Gey-Gel State Reserve
Encyclopedia
Göygöl National Park — is a national park
of Azerbaijan
. It was established by the decree of the President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev
, in an area in Goygol Rayon administrative district on April 1, 2008 on the basis of the former "Goy Gol State Reserve" that was established in 1925 and which it superseded, on a surface area of 12755 hectares (127.6 km²). It was enlarged from 6739 hectares (67.4 km²) of the former state reserve to its current surface area as a national park.
The national park includes one of the most beautiful and cleanest lakes in Azerbaijan, Lake Göygöl
. The reserve is intended to protect the natural ecosystem
of the subalpine zones of the northern slopes of the Lesser Caucasus
. During the Soviet era, it had been deprived of its reserve status, but was restored later.
), Caucasian Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. oxycarpa), European Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), Oriental Hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis
), Oriental Beech (Fagus orientalis), Velvet Maple (Acer velutinum
), Cappadocian Maple (Acer cappadocicum), Caucasian Lime Tree (Tilia dasystyla
subsp. caucasica), etc.
Shrub species occurring in the area include the Medlar (Crataegus azarolus
subsp. pontica), European barberry (Berberis vulgaris
), European Cornel (Cornus mas), European spindle (Euonymus europaeus), Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), etc.
; the Caucasus Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus colchicus) subspecies of the Common Pheasant
are common.
The Caspian tiger (Panthera tigris virgata) once roamed these mountains, but is now extinct. Other large mammals here are the lynx (Lynx lynx), brown bear (Ursus arctos), wild boar (Sus scrofa), wolf (Canis lupus), golden jackal (Canis aureus), jungle cat (Felis chaus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), badger (Meles meles), etc.
The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) subspecies of the leopard
, lives in the southern regions in Azerbaijan, primarily in the Talysh Mountains, Nagorno-Karabakh
and Nakhichevan
. Despite occasional sightings, it was not clear whether leopards had been extinct in Azerbaijan by the late 1990s until a species was caught on camera in March, 2007 in the Hirkan National Park
. However it is still not clear if leopards live in the Göygöl National Park.
National Parks of Azerbaijan
National Parks of Azerbaijan refers to the situation and the listing of national parks in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The national parks of Azerbaijan are run by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The first national park that was established in Azerbaijan, is the Zangezur National Park...
of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
. It was established by the decree of the President of Azerbaijan
President of Azerbaijan
The country of Azerbaijan is a presidential republic, with the President of Azerbaijan as the head of state, and the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan as head of government...
Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev is the President of Azerbaijan since 2003. He also functions as the Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party and the head of the National Olympic Committee...
, in an area in Goygol Rayon administrative district on April 1, 2008 on the basis of the former "Goy Gol State Reserve" that was established in 1925 and which it superseded, on a surface area of 12755 hectares (127.6 km²). It was enlarged from 6739 hectares (67.4 km²) of the former state reserve to its current surface area as a national park.
The national park includes one of the most beautiful and cleanest lakes in Azerbaijan, Lake Göygöl
Lake Goygol
Göygöl is a natural impounded lake in Azerbaijan. It is situated at the footsteps of Murovdag, not far from Ganja.-History:Due to an earthquake which hit the area on 25 September 1139, parts of the Kapaz Mount collapsed and blocked the path of the Kürəkçay River...
. The reserve is intended to protect the natural ecosystem
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
of the subalpine zones of the northern slopes of the Lesser Caucasus
Lesser Caucasus
Lesser Caucasus is one of the two main mountain ranges of Caucasus mountains, of length about 600 km....
. During the Soviet era, it had been deprived of its reserve status, but was restored later.
Flora
The area of Göygöl is almost entirely covered by forests and has a rich flora with over 420 plant species, including 20 which are endemic to the area. The major types of trees are Chestnut-Leaved Oak (Quercus castaneifolia), Caucasian Oak (Quercus macrantheraQuercus macranthera
Quercus macranthera, commonly called the Caucasian Oak, or the Persian Oak, is a species of deciduous tree native to Western Asia Quercus macranthera, commonly called the Caucasian Oak, or the Persian Oak, is a species of deciduous tree native to Western Asia Quercus macranthera, commonly called...
), Caucasian Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. oxycarpa), European Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), Oriental Hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis
Carpinus orientalis
Carpinus orientalis is a hornbeam native from southeastern Europe to northern Iran and occurs usually on hot dry sites at lower altitudes than European Hornbeam....
