Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia

“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project

Mission Report on the Visit to Syunik Pilot Project Sites 18-21 April 2012

Essi Ulander United Nations Volunteer

Yerevan, 27 April 2012 “Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

Content

1 Purpose of the Mission ...... 3 2 Forest Rehabilitation Pilot Project in Kapan Forest Enterprise ...... 3 3 Forest Rehabilitation Pilot Project in “Arevik” National Park ...... 7 4 Forest Rehabilitation Pilot Project in Syunik (Goris) Forest Enterprise ...... 10 5 Forestation Pilot Project at Tatev Monastery ...... 12 6 Annexes ...... 17 Annex 1: Mission itinerary ...... 17

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

1 Purpose of the Mission

1. A field mission was organised between the 18th and the 21st of April, 2012 to the Syunik region to observe and assess the on-going reforestation activities of the UNDP/GEF/00051202 “Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” project. All of the project’s four forest rehabilitation pilot project sites located in the Syunik (Goris) and Kapan Forest Enterprises of “Hayantar” State Non-Commercial Organisation, “Arevik” National Park State Non-Commercial Organisation and the Monastery Complex of Tatev were visited during the field trip. Additionally the mission aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the forest fire management capacity strengthening activities conducted by the project and particularly to monitor the quality and maintenance of the forest fire early response equipment, off-road vehicles and horses provided by the project to the forest management units in the Syunik region. 2. The participants of the mission included Mr. Aram Ter-Zakaryan, UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Task Leader, Mr. Grigor Akhnoyan, UNDP Procurement Officer, Ms. Essi Ulander, UNV Adaptive Forest Management Specialist and Mr. Ashot Stepanyan, Logistic/Driver. On the sites, the mission participants were accompanied by FE and “Arevik” National Park employees (Director and FE/NP workers) as well as by Mr. Vladik Martirosyan, Project Local Expert and Mr. Arman Aleksanyan, Project Local Monitor. 3. An evaluation of the field observations is presented in this mission report. The results of the mission will be taken into consideration in further implementation and assessment of the UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project.

2 Forest Rehabilitation Pilot Project in Kapan Forest Enterprise

4. The Kapan pilot project site, which is located in the Davit Bek Forest Area of Kapan Forest Enterprise of “Hayantar” SNCO, was visited on the 18th of April, 2012. The targets, past activities carried out on the 20 hectare reforestation site, which is located in a burned juniper open woodland area, as well as previous evaluations of the pilot are presented in more detail in the pilot project design report, pilot implementation and monitoring fact sheets and in other project reports. 5. Forest rehabilitation began on the Kapan site in spring 2010. Seeds and seedlings of Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch. and Juniperus foetidissima Willd. as well as seeds and seedlings of Quercus macranthera have been planted on the site as reported in the pilot implementation fact sheets. In 2011 oak and juniper seedlings were planted on the site during infilling. No germination of the sown seeds has been observed on the site. 6. During the April 2012 field visit a relatively good survival of the seedlings was observed (ocular rather than systematic observations). No significant differences were observed in the survival of different species based on the ocular field observations. This is more or less in line with the results of the latest systematic survival rate monitoring conducted in October 2011. However, it should be noted that the early timing of the field visit made it difficult in some cases to assess the health of the seedlings. (Fig. 1 & 2).

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

7. Some of the juniper seedlings planted in the fall of 2011 were observed to either have been planted too deep or to have been partially covered by soil during tillage. 8. Holes prepared for oak seedlings in sector 1 (see map in pilot project design report) were relatively small with some holes having a radius of approximately 10 cm. The relatively small oak seedlings planted in the sector would benefit from larger holes protecting them from excess competition from the tall grass species growing on the site (Fig. 3). Otherwise the soil preparation on the Kapan site is in general of good quality. 9. Furthermore it appeared that grass has not been mowed on sector 1 around the planted oak seedlings in (late) summer 2011. Grass mowing is included in the maintenance plan on the site and is essential for removing competition on the grassy site. Grass mowing has been conducted elsewhere on the Kapan site during summer 2011 (note: entire area was not monitored). 10. It is planned that agro-technical care and watering will be conducted on the site in 2012. 11. The foresters of the Kapan FE suggested the use of fertilisers to improve the growth and survival of the planted seedlings on the site. According to the local foresters, the soil has low nitrogen levels, but has sufficient levels of other primary nutrients. The possibility of using fertiliser on perhaps a pilot sector on the site under the project or sometime in the future should be discussed further. 12. Clear signs of damage caused by wild boars can be observed on the site. The boars have been reported to have caused damage previously to the sown oak seeds. 13. Some of the burned junipers on the site have been cut in 2011. No details were given of the extent of the activity or if the cutting is planned to be continued. 14. In the survival rate monitoring conducted on the site in October 2011, a planting density of 990 seedlings per hectare on average between the 4 sectors of the site was reported. The average survival rate reported in the same monitoring was 47.5% varying between 46% and 49% on the separate sectors. The average density of survived seedlings was thus 470 seedlings per hectare varying between 420-540 seedlings per hectare between the sectors. Since then, about 700 juniper seedlings were planted additionally on the site in fall 2011 to cover non-survived seedlings/seeds which were planted/sown in 2010 (the numbers are subject to confirmation by Hayantar’s formal reporting). The initial target (planting) density cited in the project design is 700 seedlings per hectare. For the final assessment of the reforestation activities and the wider dissemination of lessons learned from the piloted measures, the target density and threshold levels used for infilling should be clarified. Survival rate monitoring will be conducted also in 2012. 15. The areas regenerated do not fully match those depicted in the original map. This is partly due to some parts of the planned reforestation sectors being too rocky for planting. It should be clarified, which areas (location and surface area) have been reforested. For this purpose, it would be practical to use a GPS device. 16. In addition to visiting the reforestation site, the quality and maintenance of the forest fire early response equipment and horses donated to the Kapan FE under the project’s activities targeting the wildfire management capacities of forest managers was monitored as well. Three horses out of the provided ten were seen together with the off-road vehicle with the installed slip-on unit

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

(Fig. 4). The horses seemed to be in fair condition. One of the three horses was pregnant. It was not reported if other mares are pregnant. Also the fire fighting equipment was in good condition. A more specific survey is planned to be completed on the use and maintenance of the aforementioned tools and horses. Figure 1. The juniper seedlings in the Kapan forest rehabilitation site were observed to be in relative good condition.

Figure 2. No significant difference was observed during the field visit in the survival of different juniper species or juniper seedlings of different ages. The observations are not based on a systematic survey nor were all parts of the area monitored during the visit.

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

Figure 3. The oaks planted in sector 1 of the Kapan pilot project site were relatively small. In some cases, the seedlings would benefit from larger holes removing competition from grasses.

Figure 4. Three out of the ten donated horses were monitored during the field visit.

