Scientific expedition reveals some of the most species-rich grasslands in the Palaearctic region
Vascular Plant Species
Species per 10 m² (Max)
Research Sites
Biodiversity Plots
Nestled between the Caucasus and the Irano-Anatolian regions, Armenia represents a crucial biodiversity hotspot within the Western Palaearctic. Despite this recognition, many of its unique grassland ecosystems remained scientifically unexplored until recently.
In 2019, an international team of researchers embarked on the 13th EDGG Field Workshop to systematically document these dry grasslands for the first time using standardized methods. What they discovered surpassed expectations: Armenia hosts some of the most species-rich grasslands in the entire Palaearctic region, with fascinating ecological patterns and vegetation types unknown to science 5 .
Armenia's global biodiversity significance stems from its unique position spanning two recognized global biodiversity hotspots: the Caucasus and the Irano-Anatolian region. This geographical bridging results in an exceptional convergence of Mediterranean and temperate influences, creating ideal conditions for high plant diversity and endemism. The country's varied geology, with its mosaic of different bedrock types including limestone and volcanic substrates, further enhances habitat diversity 5 .
Positioned at the intersection of two biodiversity hotspots, creating unique ecological conditions.
Mosaic of limestone, volcanic substrates, and other bedrock types supporting varied habitats.
Despite their ecological importance, Armenian grasslands faced significant knowledge gaps before the EDGG expedition. They had never been formally classified within international vegetation classification systems, making conservation planning and comparative studies challenging. This knowledge gap was particularly concerning given that semi-natural grasslands worldwide have experienced dramatic declines due to agricultural intensification, land abandonment, and climate change 5 .
The 13th EDGG Field Workshop brought together botanists and zoologists from multiple countries for an intensive 10-day research expedition across Armenia. From June 26 to July 6, 2019, the team conducted standardized sampling at 16 different sites across the country, ensuring comprehensive geographical coverage of Armenia's varied grassland types .
The expedition employed the standardized EDGG sampling methodology, refined over years of grassland research across the Palaearctic region. This rigorous approach enables direct comparison with grassland biodiversity data from dozens of other locations throughout Europe and Asia, making the Armenian dataset particularly valuable for broad-scale ecological studies 5 .
The team faced challenging field conditions during their expedition. As recounted in their field report, days were "full of sampling under intense sun and also some heavy rain," with evenings spent "determining the unclear samples from the field or preparing them for later determination" 5 . This intensive fieldwork resulted in a comprehensive dataset including 29 complete Biodiversity Plots and 53 additional vegetation plots .
| Research Tool | Function | Application in Armenia |
|---|---|---|
| Nested Plot Series | Records species presence across seven grain sizes from 0.0001 m² to 100 m² | Enabled multi-scale biodiversity analysis across different grassland types |
| 10-m² "Normal Plots" | Standard-sized plots for vegetation composition and cover estimates | Sampled 53 additional plots to cover wider range of vegetation variability |
| Environmental Protocol | Standardized measurement of structural and environmental variables | Recorded soil parameters, topography, and microclimate for each plot |
| Orthopteroid Sampling | Standardized survey method for grasshoppers, crickets, and mantids | Implemented in 42 plots, resulting in methodological proposal for future studies |
The data revealed exceptionally high biodiversity values at all sampling scales. The researchers recorded a mean total species richness of 51.3 species of vascular plants, bryophytes, and lichens per 10 m² plot, with the richest meso-xeric grasslands containing up to 80 vascular plant species in just 10 m². At finer scales, the grasslands averaged 31.9 species in 1 m² and 7.5 species in 0.01 m² .
