Sabalan: a symbol of biodiversity and high peaks of South Caucasus-Iran

Sabalan is the third highest peak in Iran and one of the high mountain ranges of the South Caucasus in Iran. The Sabalan Mountain has three famous peaks, whose great peak is called the Savalan Sultan, located at an altitude of 4811 meters above sea level. The other two peaks are the Heram and Kasra located on the northern and southern sides of the main peak. The Sabalan peak is in the list of natural national treasures of the country with the registration number 12 /19496. This ecosystem is rich in plant and animal species due to its biodiversity, valleys and slopes. The presence of alpine, subalpine, and some endemic species is a feature of the Sabalan ecosystem. High peaks over 4,000 meters above sea level with glaciers has provided the grounds for the formation of meadows, unique landscapes and consequently, good conditions for the range management, beekeeping, tourism and mountaineering. The nomadic community of Elsuvan (Shahsuvan) is the only population in the area exploiting rangelands. Regarding the damages caused in Sabalan due to overgrazing, climate change, exploitation of medicinal plants in natural habitats, development of the road system in these mountains and tourism programs, the necessity of reviewing the environmental management of the area and paying attention to the sustainable exploitation of the Sabalan ecosystem is very important and a matter of necessity and urgency.