Vaccinium uliginosum: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. At present only two precise sub– populations are known in the republic. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The distance between two locations is 160 km. The species faces decline of both the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy caused by changes in habitat conditions in the result of global climate change. It was included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Armenia under Category 2: Rare species. It is not included in the Annexes of CITES and that of the Bern Convention.

Description. Low shrub, prostrate, up to 30–60 cm. Leaves deciduous, bluish–green, small, up to 1 cm long. Flowers almost sessile, axillar, by 1–2. Calyx 5–teethed. Bacca blew, juicy.

Distribution. In Armenia it grows in Gegham (Gridzor) and Upper Akhuryan (mountain Ghukasyan Mets) floristic regions. AOO is 24 km2. The number of locations is 2. Besides Armenia the species occurs in the Central and North–West Transcaucasia, Europe, North–East Anatolia, Siberia, Far East, North America.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in sub–alpine and alpine belts, at the altitudes of 2500–3300 meters above sea level, in the meadows. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to August.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, global climate change.

Conservation actions. One of the populations grows in "Arpi lich" National Park. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.