Castanea sativa: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. At present two natural sub–populations are known (in the Soviet period this species was used in many regions during afforestation). The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are less than 500 km2. The distance between two locations is 230 km. The species faces decline of the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy caused by changes in habitat condition in the result of forestry activities. 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. Tree, up to 35 m. Leaves large, entire, oblong–lanceolate, dentate, at apex acuminate. Fruit with coriaceous pericarp, included in aculeate lignose cupula.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs only in Idjevan (surroundings of Idjevan) and Zangezur («Shikahogh» State reserve) floristic regions. AOO is 20 km2; the number of locations is 2. Besides Armenia it grows in Ciscaucasia, in different regions of Transcaucasia, in the South of Europe, in Mediterranea, North–East Anatolia.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. Grows in lower and middle mountain belts at the altitudes of 900–1300 meters above sea level, in the forests. Flowering from April to May, fruiting from August to October.

Limiting factors. Restricted extent of occurrence and area of occupancy.

Conservation actions. One population grows in the area of "Shikahogh" State Reserve. Necessary: monitoring of the population state.