Noravank

Code:                                             AM014
IBA Criteria:                                   A1, B2
Area:                                              14,002 ha
National Protection Status:            Gnishik Protected Landscape 
International Protection Status:     Designated as Emerald Site and as KBA
General description:
Noravank IBA is located on the slopes of Vayots Dzor mountains from the Arpa river at about 800 m a.s.l. to about the watershed at 2400 m a.s.l. The landscape of the area varies from riparian shrubland, through semi-desert and juniper woodland, to arid mountain steppes and mesophilic meadows. The area is alternated with two major canyons, with cliffs of up to 200 m high. The riparian shrublands are dominated with Populus, Rubus, and Fragmites; the semi-deserts are represented with Atraphaxis, Amygdalus, and Rhamnus pallassii; the juniper woodlands are dominated by Juniperus polycarpos, Pyrus, and Crataegus; the steppe areas are represented by herbs with significant representation of Legumes, as well as by Astracantha and Onobrychis cornuta; and eventually the meadows are represented with variety of herbs and grasses. While the lower part of the valley is hot and dry, the upper parts have some medium rate of precipitations.

Description of bird diversity:
In total, there are 146 species of birds recorded here, among those, 100 species are breeding and 46 species are migrating through the area or wintering here. The site is obviously an important breeding area, but also plays some role for the species, wintering in the lowlands. Among the recorded species there are several globally threatened, such as Egyptian Vulture (EN) and Bearded Vulture (NT); nationally threatened, including Short-toed Snake Eagle (VU), Levant Sparrowhawk (VU), Golden Eagle (VU), and others; and the ones included in Appendix II of Bern Convention, such as White Storks, Rollers, Ortolan Bunting, and others. 

Threats:
The area is partly located at the community lands used for the horticulture and livestock husbandry. Intensive grazing, uncontrolled mowing, and habitat transformation under orchards could be the major threats here. Also some poaching, as out of season hunting on the game birds, as well as trophy hunting on raptors was recorded in the area. Another threat comes from human induced fires: the local people often burn Astracantha spp., or Onobrychis cornuta bushes, either for quick fire for cooking or just for fun. Such a habit can provoke large-scale fire of the area, like the one which affected Khosrov Forest State Reserve in 2017.

Conservation measures:
With assistance of WWF Armenia, some portion of the IBA by agreement of Areni and Khachik communities was allocated to Gnishik Intercommunity Fund, which later was transformed into Gnishik Protected Landscape. In 2016 the area was designated as Emerald Site and during 2017-2018 was included into KBAs and involved into Ecoregional Conservation Plan. Vicinity of Gnishik village down through the Noravank Gorge have been designated as Gnisheek Prime Butterfly Area. The next step in conservation is development of management plan for the area, which is partly a task of Gnishik Protected Landscape and partly is responsibility of Bern Convention's representatives in Armenia. The management plan should take into consideration the wide opportunities of historical, cultural and nature tourism of the area, including birdwatching and butterfly-watching, as well as interests of local rural communities. It means development and installation of habitat friendly livestock farming practices, which can improve sustainability of pasture use, while not influencing the sensitive wildlife. Also management plan should consider community education for decreasing of further poaching and fire possibilities.