Forests of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan preserves many endemic tree and shrub species, relics of the Tertiary period which were not affected by Pliocene and Pleistocene glaciations.

oxycarpa), European ash (Fraxinus excelsior), European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), Oriental hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis), Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis), Caucasian persimmon (Diospyros lotus), Caspian locust tree (Gleditsia caspica), Caucasian alder (Alnus subcordata), black alder (Alnus glutinosa subsp.

barbata), white poplar (Populus alba) Caucasian wingnut (Pterocarya fraxinifolia), Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica), Caucasian zelkova (Zelkova carpinifolia), butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus), velvet maple (Acer velutinum), Cappadocian maple (Acer cappadocicum), wych elm (Ulmus glabra), Caucasian lime tree (Tilia dasystyla subsp.

Extensive territories are covered with wormwood ephemeral and halophytic vegetation in Absheron peninsula, Kobustan, Kura-Araxinskaya lowlands, and foothills and plains of Nakhchivan.

There are different kinds of shrubs and bushes on salinized soils such as Salsola arbuscular, Kolidium, Salicornia, and Holocnemum strobelaceum.

[4] In the west region of Azerbaijan, of which lands are dry-plain and semi-dessert, there exist sparse forests.

[4] Mountain forests of Gakh region are located in the southern side of the Greater Caucasus in west of Azerbaijan.

Caucasian Hornbeam (Carpinus caucasica) Georgian Oak (Quercus iberica) are dominant trees on the dry and warm areas of the mountains.

Oriental Hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis) and Oriental Beech (Fagus orientalis) are widespread on the dry lands of the mountains.The timberline includes Trautvetter Maple (Acer trautvetteria) and Persian Oak (Quercus macranthera).In the mountain forests of Gakh, there can be found Tree Hazel (Corylus iberica), which is an endemic species, and only specific to the western territories of the country.

Hirkan National Park was settled in the Talysh mountains, which covers about 38000 ha territory enclosing different zones of forest.

In these forests, there can be found some endemic trees such as Albizzia julibrissin, Parrotia persica, Quercus castaneifolia, and Gleditsia capsica.

There are also various evergreen species of trees exist such as Ilex spingera, Buxus hyrcana, and Danae racemose.

[6] There are two main departments that are dealing with forestry issues under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources in Azerbaijan.

[6] Another critical problem is the continuous practice of illegal grazing for firewood in the forests which are damaging the biodiversity and are resulting in economic and social losses.

Illegal logging remains a challenge for the Azerbaijani forest sector since country's independence.