DOI: https://doi.org/10.36719/2707-1146/62/23-27
Reserves and Prospects for the Use of the Medicinally Important Species Thymus Caucasicus Wild. Ex Ronniger
Abstract. The article provides information on the reserves, prospects for use, and conservation measures of Thymus caucasicus Wild. ex Ronniger, a species distributed in the Ganja–Gazakh region. As is known, the flora of Azerbaijan is remarkable for its rich phytocenoses of medicinally important plants that have no substitutes and are not found anywhere else in the world. Azerbaijan’s medicinal plant resources, which possess rich reserves, are exported abroad, where new pharmaceutical preparations are produced and then sold back to us at very high prices. As a result, natural reserves decline and the scope of use becomes limited. Taking all this into account, the species Thymus caucasicus, which is rich in essential oils, has been comprehensively studied.
The studies were conducted in the Ganja–Gazakh region—specifically in the Dashkasan, Gadabay, Shamkir, and Goygol districts—across various vegetation types at elevations of 700–1900 m above sea level. During our research, Thymus caucasicus was studied within different plant communities, and the reserves of the species were assessed. In the Shamkir and Tovuz districts, the reserves of Thymus caucasicus were very low compared to other districts, whereas in Gadabay, Dashkasan, and Goygol the reserves were satisfactory.
Therefore, implementing conservation measures for the species in the Shamkir and Tovuz districts is an urgent issue. Annual monitoring should be carried out in these areas, and the habitats where the species occurs should be protected. For populations of Th. caucasicus occupying small areas, small protected reserves should be established, and continuous monitoring of the populations should be ensured.
Keywords: medicinal plant, plant grouping, reserve, conservation measures