yet fully understood. The Goravan reservation supports a number of other wild plants in use by local peoples including several species of wild onions (Allium), Scorzonera, fragrant representatives of the mint family (Lamiaceae), and edible representatives of the carrot family (Apiaceae). Fauna Goravan State Reservation also supports about 36 species of vertebrate animals from 33 genera and 27 families (Tadevosyan, 2001), as well as various invertebrates. Seven species included into the National Red List: Horvath's sun-watcher lizard Phrynocephalus helioscopus horvathi (Agamidae) (Phrynocephalus persicus de Filippi, 1863), Transcaucasian racerunner Eremias pleskei (Lacertidae), Schneider's skink Eumeces schneideri, golden grass skink Trachylepis septemtaeniatus transcaucasicus (Scincidae), spur-thighed tortoise Testudo graeca armeniaca (Testudidae), trumpeter finch (Bucanetes githagineus) (Fringillidae), Dahl's gerbil Meriones meridianus dahli Schidlovski (Gerbillidae). The reptile fauna of the sanctuary is most well studied. It includes at least 13 species from 12 genera and 7 families. 3 relatively large lizard species: Caucasian mountain agama Laudakia caucasia, grass skink Trachypelis septemtaeniatus, and Shneider's skink Eumeces schneideri are linked to rock outcrops, which protect them from predators and overheat. Overage sized Shtrauch's racerunner (Eremias strauchi) is a kind of habitat generalist, which can be encountered among rock outcrops, as well as the sand, clay and hard brown soils. The small Ophisops elegans uses stony habitats. Two other small sized lizards Phrynocephalus persicus and Eremias pleskei are specifically linked to sandy habitats and their closest neighborhoods. Within sandy habitats 3 lizard species (P. persicus, E. strauchi and E. pleskei) partition their resources through differences in thermobiology, food preferences, hunting strategies and microhabitat use. Humid habitats of streams, as well as urban lands support relatively large striped lizard Lacerta strigata Existing threats Sandy semidesert, which is the most unusual habitat type of the Goravan reservation is gradually shrinking due to overgrazing, mining and reclamation of neighbouring lands. Sand mining destroys habitats of Calligonum polygonoides, Phrynocephalus horvathi, Eremias Pleskei and Testudo graeca. Travertine mining destroys habitats of Rhynopetalum gibbosum, Testudo greaca, Eumeces schneideri, Treachylepis septemtaeniatus etc. Overgrazing impacts Calligonum polygonoides, a number of ephemeroids including Rhynopetalum gibbosum, double flower tulip (Tulipa biflora), wolf iris (Iris lycotis), various wild anions (Allium ssp.) etc.,as well as small vertebrates Phrynocephalus helioscopus horvathi, juvenile Testudo graeca, who may get traumatised or even killed under the feet of multiple head herds of domestic sheep and goats, idly scattering the area of the reservation in all directions. Uncontrolled collection impacts Calligonum polygonoides, Phrynocephalus persicus, Testudo