No. 39 Summer 2005

In this issue: • Special Section Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia • Ten Years of “March for Parks” in Russia • A Historic Park on the Shores of the Black Sea

PROMOTING BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN RUSSIA AND THROUGHOUT NORTHERN EURASIA Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia

By Way of an Introduction

onservationists around the world Cwidely recognize the Caucasus region as one of the Earth’s most biologically diverse. Boasting high species richness and levels of endemism, among other exceptional characteristics, this mountainous region between the Black and Caspian Seas is globally important for biodiversity conservation. In the upcoming section of this thirty-ninth issue of Russian Conservation News, we spotlight one of the countries at the heart of this special region: Armenia.

The following pages of the journal offer a rounded conservation profile of the country, including descrip- tions of its varied landscapes and rich biodiversity. Although the pres- ent Armenian state is no larger than Russia’s Lake Baikal, its landscapes are remarkably diverse, including semi-desert, juniper sparse forest, broadleaf forest, mountain steppe, and sub-alpine meadow habitats. These habitats harbor many rare species, such as the Persian leopard, which stealthily prowls Armenia’s southern regions. In this section, you will read about the research work of A view from Armenia’s highest peak, Mt. Aragats. two dedicated Armenian scientists to Photo by C. Santore. research and protect this extremely rare and elusive cat. We also offer an report on the deforestation threat, one of the country’s protected nature article on work conducted under the which emerged most noticeably after areas. Birds of Armenia Project to investi- the dissolution of the Soviet Union, gate the majestic raptors circling when acute economic and energy This reporting is part of our continu- the skies above the forests on crises plagued the newly independent ing commitment to cover conserva- Armenia’s highest peak, Mt. Aragats. Republic of Armenia. tion-related issues in the Caucasus region. It was made possible by the The upcoming pages also present In our coverage of Armenia, we will Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund. some of the pressing conservation also share with you a number of heart- For more information about this fund- challenges facing the country. You will ening conservation success stories, ing partnership between Conservation read about Armenia’s beloved and such as the reforestation and poverty International (CI), the Global beleaguered Lake Sevan, and the long- reduction work of the Armenia Tree Environment Facility (GEF), the lasting mark that unsustainable nature Project and a victorious campaign by Government of Japan, the MacArthur use policies during the Soviet era have Armenian and international activists Foundation, and the World Bank, left on this vast alpine lake. We also to reroute a highway planned to cross please see: http://www.cepf.net.

Summer 2005, No. 39 19 Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia Landscapes and Biodiversity in Armenia: An Overview

By Gohar Oganezova

rmenia is an ancient land, and The country harbors a sur- A although its name appeared on prising wealth of flora and maps belonging to the Egyptian fauna. In Armenia, 5,455 pharaohs, many people in the modern plant species1 are regis- world are unfamiliar with the nation’s tered, of which 3,015 whereabouts. Armenia’s territory has species are flowering decreased significantly since antiquity plants. Diverse vegetation and now just ten percent of its historic communities are also char- lands fall within the borders of the acteristic for the republic. contemporary Republic of Armenia. Steppe, meadow, mountain Situated on approximately 30,000 forests, different types of square kilometers in the southwestern open woodlands, alpine Transcaucasus region, Armenia is a and sub-alpine communi- small spot on the globe, but one well ties, swamps, semi-deserts, worth knowing. and islands of desert are among the many commu- Armenia is not only the smallest of the nities that comprise three republics in the southern Armenia’s surprising mosa- Map by M. Dubinin. Caucasus region (the others being ic of vegetation cover. Georgia and Azerbaijan), but it is also Arailer, in the central part of the coun- the most mountainous. It occupies the This diversity can be attributed to the try, are almost completely devoid of northern part of the Armenian Plateau country’s complex mountain relief. springs and receive very little precipi- and is located almost entirely at eleva- Armenia’s mountains have varied ori- tation. tions of at least 500 meters above sea gins. Some appeared as a result of tec- level. The highest point in the republic tonic shifts and others from the activi- It is also here in Armenia that two dif- is Mt. Aragats (4,095 meters above sea ty of numerous volcanoes. The coun- ferent floristic complexes meet: the level). The region’s largest alpine lake, try’s mountain chains run north-south moisture-loving Caucasian mesophytic Lake Sevan, is located in Armenia. Also and east-west and differ from one floristic complex and the Armenian- found here are the sources of numer- another in their moisture regimes. Iranian floristic complex, which is ous rivers in the Kura-Araks watershed, Some, such as the Murguz Chain in adapted to arid climates. The country which encompasses 200,000 square northeastern Armenia, have abundant is also regarded as one of the world’s kilometers in Armenia, Azerbaijan, springs and streams and receive much ancient cradles of agrobiodiversity. Georgia, and parts of Turkey and Iran. precipitation. Others, such as Mt. Numerous local, and for that reason

The Ararat Valley at dusk. Mt. Ararat is a 5,165-meter-tall snow-capped dormant volcanic cone located in northeastern Turkey. The peak, which was part of Armenian territory until 1915 when it fell to the Turks, remains a national symbol of Armenia. Photo by K. Avanyan.

20 Russian Conservation News Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia especially precious, types of apricots, peaches, apples, pears, walnuts, grains, and other cultivated plants are con- centrated here. Diverse populations of these crop plants’ wild relatives are also encountered here and they com- prise an important part of the repub- lic’s ecosystems.

