Lake Arpi.06/07/93; Shirak Province; 3,230 ha; 41°03'N 043°37'E. National Park, IBA, State Sanctuary (Government approval pending). Lake Arpi is a freshwater lake high in the Ashotzk Mountains, fed by small rivers, springs and melt-water and fringed by marshy areas giving way to meadows and meadow-steppe. The Ramsar site consists of four sub-sites including Lake Arpi, the human-made wetlands of Alvar Sanctuary as well as the ephemeral wetlands of Ardenis Sanctuary consisting of Ardenis pond and the wet meadows of Aghvorik. The area is of botanical importance, supporting several species rare in Armenia such as the Yellow water-lily (Nuphar luteum) for which the oxbow lakes of Alvar Sanctuary are the only habitat in the country. Numerous species of waterbirds occur and include species endangered in Armenia or globally threatened such as Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus). The site also hosts the largest breeding colony of Armenian Gull (Larus armenicus) with 5,000-8,000 pairs, which equals 20-30% of all breeding individuals of this population. Furthermore, the site supports a diversity of mammals and fish, although the lake is threatened by overfishing resulting in the depletion of fish populations. Artificial increase in lake levels has replaced formerly rich aquatic vegetation with reed beds. Ramsar site no. 621. Most recent RIS information: 2011.