• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (2000 baseline)
Arpi reservoir, located in the very north-west of Armenia, evolved in the 1950s from the small Lake Arpi. Fed by thaws and four streams, it is the source of the Akhurian river. The landscape is mountain steppe with mostly grassy alpine vegetation. The site is adjacent to wetlands. In spring the reservoir floods, and water covers an area of 20 km²and two islands (2 and 4 ha) form. By autumn, when the lake waters are used for irrigation, the shores of the two islands merge.

Key biodiversity
More than 100 species have been observed around Lake Arpi. Of special concern is the large breeding colony of Larus armenicus; 7,000-10,000 pairs are known to breed on the two islands, comprising 60% of the population in Armenia. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Pelecanus crispus (breeding every 2-5 years, juveniles visiting annually).

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lake Arpi (Armenia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-arpi-iba-armenia on 22/12/2024.