Armenia’s mountainous terrain and its various vegetation communities create habitat for a diverse group of animal species. Birds occupy a special place among local fauna and avifauna here is extremely rich. Located along the global flyway, Armenia is an intersec- tion, where Asian and European bird species approach and co-exist with one another. In total, 349 bird species Lake Sevan. Photo by G. Oganezova. are registered in the republic. The Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) the Red Data Book of the former has reached disastrous levels. and marbled teal (Marmaronetta Soviet Union, include the Specialists predict that if the current angustirostris) are listed in both the Mediterranean horseshoe bat rate of logging persists, Armenia will Red Data Book of Armenia and on the (Rhinolophus euryale), Mehely’s horse- be stripped of its forests in a matter of World Conservation Union (IUCN) shoe bat (R. mehelyi), the bezoar goat several decades. And with the forests, Red List of Threatened Species, while (Capra aegagrus aegagrus), and the so too would disappear many of the other bird species encountered in Armenian mouflon. country’s animal species. Armenia such as the ferruginous duck (Aythya nytoca), lesser kestrel (Falco Yet, much of Armenia’s outstanding Lake Sevan, which is both Armenia’s naumanni), and corn crake (Crex biodiversity is under significant threat. largest lake and the largest supply of crex) are included on the IUCN Red The reasons for this are similar to the freshwater in the region, also faces a List only. Richer still is the country’s causes behind biodiversity loss in very serious threat. Since the 1930s, insect fauna, which is represented by other parts of the world. Simply, global when the waters of this oligotrophic more than 14,900 species. climate change and human activities lake were first used to support the are negatively affecting the natural country’s industrial, agricultural, and Reptiles and mammals are far fewer, environment. In Armenia, anthro- energy sectors, the lake’s level has 52 and 83 species, respectively. Of the pogenic impacts such as intensive plunged by almost twenty meters. As a reptiles, many are endemic, including agricultural and livestock develop- result, its temperature regime has the white-bellied lizard (Lacerta uni- ment and urban and industrial devel- changed. As the water mass began to sexualis), the Armenian lizard opment, are exacerbated by the coun- warm, algal blooms occurred, meaning (L. armeniaca), and Darevsky’s viper try’s relatively high population density that algae in the lake increased dra- (Vipera darevskii). Threatened reptiles (400-500 people per square kilome- matically and became visible to the include the Caucasian rat snake ter), as well as by the paucity of arable eye. The Sevan trout (Salmo ishkan), (Elaphe hohenackeri); the lidless skink land (just 18% of the total land area), an endemic fish species that had pre- (Ablepharus cernovi); and the much of which is also threatened by viously been represented by four sub- Armenian viper (Vipera raddei) and desertification. Nearly 80% of species, diminished drastically, while racerunner (Eremias arguta transcau- Armenia’s land is characterized by two sub-species of less valuable white- casica), both of which are also some degree of degradation. fish (Coregonus lavaretus) that were endemics. Among Armenia’s 83 mam- introduced to the lake in the 1920s, mals, six endemic species or sub- For Armenia, the last fifteen years have thrived. species are registered: the northern been very difficult. Socio-economic mole vole (Ellobius lutescens), and political crises have been abun- In recent years, though, use of the Vigradov's jird (Meriones vinogradovi), dant and this has only increased lake’s water has been scaled back; now the jeroboa (Allactaga williamsi), the human pressures on the environment. it is used for irrigation only. In addi- Caucasian birch mouse (Sicista cauca- In Armenia, the use of all natural tion, a tunnel that diverts water to the sica), the Armenian mouflon (Ovis resources, including biological lake from the nearby Arpa River was ammon gmelin), and a sub-species of resources, has been uncontrolled to repaired and again put into use. These Natterer's bat (Myotis nattereri arax- the point of being catastrophic. The interventions have not only stopped enus). Endangered mammals, listed country’s forest ecosystems have suf- the decrease in the level of the lake, both in Armenia’s Red Data Book and fered in particular, as illegal logging but also succeeded in increasing it by

Summer 2005, No. 39 21 Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia

A typical mountain forest landscape in northern Armenia. Photo by G. Oganezova. two meters. This positive development tection regimes will grow from ten to try’s NGOs are not always in step with has buoyed hopes that the lake’s natu- nearly twenty percent. The implemen- one another and seldom collaborate. ral balance might be restored and that tation of this program may unify In addition, most of the public, which Sevan, Armenia’s great jewel, will be Armenia’s specially protected areas is still largely impoverished, is not saved. within one network, which would be involved in the environmental move- connected by migration corridors. The ment. The Armenian government is making prospects of uniting Armenia’s pro- efforts to improve the ecological situa- tected areas network with a regional But hope is not lost. We remain firm tion in the country. Most of the state’s network of protected areas, which is in our belief that Armenia will be plans are related to obligations under only just now being planned, are also incorporated into global processes, various international conventions, very real. and that the country will long occupy including the United Nations (UN) a place on the map of the world, not Conventions to Combat Despite these positive steps, most of just as an intersection of flyways, but Desertification, on Climate Change, the ecological problems in Armenia also ecotourism routes. Come, visit us and on Biological Diversity, and the still remain unresolved. Many of the in Armenia. Come to our mountains. Council of Europe’s European issues are not actively being This ancient land has endured many Landscape Convention. At present, a addressed—plans to resolve them exist misfortunes and hardships and national strategy for the sustainable only on paper—while some issues are should withstand these latest chal- management of forest resources is not even being reviewed right now. lenges. being developed. The strategy propos- es many new approaches. Among Armenia is going through a challeng- Gohar Oganezova, a doctor of bio- other innovations, it envisions forest ing period in its long history. The logical science, is Vice President of the certification and the partial transfer of country is making a serious effort to Armenian Botanical Society and the forest ownership, such as by leasing build a civilized and democratic state, Head Specialist of the Institute of forest resources or transferring owner- but for now, real results are still a long Botany, within the National Academy of ship of forests to nearby villages. way off. Corruption and shortcomings Sciences of the Republic of Armenia. in management on all levels of gov- In addition, the Armenian government ernment are thwarting progress. The 1 All numeric data were taken from “The approved a national strategy and republic’s non-governmental organi- National Action Plan to Combat action plan to develop the country’s zations often collaborate with govern- Desertification in Armenia” (Armenia specially protected areas. According to mental bodies, participate in various 2000) and “Desertification in Armenia this program, the number of specially programs, and initiate activities to and Measures to Combat it” (G.G. Oganezova, “Conference on protected areas will increase almost resolve ecological problems. But, to a Desertification,” Caucasus Regional two-fold; that is, the percentage of the large extent, these organizations’ Environmental Center, Tbilisi, 2002). country’s territory under various pro- activities remain ineffective. The coun-

