Kobresia persica: 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 key threat is the global climate change. It was not included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Densely cespitose perennial herb (3) 5–7 (10) cm. Leaves linear, 0,5 cm long; sheaths yellowish; blades 1–2 mm broad; upper leaves dingy green, lower ones pale yellow. Inflorescence terminal, spike–shaped, composed of few spikelets. Bracts brown, without white membranous margins. Fruit elliptic, 2–2,3 (2,5) mm long; rostellum very short.

Distribution. It is found in Aparan (Tezhler Mountain) floristic region. AOO is 4 km2. The number of locations is 1. The general area of distribution includes Ciscaucasia, Dagestan, South Transcaucasia, Karabagh, Talish, Middle Asia and Iran.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in alpine belt, at the altitudes of 3000 (and more) meters above sea level, in stony places, in the meadows. Flowering in July, fruiting in August.

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

Conservation actions. No conservation actions. Necessary: monitoring of the population state, search of new habitats.