Hirkan National Park Tops Azerbaijan’s Red Book List for Rare Plant Species

Jerusalem, 22 May, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Baku (AZERTAC) – The Hirkan National Park ranks first in Azerbaijan in terms of the number of plant species included in the “Red Book.”

This was stated by Academician Irada Huseynova, Vice-President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Director General of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies of the Ministry of Science and Education, in an interview with AZERTAC.

The “Red Book” refers to Azerbaijan’s official Red Data Book, a national document listing rare, endangered, and threatened species of plants and animals found in the country.

Huseynova said that Azerbaijan’s specially protected natural areas play an important role in the protection of ecosystems and rare species. There are certain differences between these areas in terms of plant diversity and the number of species included in the “Red Book.”

“Research and analysis of the “Red Books” of the Republic of Azerbaijan show that Hirkan National Park, Zagatala State Nature Reserve, Ismayilli State Nature Reserve and Goygol National Park stand out in terms of the number of rare, endemic and relict species included in all three editions. Hirkan National Park is in first place. Among the main reasons for this are the relic flora elements inherited from the Paleogene period of this region, as well as the humid subtropical climate. The Hirkan fir, Hirkan poplar, Lankaran rosehip, berry-bearing blackthorn and other rare plant species included in the “Red Book” are widespread here,” Huseynova said.

The park is located in southeastern Azerbaijan.