22 Russian Conservation News Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia Armenia Tree Project Beginning to Fight Deforestation Threat

By Jeff Masarjian and Jason Sohigian

t the turn of the twentieth centu- A ry, an estimated twenty-five per- cent of Armenia was covered by trees. According to a Ministry of Nature Protection report on biodiversity, forests now cover approximately just ten percent of the land surface of Armenia, while others have reported forest cover at only eight percent. Because of the low level of forest cover, the World Bank has estimated that eighty percent of Armenia is at risk of becoming desert. At the current rate of deforestation, all of Armenia’s forests may be gone in as little as twenty years, leading to irreversible environmental damage and loss of a critical component of Armenia’s infra- Historic and projected forest cover in Armenia. structure. Map by UNDP, American University of Armenia, and George Nercessian, and adapted by M. Dubinin. The loss of forests in Armenia, brought about by a lack of alternate fuel sources, legal and illegal cutting and the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jared export of wood, and improper man- Diamond has noted in his recent book, agement of this renewable resource, is “Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail Over the course of eight years, thou- having a dramatic impact on the envi- or Succeed,” deforestation, soil erosion, sands of trees were planted in commu- ronment. A primary cause of defor- and water management problems all nities throughout the country as part estation is poverty and unemploy- result in less food for populations. Such of the Sponsor-A-Tree program fund- ment. Without other sources of problems have also been exacerbated ed by thousands of individual income, people inevitably turn to throughout history by droughts, which Diasporan donors, two state-of-the-art unsustainable harvesting of forest have been partly caused by humans nurseries were opened in Karin and resources. In urban centers such as through deforestation, notes Diamond. Khachpar (in the Aragatsotn Region), Yerevan, residents desperate for fuel several forest rejuvenation programs cut between 2–3 million trees during To help address this crisis, Armenian- were implemented in the the energy shortages of the early American philanthropist Carolyn Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial 1990s, often leaving only the stumps Mugar founded Armenia Tree Project Park (in the Yerevan Region) and else- remaining. These barren lots were (ATP) in 1994. During the winter of where, and a database of Diasporan once protective hillsides circling urban 1992 while visiting Armenia, Ms. donors was created. areas as a vital barrier to pollution and Mugar saw that families desperate to dust, and once beautiful parks were heat their homes were burning their ATP has expanded over the past sever- turned into ecological graveyards own furniture, and massive numbers al years, and as a result, the organiza- devoid of greenery. of trees were being cut for fuel. In tion has revisited its methodology to order to research and develop a plan ensure that programs and objectives Forests perform important environ- for an organization that would work work hand in hand toward accom- mental and socioeconomic functions, towards preventing further deforesta- plishing the interrelated goals of tree but when they disappear, inevitable tion in Armenia, she hired a local staff planting, poverty reduction, and envi- and long-term consequences result, in Armenia, and ATP’s efforts were offi- ronmental education and advocacy. such as increased erosion, flooding, cially launched with a tree-planting at and landslides, drying of the local cli- the Nork Senior Center in Yerevan in Since 2001, ATP has begun to redirect mate and loss of water supply, reduc- 1994. In the US, a small staff was hired its goals towards more aggressive, all- tion of topsoil fertility causing lower to do fundraising and public relations encompassing reforestation efforts, crop yields, loss of plant and animal with the national and international aimed at rehabilitating devastated biodiversity, and severe air pollution. As community. rural and urban areas and providing

Summer 2005, No. 39 23 Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia

Armenian citizens with the resources teams of workers in order to grow a development in villages inhabited by as well as incentive for redeveloping new, vital tree with an intact root sys- Armenian refugees relocated from their immediate environment. tem. ATP’s targets for 2005 have been Azerbaijan. In 2004, ATP taught 17 Specifically, programs have been to extend community tree planting families in the village of Aygut tech- launched in Aygut (in the activities to local villages where back- niques for growing tree seedlings in Gegharkounik Region) in the vicinity yards and common areas will receive backyard nursery plots. of Lake Sevan and in Vanadzor, the new trees, rejuvenate public areas third largest city in Armenia, located in including the Botanical Gardens and With ATP’s technical support these the Lori region. Since 1994, over Komitas Park (both in the Yerevan micro-enterprises produced 20,000 600,000 trees have been planted and Region), and to reforest a large tract of seedlings, and ATP paid participants restored, and hundreds of jobs have land in Aygut. for each seedling transplanted into the been created for Armenians in season- forest. This year, ATP has expanded al tree-regeneration programs. For the As highlighted by international this project to include 200 families coming year, ATP has been searching foresters such as Nobel Peace Prize who will be growing 200,000 for ways to expand its output and winner Wangari Maathai of the Green seedlings. The development of these begin planting trees at an even larger Belt Movement in Kenya, poverty is “micro-enterprise” nurseries not only scale to combat the threat of defor- one of the great enemies of forests. provides for larger scale reforestation estation in Armenia. In addition to the Historically, people with no other efforts, but also significantly increases 50,000-60,000 trees outplanted each viable source of income or energy each participant’s annual income. year from the organization’s tradition- have destroyed the forests that were al nurseries in Aygut, ATP has 200,000 their lifelines, due to non-sustainable While ATP’s primary focus is reforesta- seedlings growing for reforestation harvesting. Therefore, successful refor- tion, it has also encouraged the purposes, and at its current nursery estation must be combined with local- involvement of other agencies in pro- site in Vanadzor there are more than ly based poverty reduction efforts in viding a broad range of services to the 300,000 trees growing. order to protect existing resources and Getik River Valley. Organizations investments in the future. In both including Heifer International, Project ATP’s tree planting strategy has three urban and rural settings, poverty Harmony, World Vision, Armenian Eye components. The first is production of reduction and community develop- Care Project, UNDP, USDA-MAP, and trees on an increasingly larger scale at ment activities reduce the pressure on Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation are the state-of-the-art nurseries at Karin remaining forests. all involved in new projects. The ulti- and Khachpar, at the reforestation mate goal is to revitalize the socioeco- nursery in Vanadzor, and in backyard After assessing the severity of tree cut- nomic and ecological conditions of reforestation nurseries in the rural ting and how it affected the vitality the thirteen villages throughout the Getik River Valley. Second is planting and sustainability of citizens in rural, Getik River Valley. these trees in partnership with resi- impoverished areas, ATP laid out a dents of urban and rural communities strategy to reforest the Getik River ATP is also developing environmental at public sites, rural backyards, and Valley, an area located just north of education as a core program area in areas targeted for mountainous refor- Lake Sevan. ATP initiated a pilot proj- order to prepare the nation’s youth for estation. And third is coppicing, ect that was designed to reforest becoming the next generation of envi- whereby the unproductive shoots that degraded lands while generating ronmental stewards. By actively engag- sprout from a stump are trimmed by income through micro-enterprise ing youth in a process to better under-

