Wildlife of
Dagestan

Dry steppes and grass-dominated plains on the Caspian lowlands and interior basins; often transitioning into semi-desert vegetation with salt- and drought-tolerant plants.

Large areas of the northern and northeastern lowlands; common across plains and gently rolling terrain.

Semi-desert and salt-desert features in the driest parts of the Caspian Depression influence zone (arid continental climate), including sparse shrub/halophyte communities on sandy or saline soils.

Patchy but locally prominent in the driest lowland sectors, especially toward the north/coastal-plain margins.

Foothill and mid-montane forests (broadleaf-dominated with mixed stands), especially in more humid mountain exposures and river valleys of the Greater Caucasus slopes.

Discontinuous belt on mountain foothills and mid-elevations; more extensive in wetter southern/mountain sectors than on the lowlands.

High-elevation subalpine and alpine zones with alpine meadows, rocky scree, and nival features above the treeline in the Greater Caucasus.

Upper mountain belt along the Greater Caucasus crest and high ridges; limited in area but ecologically distinct.

Mountain rivers, gorges, springs, and reservoirs (notably major river systems draining to the Caspian), with cold fast-flowing headwaters transitioning to slower lowland reaches.

Linear network across the republic; densest in mountain watersheds and major valleys.

River deltas, floodplain wetlands, reedbeds, coastal lagoons, and seasonally inundated lowlands-important for migratory and breeding birds along the Caspian flyway.

Concentrated along the Caspian coastal plain and at river mouths/deltas; also along major floodplains inland.

Caspian Sea coastal and nearshore marine environments, including sandy beaches, shallow shelves, and brackish-influenced near-delta waters.

Along the entire Dagestan Caspian shoreline; most extensive in shallow nearshore and shelf areas.

Open dry steppe on the Caspian lowlands with feather-grass and other drought-tolerant grasses; widely converted or fragmented by agriculture and grazing.

Grass-dominated plains and foothill openings, including pasturelands and semi-natural grasslands in valleys and lower slopes.

Arid and semi-arid shrub communities (including salt-tolerant shrubs) on sandy/saline soils and degraded steppe sites.

Semi-desert patches with sparse vegetation on saline flats and sandy areas in the driest lowland zones.

Montane and foothill forest mosaics on the Greater Caucasus slopes, shaped by elevation, aspect, and moisture gradients.

Broadleaf-dominated forests in foothills and mid-elevations, often in more humid exposures and sheltered valleys.

Scattered conifer components at higher elevations and in mixed montane stands, depending on local climate and exposure.

Subalpine and alpine meadow belts above the treeline with high herb diversity; important summer grazing areas and key habitat for mountain fauna.

Rugged Greater Caucasus terrain with sharp elevation gradients, creating many microclimates and isolated habitats.

Rock faces and canyon walls in mountain gorges supporting cliff-nesting birds and specialized rock-dwelling plants.

Localized karst/rock shelters and cave systems in mountainous areas, providing bat roosts and unique subterranean microhabitats.

Major rivers and tributaries (e.g., Terek, Sulak, Samur) with strong mountain-to-lowland ecological transitions and productive riparian corridors.

Small natural lakes and man-made reservoirs; important stopover and breeding sites for waterbirds in lowlands and valleys.

Floodplains, reedbeds, and deltaic wetlands along the Caspian lowlands-highly productive and biodiversity-rich.

Reed and sedge marshes in delta/floodplain settings, especially near coastal lowlands and river mouths.

River-mouth mixing zones and brackish coastal inlets along the Caspian, with high fish nursery value and bird habitat.

Caspian shoreline habitats including dunes, lagoons, and coastal wetlands; sensitive to sea-level fluctuation and development.

Sandy Caspian beaches and dune-backed shores, locally important for recreation and coastal biodiversity.

Localized rocky coastal segments and nearshore hard substrates, less common than sandy shores but ecologically distinct.

Shallow-shelf and deeper Caspian seabed habitats supporting benthic communities and key fish feeding grounds.

Offshore Caspian waters beyond the immediate nearshore zone (functionally 'open' marine habitat within an enclosed sea).

Deeper Caspian basins offshore (relative to the shelf) with colder, darker water and distinct benthic assemblages.

Lowland croplands, orchards, and irrigated fields concentrated on plains and river valleys; a major driver of habitat conversion.

Urban/industrial areas (notably along the Caspian corridor and major valleys) with associated fragmentation and coastal pressures.