Salvinia natans: Red Data Book of Armenia

CR B 1 ab(iii) + 2 ab(iii)

Category. Critically endangered species. Only one sub–population is known. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The species is on the verge of extinction caused by amelioration and succession of natural vegetation of the lakes which leads to changes in habitat conditions. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 1: Endangered species. The species is included in the Annex 2 of the Bern Convention. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES.

Description. Small floating fern. Fronds oval–elliptic, in verticilles by 3; 2 of them – floating on the water surface, on the upper side covered with setose white hairs; 1 – filiform dissected, pendent in water. Sori by 4–8 at the bases of submersed fronds.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Lori floristic region, in the relic lakes of the Lori Plateau. AOO is 8 km2. The number of locations is 1. Beyond the borders of Armenia it can be met in Ciscaucasia, Transcaucasia, Talish, Europe, North Africa, West Siberia, Asia Minor, Far East, China, India and North America.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. In Armenia it grows in middle mountain belt, at the altitude of 1300–1400 meters above sea level, in the lakes.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by succession of natural vegetation.

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: survey on population numbers and range, search of new habitats, monitoring of the state of the population, establishment of new protected area in the territory of the Lori Plateau.