The efforts of the Armenia Tree Project helped transform the Khor Virap Monastery in the Ararat Valley. Photo courtesy of Armenia Tree Project.

24 Russian Conservation News Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia

cautiously optimistic that a decision to bypass Shikahogh will be implement- ed. During a June 17 public forum at the American University of Armenia, the Minister of Transportation announced that the government is choosing a new route that bypasses the reserve, and the Prime Minister appointed a commission to study the issue.

In its first 10 years of operation in Armenia, ATP has developed a signifi- cant range of knowledge and experi- ences. As it builds on successes and fail- ures by moving toward large-scale reforestation efforts, ATP has begun the process of appealing to international agencies and organizations for larger sources of funding. In addition, ATP has begun to focus its attention on some of the challenges of reforestation in Armenia. These include the need to Members of the environmental youth club established by Armenia Tree Project (ATP) work- work in cooperation with Armenian ing in the school fruit orchard in the village of Aygut. Photo by G. Lachinian. governmental agencies and local com- stand and appreciate the value of a and environmental laws that provide munities for securing access to land for healthy and sustainable environment, for natural resource protection is most reforestation, finding adequate sup- ATP seeks to protect the trees planted effectively accomplished with a coali- plies of local seed sources since most today from future exploitation. tion of like-minded individuals and of the healthy trees in the country have groups, and ATP has been a proponent already been harvested, and meeting ATP has developed an environmental of working in collaboration with part- the organization’s stringent site selec- curriculum called “Plant an Idea, Plant ners to promote an environmental tion criteria. Sites are chosen based on a Tree.” ATP staff and Peace Corps vol- ethic at all levels of society. a number of factors, including access unteers are field-testing the environ- to adequate water, protection from mental curriculum on students of all Just this year, ATP worked with others livestock grazing, and adequate protec- levels at the Ohanian Center, at the to advocate for an alternative to a pro- tion measures against fire and especial- ATP nursery in Karin nursery, and in posed roadway through the middle of ly poaching and cutting. villages. They are presenting the vari- the Shikahogh Nature Reserve in the ous lessons to students and providing southern part of the country. In May After operating in Armenia for over a ATP feedback on the quality of infor- when the construction project became decade now, it has become apparent mation provided and its effectiveness. known to the public, ATP founder that the constraints on reforestation The eventual goal is to present the cur- Carolyn Mugar sent a letter to the are not merely financial. ATP is dedi- riculum to the Ministry of Education President and other high ranking offi- cated to working with communities, for implementation in schools cials urging them to hold public hear- organizations, governments, and indi- throughout Armenia, but it is still in an ings and choose an alternate route. viduals toward the goal of assisting the early stage and we anticipate it will be ATP staff traveled to the site on fact- Armenian people in using trees to some time before that is done. In addi- finding missions with scientific improve their standard of living and tion, all of the reforestation work in experts and journalists, and Ms. Mugar protect the environment, guided by rural villages has a key educational traveled from the U.S. on such a visit in the need to promote self-sufficiency, component focusing on youth. An June. The ATP outreach office issued aid those with the fewest resources Environmental Education Center at several press releases and action alerts first, and conserve the indigenous the Karin nursery is a state-of-the-art via email to constituents about the ecosystem. facility in which students from sec- endangered reserve, and commis- ondary schools and colleges, as well as sioned a documentary film on the Jeff Masarjian is Executive Director professionals in the field, attend train- Shikahogh Reserve, funded in partner- and Jason Sohigian is Deputy ings and seminars on trees and the ship with Armenian Forests NGO and Director of Armenia Tree Project. For environment. World Wildlife Fund. The coalition of additional information about the pro- individuals and representatives of gram and the problem of deforestation Advocating for the development of a more than forty local and internation- in Armenia, visit the Web site sustainable forest policy in Armenia al NGOs and scientific organizations is www.armeniatree.org.

Summer 2005, No. 39 25 Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia

Lake Sevan: Lessons in Nature Use

By Rafael Hovhannisyan, Zhanna Mkrtchyan, Robert Hovhannisyan, and Varduhi Grigoryan

mong the former Soviet states, the cluded that ARepublic of Armenia is one of the lowering most arid. The vast majority of the the level of hundred or so lakes and reservoirs Lake Sevan dotting the countryside are small, gen- and erally occupying no more than a few decreasing dozen hectares and averaging less its surface than 10 meters in depth. Lake Sevan, area would in the northeastern part of Armenia, is reduce the loss of an exception. This vast alpine lake, water through located in the Caucasus Mountains at evaporation, thus an elevation of 1,916 meters above sea making more level, holds 58.5 cubic kilometers of water available for water and its surface area spans nearly release and use. 1,250 square kilometers. Lake Sevan is not only the largest freshwater body in This conclusion Armenia, but also in the entire served as the foun- Caucasus Region. dation of a project, developed in The energy of Lake Sevan’s waters 1931, to decrease have brought power to many cities the lake’s water and villages in Armenia and helped level by fifty drive industrialization of the country. meters over fifty The lake also brought life to the sultry years, or by 1,025 deserts of the Ararat Valley by enabling million cubic the development of agricultural activi- meters annually— ties. Resorts built along the shores of 650 million cubic this picturesque lake have accommo- meters for Map by M. Dubinin. dated tourists from around the world. hydropower and Lake Sevan has always been and will 375 million cubic meters for irriga- Reasons for this were manifold. always be exceptionally important for tion. According to the plan, the natu- Calculations suggested that freshwater Armenia’s economy. For this reason ral outflow of water from the lake sources in Armenia that could be used the protection and sustainable use of through the Radzan River would to expand the country’s supply of its waters is a task of utmost national increase by fourteen times. These drinking, agricultural, and industrial importance. water releases were initiated both to water would be exhausted by the end irrigate the Ararat Plain and outlying of the twentieth century. Given this, Lake Sevan has long attracted the suburban regions (totaling 130,000 Lake Sevan would remain Armenia’s interest and attention of researchers hectares in area), as well as to pro- only guaranteed source of water. Also, and planners hoping find an effective duce hydropower at the Sevan- the decrease in water up to that point means to utilize the lake’s water and Razdan “power cascade,” a group of has exposed close to 200 square kilo- fish resources. Theoretical work hydropower stations constructed on meters of silty and sandy-silty soil on toward this end dates as far back as the Razdan River. At the same time, it the lake’s shore; however, these areas the mid-1800s, when the prospects of was expected that the land exposed proved unsuitable for agricultural use using the lake’s water to irrigate land as the lake’s level decreased could be and are now affected by intensive ero- on the left bank of the Radzan River used to sow crops. sion processes. In addition, it was were first explored. The drive to determined that Lake Sevan did not develop Lake Sevan’s water resources Work to lower the water level of the produce adequate energy to support intensified during the first three lake according to this plan began in the long-term development of the decades of the twentieth century, after 1933. Within twenty-five years, the Armenian economy. New hydro-elec- researchers had determined that water level of the lake had already tric and atomic energy stations were under natural conditions, twenty times fallen by almost fourteen meters and built in Armenia and this created more water evaporated from the lake it became clear that the plan to alternative opportunities to generate than flowed into the Radzan River, the decrease the lake’s water level by fifty energy without causing such signifi- lake’s only outlet. They further con- meters needed to be re-examined. cant damage to nature.

26 Russian Conservation News Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia

Lake Sevan. Photo by C. Santore.

Considering the aforementioned and planners decided to take steps to lize and subsequently increase the developments, the initial project to preserve the water in Lake Sevan clos- lake’s water level, planners decided in use the lake’s waters was re-examined er to its natural level. In order to stabi- 1961 to divert part of the flow (250

Changes in Lake Sevan during the Course of its Drainage Unit of Parameter 1930-1935 1978-1982 1985-1990 1995-1999 2001-2003 Measure Deviation from the natural Meters 0.0 -18.8 -17.6 -19.8 -20.2 level of the lake Height above sea level Meters 1,915.6 1,896.8 1,898.0 1,895.8 1,895.4 Surface area Kilometers 1,416 1,249 1,259 1,246 1,242 Maximum depth Meters 98.6 79.8 81.0 78.8 78.4 Volume of water Kilometers 58.5 35.3 37.4 34.0 33.4 Water transparency Meters 14.3 3.0 5.6 2.1 3.0 Bacteria-plankton 106 cells/milliliter 0.4 1.80 0.78 2.1 3.6 Phytoplankton Grams/meter3 0.32 3.5 2.1 5.2 6.4 Biomass kilojoules/ Primary Production 4,180 28,600 14,630 29,260 N/A meter2/year Macrophytes Tons 103/year 900.0 8.05 37.3 12.0 42.0 Zooplankton Grams/meter3 0.45 1.80 0.64 0.70 0.73 Fish tons/year 1000 3070 2200 800 560

Summer 2005, No. 39 27 Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia million cubic meters per year) of the two meters. Although the net inflow than five times of suspended and dis- Arpa River, which flows from the of water reversed again after 1995, solved organic matter decreased the Vadrenis Mountain Massif, into Lake Lake Sevan remains extremely unsta- transparency of the lake’s water, Sevan through 48-kilometer-long tun- ble to this day. which affected photochemical and nel. Construction on the Arpa-Sevan biological processes in the lake. The tunnel began in 1962 and continued And what effects have seventy years of oxidation of benthic organic matter, for almost twenty years. All this time, human tinkering had on the lake and which entered into the lake’s bio- the level of the lake continued to fall, its ecosystem? The lake lost more than chemical cycle, caused the oxygen and by 1980, the decrease had reached 10% of its surface area and more than concentration in the lake to decrease 18.5 meters, the lake’s surface area had 40% of its volume. The lake’s cold, by more than 50%, while it neared decreased by 12.2%, and its volume by benthic layer of water also disap- zero in the benthic layers. In addition, 42.2%. peared. This zone, located immediately the concentration of nutrients derived above the bottom of the lake, had the from human activities, particularly The Arpa-Sevan tunnel was put into lake’s highest concentration and con- nitrogen, increased by thirty times, and use in 1982. The lake’s water level tent of oxygen. The cold water also iso- this stimulated massive growth and began to stabilize shortly thereafter lated a diffusion of organic material reproduction of algae. Finally, the dif- and subsequently increased by ninety that had accumulated on the upper fusion, sedimentation, and sediment centimeters. To further increase the layers of the bottom of the lake over burial processes of various organic rise in the lake’s level, planners devised centuries; it further regulated the bio- materials were destroyed, as was the another tunnel project, the 21.6 kilo- geochemical cycling of matter. Due to redox process in the benthic zone. All meter-long Vorotan-Arpa tunnel. This these changes, the average annual tem- of these changes caused significant second tunnel was planned to transfer perature of the lake’s water increased biological reorganization in the troph- 165 million cubic meters of water a by almost two degrees Celsius, while its ic chains of the lake’s ecosystem. year from the Vorotan River to the thermal capacity (the accumulation of Kechut Reservoir and from there the sun’s energy) decreased nearly 1.5 For instance, due to the increase in the through the Arpa-Sevan tunnel to Lake times, thus leading to frequent freez- quantity of nitrogen in the lake, as well Sevan. Construction and repair work ing. In addition, the lake’s horizontal as the significant loss in the biomass of of the Vorotan-Arpa tunnel continues and vertical water current intensified higher aquatic vegetation (from to this day. and this increased by several times the 900,000 tons to 8,000 tons), the bio- quantity of suspended and dissolved mass of single-celled algae increased Although the net inflow of water into organic matter in the lake, which had almost twenty-fold. This, in turn, Lake Sevan was positive throughout previously been isolated in the benthic affected species and communities of much of the 1980s, high releases again cold water zone. aquatic bacteria, multi-celled inverte- took place during the years 1990- brates, and fish. 1995, when the country experienced These phenomena, in turn, negatively an energy crisis, and the water level of impacted the lake’s ecosystem in four Many of Lake Sevan’s fish communi- the lake decreased again, this time by general aspects. The increase by more ties were also profoundly affected by

A peninsula extends out into Lake Sevan. Once just a chain of small islands, the peninsula formed after the lake’s water level decreased. Photo courtesy of WWF.

28 Russian Conservation News Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia the loss of spawning habitat—many littoral zone breeding grounds dried up as the lake’s level fell—as well as by unregulated fishing. Two lake-spawn- ing sub-species of the Sevan trout (Salmo ischchan), an endemic, and the only salmonid in Lake Sevan, died out. The trout’s two river-spawning sub- species hover on the verge of extinc- tion, as does the Gokcha barbel (Barbus goktschaicus). In addition, the population of the Sevan khramulya (Varicorhinus capoeta sevangi) contin- ues to decrease.

Numerous other species of flora and fauna have declined or altogether dis- appeared due to the decreased water level of the lake and its associated con- sequences. For waterfowl, Lake Sevan serves as an important inland breeding area, as well as a resting and wintering site during migration. However, Delicate flowers adorn the shores of Armenia’s largest lake. Photo courtesy of WWF. because of the artificial water-level decrease and the drainage of close to Armenia’s nature conservation and sci- tion aims to help improve the ecosys- 10,000 hectares of swamp land, the entific communities, as well as its gov- tem of Lake Sevan, the natural land- number of bird species inhabiting the ernmental structures, have been work- scapes of its catchment area, and the lakeshore area has sharply fallen. ing to save the lake. Work is being car- watersheds of nearby rivers. The law ried out to increase the water level of established criteria for using Lake It is important to note that Lake Lake Sevan and to stop eutrophica- Sevan’s natural resources and allow- Sevan’s current ecological situation tion. Agricultural activity in the catch- able limits of change in its water qual- was caused not only by anthropogenic ment basin of Lake Sevan is being reg- ity. Nevertheless, there are still many restructuring of the lake’s hydrological ulated and work to decrease anthro- unresolved problems and the situa- processes, but also by the intensifica- pogenic nitrogen and phosphorous tion in the Sevan Basin remains very tion of industrial, agricultural, and loading into the lake from its catch- alarming. other economic activities in the lake’s ment basin is being carried out. In catchment area. Biogenic elements, addition, work to improve the sani- Rafael Hovhannisyan is the Director pollutants, and nutrients (primarily tary-toxicological status of Lake Sevan the Institute of Hydroecology and nitrogen and phosphorous) from fer- and its shore area is being implement- Ichthyology in Yerevan. He also the tilizers have entered into the lake’s ed. Hydrological scientific research head of the Union of Armenian ecosystem. In addition, intensive log- work also continues. Ecologists. Zhanna Mkrtchyan is a ging and the construction of numer- Junior Scientist at the Institute, where ous roads and recreational areas In 2001, the National Meeting of the Robert Hovhannisyan is a increased erosion in the lake’s catch- Republic of Armenia adopted the Consultant and Vardui Grigoryan is ment area. “Law on Sevan;” this piece of legisla- a Senior Scientist.

Sevan National Park

Sevan National Park, the only national park in Armenia, was established in 1978 to protect Lake Sevan and surrounding areas. Including its buffer zones, the park protects 150,100 hectares, 24,800 hectares of which are on dry land. The park falls within the jurisdiction of Armenia’s Ministry of Nature Protection and is managed as a research center that monitors the lake’s ecosystems and undertakes various conservation measures, including the regulation of use and tourism, the protection of historical and cultural monuments, and licensed fishing. The park has a system of zoning which includes a core (reserve) zone, a recreation zone, and a zone for economic use. Protection efforts are focused mainly on rare and endemic species of the lake and surrounding habitats.

Compiled with materials from the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia, available online at http://enrin.grida.no/biodiv/biodiv/national/armenia/proarea/snpv.htm.

