Armash fish-farm (3137)
Armenia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Armash fish-farm
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.7515, Longitude: 44.7657
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 781 to 794
Area of KBA (km2): 45.90612
Protected area coverage (%): 92.84
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Armash area is the largest fishery in the Araks valley of Armenia, with 1,514 ha covered by a total of 29 fish-ponds, each between 11 ha and 95 ha in size. The Araks valley is mainly semi-desert with extremely salty soils. The vegetation is basically halophytic, with mostly goosefoot Chenopodium, pepper-grass Lepidium, saltwort Salsola, camel's thorn Alhagi and bean caper Zygophyllum. Marshes, wetlands, channel shores and ponds are densely vegetated with reeds and forbs, mixed with Typha, Carex and sparse tamarisk.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Caucasus Hotspot (2003, updated 2004). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2002 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: The reedbeds cover edges of ponds, or grow in islet-shaped patches taking up approximately 30-50% of the water area, thus providing suitable cover and breeding places for grebes, cormorants, egrets/herons, rails, ducks and other birds.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | hunting | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 6 | |
| Desert | 29 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 6 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 59 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Many waterbirds, including Phalacrocorax pygmeus and Pelecanus onocrotalus are shot (legally or illegally) at Armash and other ponds because of the perceived conflict with fish-farming interests.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |