Editing Dushanbe (section)

=== Flora and fauna ===
Before the 20th century, the city had some vegetation such as bushes of Bukhara almonds, but the creation of the city mostly removed natural vegetation. The [[green belt]], however, and the botanical garden introduced new vegetation to the city. The city has over 150 species of trees and shrubs, with only about 15 native to the city<ref name="Dushanbe Encyc-2004" /> and 22% of the city being occupied by green space.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Environmental Protection|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/65068362|title=Dushanbe : ėnt︠s︡iklopedii︠a︡|publisher=Glavnai︠a︡ nauchnai︠a︡ redakt︠s︡ii︠a︡ Tadzhikskoĭ nat︠s︡ionalʹnoĭ ėnt︠s︡iklopedii|others=Dinorshoev, Muso.|year=2004|isbn=5-89870-071-4|location=Dushanbe|oclc=65068362|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028115236/http://dushanbe.tj/img/ENS.doc|archive-date=28 October 2010}}</ref>

There are 14 identified species of mammals in urban Dushanbe, including a fox, a weasel, the [[marbled polecat]], the [[long-eared hedgehog]], five bats, and five rodents. There are 130 identified bird species in the city, such as [[rock pigeons]], [[blue pigeon]]s, and [[Turtle Doves|turtle doves]]. Migratory birds are common, often staying only in fall and summer. There are 47 identified reptiles in Dushanbe, such as [[gecko]]s, [[snake]]s, [[lizard]]s, and [[turtle]]s. [[Amphibian]]s, like the [[marsh frog]] and the [[Bufotes|green toad]], live in the cleaner water bodies of the city. The 14 identified fish species of Dushanbe live in the rivers, lakes, and ponds of the city. Some species are the [[Schizothorax|marinka]], the Tajik [[Char (fish)|char]], and the [[Glyptosternon|Turkestan catfish]] in the [[Varzob River|Varzob rivers]], along with 7 in the [[Kofarnihon River|Kofarnikhon]], and species like [[carp]], [[goldfish]], [[Striped shiner|striped swine]], and [[Mosquitofish|mosquito fish]] in the lakes and ponds. 300 identified species of insects inhabit the city, mostly [[cicada]]s, [[Psyllidae|psyllids]], [[aphid]]s, [[scale insect]]s, [[Bug (insect)|bugs]], [[beetle]]s, and [[Butterfly|butterflies]]. The [[Endemism|endemic]] Hissar grape hawk moth lives in the city as well, and [[malaria]]-carrying insects have been increasing in the city. [[Phytonematodes]] are a menace to plants in the city, with 55 distinct identified species, the most damaging of which are the [[root gall nematode]]s. Rare or endangered species include the [[List of Tachysphex species|radiant tachysphex]], the white-bellied arrow [[eagle]], and the [[European free-tailed bat]].<ref name="Dushanbe Encyc-2004" />