Summer 2005, No. 39 29 Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia

A Victory for Shikahogh Reserve

By Inga Zarafian

corching land:” this how the unable to access the “Sname of the unique strict nature Mtnadzor Forest Massif, reserve in southern Armenia, which covers over one third Shikahogh Reserve, translates from of the reserve, due to the Armenian. The reserve’s geographic absence of roads leading to location has given rise to the uncom- it. In the last year, however, mon diversity of its flora and fauna. plans to construct a high- Mountain ridges shield three sides of way between Armenia and the reserve from the penetration of Iran brought road construc- cold, harsh winds, while one side is tion perilously close to the open to the caress of warm, moist air reserve’s borders, threaten- masses from the Caspian Sea. In ing Shikahogh’s intact Shikahogh, landscapes change abrupt- forests and the rich flora ly, with near-virgin oak forests sudden- and fauna communities ly giving way to peaceful alpine mead- that inhabit them. ows. More than 1,100 plant species grow in the reserve, among which In late November 2004, the Shikahogh Reserve. Map by M. Dubinin. there is a multitude of endemics and Ministry of Transportation rare species. Animals listed in the and Communication of the Republic inform them that their actions were International Red Data Book, such as of Armenia approved a project to con- illegal, and in violation of several inter- the Armenian mufflon (Ovis ammon struct the Kapan-Meghri highway con- national conventions as well as gmelin) and the bezoar goat (Capra necting Armenia with its neighbor to Armenian legislation, including the aegagrus aegagrus), are encountered the south, Iran. According to this ini- law “On Specially Protected Nature here. The Persian leopard (Panthera tial project, a seventeen-kilometer- Areas.” The surprised construction pardus saxicolor), which has begun to long stretch of road was planned to workers defensively assured represen- resettle in the region, has also been run through Shikahogh Reserve. A ten- tatives of the regional State Nature observed here in recent years. der among construction companies Conservation Inspectorate that they was hastily carried out. Although many were properly licensed and had official The pristine nature, which the reserve necessary documents, including results permission. The groups reached an has protected since 1958, remains from an environmental impact assess- impasse and the situation became largely untouched by man. Not even ment, which may have detailed antici- more acute by the hour. Bulldozers the widespread logging of Armenian pated impacts and damages, were not and tractors were stopped just short of forests, which was precipitated by the submitted, a winner of the tender was the nature reserve’s territory. The situa- country’s energy crisis in 1992-1996, named: the “Transproject” Company. tion required immediate and decisive affected Shikahogh. Loggers were action. The “Transproject” Non-governmental organizations in Company Armenia took up the cause and quickly set to launched a campaign to save work. The firm Shikahogh. Dr. Karen Manvelyan, the transported Director of the Worldwide Fund for construction Nature (WWF) Caucasus Programme equipment and Office in Armenia, appealed to the workers to the Union of Armenian Ecological NGOs middle of the with the suggestion that a working proposed road, group to protect the reserve be estab- just ten meters lished. Thus, on May 3, 2005, “SOS from the Shikahogh,” a coalition of concerned nature reserve’s individuals and representatives from border. Here, more than forty local and internation- they were met al NGOs and scientific organizations, The efforts of Armenian and international activists saved the near vir- by ecologists was formed. gin forests blanketing Shikahogh Reserve from a destructive plan to who arrived on route a highway through the protected area. Photo courtesy of WWF. the scene to

30 Russian Conservation News Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia

Working jointly, the members of this the site of road con- grassroots coalition played a critical struction near role in raising awareness about the the reserve threat to Shikahogh. In early May, the on June 1 to Armenian representative of the evaluate the Caucasus office of WWF appealed to situation and international organizations including assess pre- the United Nations Development sumed future Programme (UNDP), United Nations damages, in the event that con- Environment Programme (UNEP), and struction were to continue into the the Organization on Security and reserve’s territory. The independent Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) with experts estimated that the cost of the the request to come forward in sup- damage to the reserve could reach as port of the reserve. At the same time, high as twelve million dollars. About a the Union of Armenian Ecological week and a half later, another delega- NGOs appealed to high-ranking tion of independent experts and rep- Armenian officials, including the resentatives of NGOs and the media country’s President, Prime Minister, traveled to the Syuink region, where Speaker of Parliament, and General the reserve is located, to further Prosecutor, with the demand that the investigate the situation on the illegal construction be stopped. ground. The NGO “Armenian Forests” subsequently organized a press con- The endangered Armenian mufflon (Ovis Members of the coalition also organ- ference on the results of the trip to ammon gmelin)inhabits rough, rocky, moun- ized events designed to attract broad Shikahogh. tainous terrain in Skikahogh Reserve. public attention to the matter. On May Photo by H. Ghazaryan. 27, for instance, environmental NGOs Advocacy for the Shikahogh Reserve ing a meeting with the Minister of organized a protest at the Ministry of came not just from within Armenia. Nature Protection of the Republic of Transport and Communication, while The Armenian Diaspora joined the Armenia, Vardan Aivazyan, as well as at on June 17, the “SOS” Group staged a effort as well. On May 25, the a press conference. public hearing about the highway con- Armenian Assembly of America struction, which was held at the addressed an open letter about the Finally, after almost two months of American University of Armenia. necessity of protecting Shikahogh to intensive campaigning by Armenian the President of the Armenian and international NGOs and other Another important facet of the work Republic, Robert Kocharian. On June concerned activists, the government of the “SOS Shikahogh” group was in 14, the organization Armenia Tree of the Armenian Republic adopted the gathering and disseminating informa- Project issued an action alert asking decision on June 29, 2005, to con- tion from the front line. Independent Diaspora Armenians to communicate struct the road around, rather than experts from the coalition traveled to their concerns to President Kocharian through, the nature reserve. All those via an electronic letter who fought to save Shikahogh wonder forwarded to Armenian if this decision is indeed a victory, or Ambassador to the U.S. merely a temporary respite. True, the Tatoul Markarian. More construction workers relocated their than 700 people partic- equipment to another part of the road. ipated in this campaign. True, they have not yet violated the nature reserve. But Armenian NGOs The international con- are already familiar with the workings servation community of those who are motivated more by also expressed its con- short-term profit than by concern for cern about the threat to the future of the environment. For this Shikahogh. For reason, the members of “SOS instance, the acting Shikahogh” continue to closely moni- director of the Critical tor the situation. Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) Dan Inga Zarafian is the President of the Martin and the CEPF Armenian NGO, Ecolur. Ecolur is widely Grant Manager for the known in Armenia for its environmen- Caucasus Hotspot tal activities. The organization is estab- Shikahogh Reserve protects important habitat for another Christopher Holtz trav- lishing a journalists’ network for dis- endangered species, the bezoar goat (Capra aegargrus aegar- eled to Armenia and tributing information about conserva- grus). Photo by H. Ghazaryan. discussed the issue dur- tion-related issues in the country.