Armenian grasslands showed approximately 50% higher species richness than Swiss Alpine grasslands 5
These numbers become particularly impressive when compared to other European grasslands. The Armenian plots were approximately 50% richer in species than the dry grasslands sampled the same year in the central valleys of the Swiss Alps using identical methodology. This significant difference presents what the researchers called "a real riddle" about the underlying causes of such high diversity 5 .
| Taxonomic Group | Number of Species Recorded | Percentage of Total | Notable Findings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vascular Plants | 366 | 86.7% | Dominated plant communities; included endemic specialists |
| Bryophytes | 41 | 9.7% | Included Syntrichia papillosissima (new to Armenia) |
| Lichens | 14 | 3.3% | Included Aspicilia hispida (new to Armenia) |
| Orthopteroids | Data collected from 42 plots | N/A | Maximum richness of 14 species in 100 m² |
The analysis revealed that Armenian grasslands host vegetation types that don't fit European classification systems. While some meso-xeric and xeric grasslands belong to the class Festuco-Brometea (similar to dry grasslands across Europe), the researchers discovered distinctive communities that likely represent previously unclassified vegetation types .
Likely belonging to the class Onobrychidetea cornutae, these represent unique formations without European equivalents.
Distinctive plant assemblages growing on rocky debris slopes with specialized adaptations.
Dry grasslands rich in annuals and chamaephytes, probably class Astragalo-Brometea.
This discovery highlights the distinctive character of Armenian grasslands and underscores the need for region-specific conservation strategies .
The multi-scale sampling approach allowed researchers to analyze how species richness changes across different spatial grains, from tiny 1 cm² microplots to 100 m² plots. This methodology is crucial because, as previous grassland research has shown, diversity-environment relationships are strongly scale-dependent, with different factors driving biodiversity patterns at different spatial scales 4 .
The simultaneous study of multiple taxonomic groups provided additional insights. The research team found that vascular plants, bryophytes, and lichens often show contrasting diversity patterns in relation to environmental drivers, emphasizing the importance of multi-taxon approaches for comprehensive biodiversity assessment.
This aligns with findings from other grassland ecosystems where conservation strategies focusing solely on vascular plants would miss critical components of biodiversity 4 .
| Grain Size | Mean Species Richness | Notable Patterns |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0001 m² | Not specified | Fine-scale diversity influenced by microhabitat conditions |
| 0.01 m² | 7.5 species | Reflects very fine-scale coexistence mechanisms |
| 1 m² | 31.9 species | Intermediate scale showing high diversity |
| 10 m² | 51.3 species | Maximum recorded: 91 species across all plant groups |
The 13th EDGG Field Workshop established Armenia as a Palaearctic hotspot of fine-grain plant diversity and provided the first comprehensive dataset for evidence-based conservation planning. The discovery of vegetation types without equivalents in European classification systems underscores the unique character of Armenia's grassland ecosystems and their importance for global biodiversity conservation .
The research also contributed valuable methodological advances, particularly for orthopteroid sampling. The involvement of orthopterologists in the fieldwork resulted in a standardized methodology proposal for surveying grasshoppers, crickets, and mantids in grassland ecosystems, enabling more comprehensive multi-taxon biodiversity assessments in future studies 5 .
As with many valuable ecosystems, Armenia's species-rich grasslands face uncertain futures. The detailed understanding of their biodiversity patterns and vegetation types provides a crucial baseline for monitoring changes and implementing targeted conservation actions. The researchers emphasized that both the diversity patterns and syntaxonomy of Armenian grasslands warrant in-depth studies, which are now possible with the comprehensive dataset collected during this pioneering expedition .
The story of Armenia's grasslands exemplifies how standardized, collaborative scientific exploration can reveal unexpected biological treasures even in the 21st century. What began as an expedition to fill knowledge gaps resulted in the discovery of extraordinary biodiversity levels and unique vegetation types that challenge existing classification systems.
As the researchers concluded, Armenia has rightfully claimed its place as one of the Palaearctic hotspots of fine-grain plant diversity. The findings from the 13th EDGG Field Workshop not only expand our understanding of grassland biodiversity but also provide essential knowledge for conserving these unique ecosystems in a rapidly changing world. The expedition's legacy continues through ongoing research and conservation efforts inspired by their discoveries .