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

3 Forest Rehabilitation Pilot Project in “Arevik” National Park

17. The pilot site located in the Nyuvadi-Shvanidzor sector of “Arevik” National Park SNCO was visited on the 19th of April, 2012. The details of the Arevik pilot design and forest rehabilitation targets, past activities carried out on the 20 hectare site, which has been fragmented due to an insect outbreak and fire, as well as previous evaluations of the pilot are reported in more detail in the pilot project design report, pilot implementation and monitoring fact sheets and in other project reports. 18. Forest rehabilitation began on the Arevik site in autumn 2010. Seedlings of ash-tree, hornbeam, maple, wild apple and wild pear as well as seeds of oak were initially planted on the site in 2010 and 2011. No germination of oak seeds has been observed on the site, and accordingly infilling was planned for fall 2011. Due to the early arrival of winter, the planting was postponed until spring 2012. 19. It was observed during the field visit that in addition to the originally intended species, about 100 beech seedlings have been planted along the stream located on the site (sector 2-1) to pilot their survival in local conditions. 20. During the field visit the 4000 ash-seedlings were being planted on the different sectors of the site (Fig. 5). The sectors are located on the fragmented plots in the forest area (see map in pilot project design report). It was not specified in more detail during the field visit to which sectors the ash seedlings were going to be planted. The new seedlings were marked with red paint as requested earlier by the project team to better enable the monitoring of survival between different years. Some of the seedlings to be planted in spring 2012 were relatively sizeable, although there was large variation in the age of the seedlings. In general, the seedlings to be planted seemed to be of good quality. As per the Director of “Arevik” NP SNCO, the seedlings were purchased in Autumn 2011 with clod, but due to the improper weather conditions for planting, the seedlings were stored over the winter buried in an area located at lower altitude nearby the pilot site and were then delivered to the reforestation area immediately before the planting. At the time of planting, the seedlings had bare roots (Fig. 6). 21. In general, the soil preparation was of good quality and the holes prepared for the seedlings were of adequate size. This will lower the competition from other plants. Also holes prepared earlier in the Arevik site are of good quality. Note, however, that a sector located on the upper border of the forest area, where seedlings have been planted in trenches, was not visited. 22. Approximately 50% survival of the seedlings was reported in spring 2012 by the local foresters in Arevik, which is in line with the survival rate monitoring results from October 2011. 23. The survival rate monitoring was revised in 2011 and it is planned that also quantitative surveying of natural regeneration will be included in the monitoring. Different levels of natural regeneration, if any, are observed on the different sectors of the Arevik site (Fig. 7). Additionally coppicing has been done on some parts of the site (Fig. 8). Quantitative information of the level of natural regeneration is necessary to obtain accurate information of the established forest on the site (density and species composition) as well as for assessing if the supplemental planting is enough to achieve the targets set for the forest rehabilitation. Currently, the density of survived seedlings is relatively low on the site due to the lack of germination of oak seeds and

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

survival rate of planted seedlings (average density reported in October 2011 is 760 survived seedlings per hectare). The 4000 seedlings planted this spring are not included in the average. 24. In general, the design of the survival rate monitoring to be conducted on all of the forest rehabilitation sites in fall 2012 and in spring 2013 prior to the development of the lessons learned manual should be revised so as to ensure that the monitoring provides adequate information for the assessment of the pilot projects based on the set targets and corresponding indicators. 25. The forest fire early response equipment donated to the Arevik National Park was monitored at the headquarters of the National Park. After the donation of the equipment in July 2011, there have been no fire cases in the area and the equipment has not been used yet. The slip-on-unit (modified with an additional hose) has been used only for the watering of the reforestation site. At the moment of the visit, the slip-on-unit was not installed to a pick-up truck as the unit has been kept in storage during the winter period. As mentioned above, a more specific survey is planned to be completed on the use and maintenance of the aforementioned tools as well as on the perceived benefits of the donated equipment.

Figure 5. 4000 ash-tree seedlings were being planted on Figure 6. The planted ash-tree seedlings were bare the Arevik pilot project site during the field visit. In root seedlings. general, soil preparation was of good quality. 8

“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

Figure 7. Different levels of natural regeneration are observed on the different sectors of the Arevik pilot project site. It is necessary to include a quantitative analysis of natural regeneration into the survival rate monitoring to obtain accurate information of the established seedling stand on the site as well as to assess if the supplemental planting is enough to achieve the targets set for the forest rehabilitation.

Figure 8. To support natural regeneration, coppicing has been carried out on some parts of the site before and during the pilot project.

