| Shirvan National Park Şirvan Milli Parkı | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Wetlands in Shirvan National Park | |
| Location | Salyan Rayon |
| Coordinates | 39°32′51″N49°00′56″E / 39.54750°N 49.01556°E /39.54750; 49.01556 |
| Area | 54,373.5 hectares (543.735 km2) |
| Governing body | Republic of Azerbaijan Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources |
  Location of Shirvan National Park Şirvan Milli Parkı in Azerbaijan | |
Shirvan National Park (Azerbaijani:Şirvan Milli Parkı) — is a national park ofAzerbaijan. It was established on July 5, 2003 within the territory ofSalyan Rayon administrative districts. Its surface area is 54,373.5 hectares (543.735 km2).
The Shirvan National Park was established on the base of theShirvan State Reserve founded in 1969 and neighbouring areas. The reserve‘s activity is focused on the protection and reproduction of thegoitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), waterfowl birds and typical plant biotypes of theShirvan Lowland. The area is 25800 hectares, of which 3500 hectares are water reservoirs. The territory of the park used to be at the bottom of theCaspian Sea and at present it is an accumulative plain, which is 20–25 m below sea level with a slight increase in the relief westwards. In terms of climate the park lies in an area of moderate warm semi-desert and arid steppe. Summers are hot and dry and winters are cool and dry.
The word 'Shirvan' appears to be derived fromShīr (Persian:شیر). The wordshir refers to thelion, which is now extinct in theTrans-Caucasus.[1]
In the park there are several types ofvegetation. The desert type is represented byHalocnemum,Halostachys andSalicornia formations developed onsolonchaks ‘'Halocnemum vegetation occupies about 40% of the territory of the park. The main species is theHalocnemum strobilaceum. The Halostachys phytocenosis has a more complicated structure and a richer species composition than Halocnemum. At the tops of the hills Halostachys grows and the slopes are covered by cereals and motley grass from the ephemeral group.
Salicornia vegetation has developed in a small area of the central part of the park as a result of wet salines and the high level of ground waters. As well asSalicornia europaea, there is alsoS. rankenive andS. tonkokhstnik.
The semi-desert type of vegetation is represented by formations of sveda and ephemeral wormwood. The latter formation, which occupies 40% of the park area, has the richest species composition. Wormwood dominates, and among ephemera 20-25 species are met, including mast cereals:Poa bulbosa,Bromus,wall barley (Hordeum murinum), etc.
Meadow-type vegetation is developed in the park on chals (humid lowerings on the relief). The herbage is two-layered and is formed ofAlhagi (first layer) andAeluropus repens (second layer). In some placesArtemisia and wall barley (Hordeum murinum) are found.
The fauna is poorly studied. Among amphibians there are variable toad (Bufotes variabilis), tree frogs (Hyla spp.) andmarsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus). Among reptiles there areEuropean pond turtle (Emys orbicularis),Caspian turtle (Mauremys caspica) andGreek tortoise (Testudo graeca), lizard,grass snake (Natrix natrix)Levantine viper (Macrovipera lebetinus) and others. The avifauna is poorly studied, but according to the existing data there arebustards (Otidae), francolins (Francolinus spp.),little bustards (Otis tetrax),white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla),steppe eagles (Aquila nipalensis),peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus),saker falcons (Falco cherrug) andblack-bellied sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis). In winter, there are many migratory birds on the water bodies such asgreylag geese (Anser anser),mallards (Anas platyrhynchos),northern pintail (Anas acuta) and others.
Among rare mammals species there arered fox, Persian gazelle,wild boar,wolf,jackal,jungle cat,badger,European hare, and others. Greek tortoise, Persian gazelle,black francolin, bustard, little bustard, white-tailed eagle, steppe eagle, peregrine falcon, saker falcon, which are listed inthe Red Book of Azerbaijan. In the past, this area was once within the range ofAsiatic lion, a population or the junior synonym of theNorthern lion, in theCaucasus,[1] and theCaspian tiger used to visit it fromPersia.[2]
The main protected objects are the natural semi-desert complexes of the south-eastern Shirvan, with the world's biggest population of Persian gazelles and the water-wading ecosystem, which is a place of nesting, a migration route and wintering area for many valuable bird species (western part of the Shor-Gel Lake).
Shirvan National Park has played an important role in recovery ofgoitered gazelle and itsreintroductions inAzerbaijan andGeorgia. Gazelles from Shirvan National Park have been reintroduced to several areas includingVashlovani National Park,Qobustan, Absheron, Ajinohur steppe,Ag-Gel National Park.[3][4]
