The herbarium fund preserves 10,935 herbarium specimens collected from Karabakh. Recent monitoring conducted in the territories liberated from occupation shows that while a number of plant species have suffered serious damage, most geophyte plants have retained their viability.

 

The scientist noted that 10,935 herbarium specimens collected before the occupation from various regions of Karabakh — Shusha, Lachin, Jabrayil, Aghdam and other territories — are currently preserved in the herbarium fund and play an important scientific role as a basis for studying the plant diversity of the region. In recent years, institute staff have carried out expeditions and comparative monitoring in various seasons in the territories liberated from occupation. The aim of the research was to assess the changes that have occurred in plant diversity by comparing historical herbarium materials with the current state of the flora.

 

Our interviewee noted that, according to the monitoring results, a number of plant species suffered serious damage during the occupation period, and some species are no longer observed in the areas where they were previously recorded. At the same time, most geophyte plants — bulbous, rhizomatous and tuberous species — have retained their viability thanks to their underground organs. The research also shows that greater damage was done to certain trees and tall herbaceous plants. The results obtained are of great importance for the restoration of the flora diversity of Karabakh and East Zangezur, the preservation of biodiversity, and the planning of future scientific research.