), Oriental Beech (Fagus orientalis), Velvet Maple (Acer velutinum
Acer velutinum
Acer velutinum, Velvet Maple is a tree species native to Azerbaijan, Georgia and northern Iran. It grows in the moist Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests as wells as parts of Eastern Georgia.It is a tall deciduous tree growing to over 40 m tall....
), Cappadocian Maple (Acer cappadocicum), Caucasian Lime Tree (Tilia dasystyla
Tilia dasystyla
Tilia dasystyla is a deciduous lime tree species. It contains following subspecies:*T. dasystyla subsp. caucasica - northern Iran, northern and western Turkey, Caucasus and Crimea*T. dasystyla subsp...
subsp. caucasica), etc.
Shrub species occurring in the area include the Medlar (Crataegus azarolus
Crataegus azarolus
Crataegus azarolus is a species of hawthorn known by the common names azarole, mosphilla, and Mediterranean medlar. It is native to the Mediterranean Basin and it is grown there and elsewhere as an ornamental tree and for its fruit. It has been used historically for a number of medicinal purposes.C...
subsp. pontica), European barberry (Berberis vulgaris
Berberis vulgaris
Berberis vulgaris /// is a shrub in the family Berberidaceae, native to central and southern Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia; it is also naturalised in northern Europe, including the British Isles and Scandinavia, and North America.It is a deciduous shrub growing up to 4 m high...
), European Cornel (Cornus mas), European spindle (Euonymus europaeus), Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), etc.
Fauna
There are several endemic subspecies of birds, of which the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo), Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus), Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus), Stock Dove (Columba oenas), Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola), Woodlark (Lullula arborea), Mute Swan (Cygnus olor), Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix), Caspian Titmouse (Poecile hyrcanus) subspecies of the TitmouseTitmouse
The tits, chickadees, and titmice constitute Paridae, a large family of small passerine birds which occur in the northern hemisphere and Africa...
; the Caucasus Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus colchicus) subspecies of the Common Pheasant
Common Pheasant
The Common Pheasant , is a bird in the pheasant family . It is native to Georgia and has been widely introduced elsewhere as a game bird. In parts of its range, namely in places where none of its relatives occur such as in Europe , it is simply known as the "pheasant"...
are common.
The Caspian tiger (Panthera tigris virgata) once roamed these mountains, but is now extinct. Other large mammals here are the lynx (Lynx lynx), brown bear (Ursus arctos), wild boar (Sus scrofa), wolf (Canis lupus), golden jackal (Canis aureus), jungle cat (Felis chaus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), badger (Meles meles), etc.
The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) subspecies of the leopard
Leopard
The leopard , Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion, and jaguar. The leopard was once distributed across eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa, but its...
, lives in the southern regions in Azerbaijan, primarily in the Talysh Mountains, Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, lying between Lower Karabakh and Zangezur and covering the southeastern range of the Lesser Caucasus mountains...
and Nakhichevan
Nakhichevan
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a landlocked exclave of Azerbaijan. The region covers 5,363 km² and borders Armenia to the east and north, Iran to the south and west, and Turkey to the northwest...
. Despite occasional sightings, it was not clear whether leopards had been extinct in Azerbaijan by the late 1990s until a species was caught on camera in March, 2007 in the Hirkan National Park
Hirkan National Park
Hirkan National Park — is a national park of Azerbaijan. It was established by the decree of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, in an area in Lankaran Rayon and Astara Rayon administrative districts on February 9, 2004 on the basis of the former "Hirkan State Reserve" which it superseded,...
. However it is still not clear if leopards live in the Göygöl National Park.
See also
- Nature of AzerbaijanNature of AzerbaijanThe environment of Azerbaijan includes a wide diversity of climates, animals, plants, and habitats.-National protection:Due to the tapping of oil reserves in the early 20th century, Azerbaijan has had sufficient resources to develop an industrial sector, which in turn led to a significant increase...
- National Parks of AzerbaijanNational Parks of AzerbaijanNational Parks of Azerbaijan refers to the situation and the listing of national parks in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The national parks of Azerbaijan are run by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The first national park that was established in Azerbaijan, is the Zangezur National Park...
- State Reserves of AzerbaijanState Reserves of AzerbaijanState Reserves of Azerbaijan refers to the state reserves in Azerbaijan, which preserve the fauna, flora and their ecosystems.State Reserves bear the status of governmental establishments aimed at environmental protection and scientific researches. They are particularly designed for the protection...
- List of protected areas of Azerbaijan