WETLAND VEGETATION OF AZERBAIJAN

Wetland ecosystems play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, maintaining hydrological balance, and providing essential ecosystem services.This study investigates the distribution, floristic composition, and ecological characteristics of wetland vegetation in Azerbaijan, based on scientific principles.Wetland phytocenoses have been recorded across various regions with diverse hydrological and edaphic conditions, including the Kura-Araz lowland, Caspian Sea coastal zones (Samur-Shabran and Lankaran lowlands), Absheron Peninsula, Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains, Talysh Mountains, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Sumgaitchay Basin, Neftchala District, Gizilagach Bay, and Lake Vaykhyr.The study identifies Phragmiteta, Junceta, and Typheta phytocenoses as the dominant vegetation formations in Azerbaijan's wetland ecosystems.Wetland plants are highly sensitive to ecological changes, undergoing significant structural and compositional alterations in response to hydrological regime changes, nutrient enrichment, sediment accumulation, and pollutants.These shifts directly affect water chemistry, soil properties, and trophic interactions within ecosystems.The findings confirm that wetland plants serve as reliable bioindicators of ecosystem health.However, oil pollution, soil erosion, and anthropogenic alterations to land and water regimes have caused the degradation of some wetland ecosystems.To mitigate these threats and ensure resilience, the implementation of phytoremediation and ecological restoration measures is strongly recommended.This research provides essential scientific and practical foundations for the monitoring and conservation of Azerbaijan's wetland ecosystems.