CR

Aragatsian Buttercup

Ranunculus aragazi

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Ranunculus aragazi faces severe threats from habitat degradation due to overgrazing by livestock in its alpine meadow habitats. Climate change poses an additional critical threat, as rising temperatures force this cold-adapted species to retreat to increasingly limited high-altitude refugia. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances and environmental changes.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic buttercup species inhabits high-altitude alpine meadows and rocky slopes in the Caucasus Mountains, typically occurring between 2,000-3,000 meters elevation. It requires well-drained, nutrient-poor soils in areas with short growing seasons and prolonged snow cover.

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Aragatsian Buttercup classified as Critically Endangered?
Aragatsian Buttercup is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Ranunculus aragazi faces severe threats from habitat degradation due to overgrazing by livestock in its alpine meadow habitats. Climate change poses an additional critical threat, as rising temperatures force this cold-adapted species to retreat to increasingly limited high-altitude refugia. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances and environmental changes.
Where does Aragatsian Buttercup live?
Aragatsian Buttercup occurs in Armenia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Aragatsian Buttercup?
The main threats to Aragatsian Buttercup are 2.1, 2.3, 5.3, and 6.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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