Athyrium distentifolium: Red Data Book of Armenia

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

Category. Endangered species. Two locations are known in the North Armenia. The extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy are less than 10 km2. The key threat is decline of the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy caused by changes in habitats conditions. The category of threat has downgraded to EN since the main area of distribution of the species is beyond the borders of the republic. 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. Rhizomatous perennial plant 60–160 cm. Frond blade soft, dark green, oblong–lanceolate, 2–3–pinnatisect; segments of second order oblong–lanceolate; petiole shorter or longer than blade.

Distribution. In Armenia it occurs in Idjevan (Mrkhuz mountain range) and Lori (Bazum mountain range) floristic regions. AOO is 8 km2, the number of locations is 2. Beyond the borders of Armenia it is distributed in the Greater Caucasus, West, Central and East Transcaucasia, Karabagh, Europe, countries of the Mediterranean Sea basin, Turkey, North and East Asia, North America.

Ecological, biological and phytocoenological peculiarities. It grows in sub–alpine mountain belt, at the altitude of 2200–2600 meters above sea level, in rocky gorges, in rhodorets (Rhododendron caucasicum).

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

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