Juniperus sabina: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Area of distribution is severely fragmented. The extent of occurrence (EOO) and the area of occupancy (AOO) are less than 500 km2. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 1: Endangered species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Low, usually prostrate shrub up to 50 cm. Leaves shiny, bright green, lanceolate–linear, acuminate, domed on the back, with impressed ovale gland in the middle part. Cones small, 4–6 mm in diam.

Distribution. It occurs in Sevan (vicinity of Pambak and Daranak villages), Darelegis (Selim mountain pass) and Meghri (Vahravar, Goghtan mountain peak) floristic regions. EOO is 410 km2, AOO is 12 km2. Number of locations is 3. Beyond the borders of Armenia it is distributed in other regions of the Caucasus, South and Central Europe, Siberia, North Mongolia and Central Asia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. It grows in sub–alpine mountain belt, at the altitude of 2400–2500 meters above sea level, on the slopes covered with screes and gravel, rarely in shrubberies. Fruiting (richly) from July to October. It breeds well by vegetative reproduction.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, loss/degradation of habitats caused by global climate change.

Conservation actions. Part of the population grows in the area of "Sevan" National Park. Necessary: survey on population numbers and range, search of new habitats, monitoring of the state of the population.