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

4 Forest Rehabilitation Pilot Project in Syunik (Goris) Forest Enterprise

26. The Goris pilot project site, which is located in Shurnukh Forest Area of Syunik (Goris) Forest Enterprise of “Hayantar” SNCO, was visited on the 20th of April, 2012. The details of the Goris pilot project design, targets of the forest rehabilitation, activities carried out on the two separate 10 and 5 hectare reforestation sites located in the degraded and fragmented forest area, as well as previous evaluations of the pilot are reported in more detail in the pilot project design report, pilot implementation and monitoring fact sheets and in other project reports. 27. The Goris pilot project was the first one to begin out of the four pilots under the UNDP/GEF/00051202 project. Reforestation started on the site in fall 2009. Oak, ash-tree, maple, wild apple and elm seedlings have been planted on the site in trenches over the course of 2009, 2010 and 2011. 28. Additionally 4000 ash-tree seedlings were planted by the Syunik (Goris) FE on the site in spring 2012 as an additional contribution from “Hayantar” SNCO, which was not planned before (subject to confirmation by Hayantar’s formal reporting). 29. Significant difference in the survival of seedlings was observed between the two sectors of the main 10 hectare reforestation area (see map in pilot project design report). Survival of planted seedlings has been lower on sector 1-1 of the Goris site after each growing season partly due to the lack of adequate soil layer on the sector. The survival rate reported for the sector in the last survival rate monitoring conducted in October 2011 was 39%. The ocular estimation of the survival rate after the winter was estimated to be lower than this. However, a systematic survey was not conducted. Survival was significantly better on sector 1-2 (Fig. 9 & 10). In the last systematic monitoring the survival rate was reported to be 60% on this sector. In addition to the soil conditions, the poor survival of seedlings on sector 1-1 was estimated to have been caused by the dry summer as well as atypically severe winter 2011-2012. 30. The separate 5 hectare reforestation area was not visited during the mission. It was reported by the Project Local Expert that the survival of seedlings in the sector is good also after the winter. The survival rate reported in the previous monitoring in October 2011 was 61%. 31. The repeated low survival of the planted seedlings especially in sector 1-1 prompted the discussion about the species choice for the sector. It was discussed with the Local Expert that perhaps drought-tolerant shrub and tree species, such as Crataegus orientalis or Celtis glabrata, would be more suitable for the site. However, it should be discussed whether the targets set for the pilot would be achieved with a different species choice as well as whether the targets will be met feasibly with the current approach. Furthermore, for the final assessment of the reforestation activities and the wider dissemination of lessons learned from the piloted measures, it should be clarified what is the target density as well as the threshold level for infilling set for the site (planting density 4700-5000 seedlings per ha, current density in sector 1-1 1840 seedlings per ha, sector 1-2 3000 seedlings per ha, sector 2 3060 seedlings per ha; the seedlings planted in spring 2012 are not included in these results). 32. The fire equipment donated to Syunik (Goris) FE was not monitored during the mission. It was reported by the Director of the FE, however, that the equipment has been used on several occasions to suppress wildfires, including in preventing a wildfire from spreading to a VivaCell

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telecommunication tower. As above, a more specific survey is planned to be completed on the use and maintenance of the forest fire early response tools as well as the donated horses. One horse out of the donated ten was monitored during the field visit. The horse seemed to be in good condition (Fig. 11). It was reported by the director of the FE, that 4 of the donated horses are pregnant at the moment. Figures 9 & 10. There was great variation in the survival of seedlings on different parts of the Goris pilot project site. Survival of seedlings was observed to be significantly higher on sector 1-2 (in pictures) compared to sector 1-1.

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

Figure 11. One out of the ten donated horses was seen during the field trip. The horse seemed to be in good condition.

5 Forestation Pilot Project at Tatev Monastery

33. The small scale forestation project located on the premises of the Tatev Monastery Complex was visited on the 21st of April, 2012. The 1.8 hectare forest plantation is the most recently launched pilot under the UNDP/GEF/00051202 project and work began on the site in the autumn of 2011. The area is planted with wild endemic fruit and nut tree and shrub species as well as with other endemic tree species. Planted species include Morus sp., Corylus avellana, Juglans regia, Prunus divaricata, Pyrus caucasica, Malus orientalis, Crataegus orientalis, Berberis vulgaris, Mespilus sp., Celtis glabrata, Salix caprea, Acer campestre, Quercus macranthera, Fraxinus excelsior and Ulmus parvifolia. The planting design for the Tatev Monastery site is presented below in figure 12. The site consists of 1.6 hectare and 0.2 hectare forestation sectors. The smaller 0.2 hectare sector is planted entirely with walnut (sector 8 in the picture). All of the above mentioned species are planted on the 1.6 hectare forestation area.

