiversity..........................................................57 1.2.5. Restrictions on protection process..........................................................58 1.2.6. Opportunities for biodiversity conservation...........................................58 1.2.7. Further phases.........................................................................................59 Chapter 2. Current Status of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans……………………………………………………………………………60 2.1. Legislation and policy on use and protection of biodiversity........................... 61 2.1.1. Protection of the environment and legislation regulating this sphere.....61 2.1.2. Laws on protected areas and sites...........................................................62 2.1.3. Laws on flora and fauna.................................................................63 2.1.4. Land use and legislation for development...........................................................64 2.1.5. Laws stipulating legal bases for prevention of environmental pollution……………………………………………………………………….65 2.1.6. Legislation on other spheres impacting upon biodiversity......................65 2.1.7. International agreements and conventions..............................................66 2.2. Existing programmes for biodiversity conservation......................................... 67 2.2.1. Biodiversity inventory, monitoring and research....................................67 2.2.2. Environmental educational programmes and teaching............................67 2.2.3. Public Awareness....................................................................................68 2.2.4. Planning and intervention for conservation and restoration....................68 2.2.5. International Projects...............................................................................69 2009 3 Country Study on Biodiversity and Fourth National Report The Republic of Azerbaijan 2.3. Summary of existing measures, capacity and experience for biodiversity management............................................................................................................................. 70 Chapter 3. Sectoral and cross-sectoral integration or mainstreaming of biodiversity considerations................................................................................71 3.1. Use and values of biodiversity............................................................................. 72 31.1. Agrobiodiversity......................................................................................72 3.1.1.1. Crops under cultivation............................................................72 3.1.1.2. Wild ancestors of crops............................................................ 73 3.1.1.3. Livestock diversity....................................................................74 3.1.1.4. Wild relatives of domesticated livestock..................................74 3.1.2. Wild species of economic importance....................................................75 3.1.2.1. Use of wild plants..................................................................... 75 3.1.2.2. Use of wild animals.................................................................. 77 3.1.2.3. Evaluation of sustainability of use of wild species................... 78 3.1.3. Use of biodiversity for biotechnology and genetic collections.............. 78 3.1.4. Indirect uses of biodiversity....................................................................79 3.1.5. Cultural or traditional values of biodiversity...........................................79 3.1.5.1. Wildlife and national cuisine....................................................79 3.1.5.2. Arts, folklore, and music........................................................... 79 3.1.5.3. Spiritual values of biodiversity................................................. 80 3.1.5.4. Recreation and biodiversity......................................................80 3.2. Key economic sectors affecting biodiversity.....................................................81 3.2.1. Agriculture...............................................................................................81 3.2.2. Forestry....................................................................................................86 3.2.3. Fisheries...................................................................................................88 3.2.4. Industry....................................................................................................89 3.2.5. Construction............................................................................................91 3.2.6. Mining industry..................................................................................... .92 3.2.7. Energy and oil extraction........................................................................ 95 3.2.8. Transport..................................................................................................97 3.2.9. Tourism....................................................................................................98 Chapter 4. Conclusions: Progress Towards the 2010 Target and Implementation of the Strategic Plan ............. ………………………….…. 100 4.1. Protected areas system.......................................................................................101 4.1.1. Description of status, location and scope of protected areas.................101 4.1.2. Evaluation of gaps in protected areas system........................................106 4.2. Conservation outside Protected Areas............................................................ 107 4.2.1. In situ conservation measures in the wider landscape...........................107 4.2.2. Ex situ conservation..............................................................................107 4.3. Organizations involved in biodiversity conservation and management....... 108 4.3.1. Government structures and agencies.....................................................108