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

Figure 12. The forestation area on the premises of the Tatev Monastery Complex consists of two separate areas, which are 1.6 and 0.2 hectares respectively. 10 different species of endemic fruit and nut trees and bushes and 5 species of other endemic trees have been planted on the site. The 0.2 hectare sector (sector 8) has been planted entirely with Juglans regia.

34. The survival of the seedlings planted in November 2011 was observed to be good during the field visit. The planted seedlings vary in size with some being relatively large. The site is located next to a stream, which increases the humidity on the site. (Fig. 13, 14 & 15). 35. Natural regeneration is observed on some parts of the site. Species observed included e.g. willow. The site could be opportune for vigorously growing species thriving on riparian sites, such as willow. 36. The planted site is located in a regular grazing area and fencing the site as soon as possible is very important for the success of the forestation. Signs of damage caused previously by goats were visible on the site (Fig. 16). The fencing work is planned to be conducted shortly and the initiative has the support of the Father Superior of the Tatev Monastery.

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

37. The separate area planted with walnut located on a very steep slope above the stream (Fig. 17 & 18) was not visited during the mission. Local foresters reported that the survival of the walnut seedlings was good on the sector. Five seedlings had, however, been stolen after the planting. 38. Planned interventions on the site for summer 2012 include agro-technical care and watering.

Figure 13. The seedlings planted on the Tatev Figure 14. Salix caprea has been planted along the monastery reforestation site were observed to be in good stream, which flows next to the reforestation site. condition in April 2012. Also natural regeneration of willows was observed on the site.

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

Figure 15. The main 1.6 hectare forestation area at the Tatev Monastery.

Figure 16. The planted site is located in a regular grazing area and fencing the site as soon as possible is very important for the success of the forestation. Signs of damage caused by goats can be observed on naturally regenerated trees.

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

Figure 17. The 0.2 hectare area forested entirely with Juglans regia is located on a steep hill below the wall of the monastery.

Figure 18. Holes were prepared for planting in fall 2011 on the Tatev forestation site.

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

6 Annexes

Annex 1: Mission itinerary

Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia “Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Medium‐sized Project

FIELD VISIT 18‐21 April 2012 Syunik Marz TRAVEL SCHEDULE

Wednesday, 18 April 2012 09:30‐15:00 Transfer: Yerevan‐Kapan 15:00‐15:30 Lunch 15:30‐17:30 Visit to Kapan/Geghi reforestation pilot project site 17:30‐18:30 Visit to monitor the provided horses (Kapan area) Overnight in Kapan (Dian Dian) Thursday, 19 April 2012 09:30‐10:30 Transfer: Kapan‐Shvanidzor 10:30‐14:00 Visit to Meghri(Shvanidzor) reforestation pilot project site 14:00‐14:30 Transfer: Shvanidzor‐Meghri 14:30‐15:30 Lunch 16:00‐17:30 Visit to the office of «Arevik» National Park Overnight in Meghri (Mila Hotel) Friday, 20 April 2012 11:00‐14:00 Transfer: Meghri‐Goris/Shurnukh 14:00‐15:30 Visit to Goris/Shurnukh reforestation pilot project site 16:00‐16:30 Lunch 16:30‐18:30 Visit to monitor the provided horses (Syunik(Goris) FE area) Overnight in Goris (Olympia Hotel)

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“Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” UNDP/GEF/00051202 Project Mission Report 18.-21.4.2012

Sunday, 21 April 2012 09:30‐10:30 Transfer: Goris‐Tatev 10:30‐12:30 Visit to Tatev forestation pilot project site 12:30‐14:30 Visit to Tatev Monastery and meeting with Tatev Monastery Abbot on forestation pilot project 14:30‐20:00 Transfer: Tatev‐Yerevan (lunch on the way)

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