Summer 2005, No. 39 31 Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia Researching Forest Raptors on Armenia’s Highest Peak

By Haik Harutunyan, Maro Kochinyan, and Karen Agababyan

t 4,090 meters above sea level, Mt. the population and AAragats is Armenia’s tallest moun- species structure of tain massif. It is located in the central raptors inhabiting part of the republic, in Aragatsotn the forests of Mt. Region, where it is isolated from the Aragats. rest of the country’s mountain ranges. For this reason, the small forest massif In their work, the that covers the mountain’s southern researchers macro-slope is isolated from the rest employed two of Armenia’s forests; the nearest forest methods. They on Mt. Ara is located ten kilometers conducted obser- away. The forest on Mt. Aragats, like vations from fixed other forests in central Armenia, is points to identify residual. It is located at an elevation of raptors’ nesting ter- 2,000-2,200 meters above sea level ritories and then and occupies an area of about five also searched for square kilometers. Although the forest the nests. As a is predominantly comprised of small result of their work, Caucasian oak trees (Quercus macran- the researchers thera), other deciduous trees such as fixed the inhabita- wild plum, wild pear, maple, ash, and tion of the follow- Mt. Aragats. Map by M. Dubinin. artificially planted pine trees are occa- ing species: honey sionally encountered. Sub-alpine buzzard (Pernis apivorus); black kite ranges for the remaining raptor steppe with elements of alpine mead- (Milvus migrans); short-toed eagle species occur here. Various types of ows are situated above the forest, (Circaetus gallicus), which is listed in mating flights, food displays, directed while agricultural areas – primarily the Red Book of the Armenian Soviet flights with food during the nestling grain fields – occupy the land below it. Socialist Republic of 1987; buzzard period, and territorial defense reac- (Buteo buteo); lesser spotted eagle tions suggested nest presence. Despite the relatively small size and (Aquila pomarina); booted eagle Researchers did not observe the isolation of the Aragats forest, as well (Hieraaetus pennatus); sparrow hawk Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo) and it as the diminutive height of its trees, all (Accipiter nisus); and northern is possible that the species is absent diurnal raptor species inhabiting goshawk (Accipiter gentiles). from nesting-sites in this forest. Armenia’s forests can be found here. During the spring and summer of The researchers found nests belonging The researchers conducted their 2005, a group of staff from the to the short-toed eagle, lesser spotted observations from three points along American University of Armenia’s Birds eagle, and buzzard. Based on observa- the road, from where they could sur- of Armenia Project, which included tions of the birds’ behavior during the vey the Aragats forest massif in its the authors of this article, conducted a nesting period, the researchers also entirety. From these observation series of six expeditions to research surmise that nesting and general points, the agricultural areas below Spotlight on the Birds of Armenia Project The Birds of Armenia Project works to research and protect birds and their biotopes in Armenia. The project was estab- lished under the auspices of the American University of Armenia in 1993, upon the initiative of Sarkis Akopian, an American industrialist. The project’s first major products were: “A Field Guide to Birds of Armenia,” available in both English (M. S. Adamian and D. Klem, Jr., 1997.) and Armenian (M. S. Adamian and D. Klem, Jr., 2000) languages; and the “Handbook of the Birds of Armenia (M. S. Adamian and D. Klem, Jr., 1999). Beginning in 2001, the Birds of Armenia Project expanded its environmental education activities. Starting in 2004, the project began a two-year-long trial course to identify birds in nature. Fifteen students with various specialties and backgrounds participated in the course the first year and in 2005, the course expanded by 70 people. In addition, project specialists are beginning research on the influ- ence of pesticides and heavy metals on indicator species of wetland birds and birds of prey. Working together with nature conservation NGOs and state institutions, the project hopes to preserve Armenia’s unique avifauna.

32 Russian Conservation News Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia

birds of prey. They are end links in the food chain and harmful substances accumulate in their bodies and adversely affect their reproductive potential.

In addition, some of the people who visit Mt. Aragats bring with them firearms. Although these people pri- marily shoot at empty bottles (which is also unpleasant, given the amount of broken glass that remains afterwards) who can guarantee that they are able to resist the temptation of shooting a raptor flying overhead?

Based on their investigation, the Buzzard (Buteo buteo) nestling. researchers see the primary impor- Photo by H. Harutunyan. tance of the Mt. Aragats forest to be the high concentration of raptors it The nest of a lesser spotted eagle could also be surveyed. Hunting of supports on a relatively small territory. (Aquila pomarina), found by researchers in the Mt. most of the raptor species – with the The raptors here are also often and Aragats forest. Photo by K. Agababyan. exception of sparrow hawk, northern easily observed. Finally, the forest is goshawk, and honey buzzard – was regularly visited by people from outly- financial support for research work; to observed in these areas numerous ing villages and cities, who are the pri- A. Asatryan, from the Institute of times. mary factors of disturbance affecting Botany, National Academy of Sciences the raptors. These conditions make of the Republic of Armenia, for con- Researchers noted several factors of the area an ideal point for observing sultation; as well as a group of dedi- disturbance affecting the raptors nesting raptors and for carrying out cated project volunteers, who actively inhabiting Mt. Aragats. Their habitat’s ecological education among the local participated in the investigations. close proximity to Yerevan, as well as population. Using raptors as a focal Among them, the authors would like its proximity to road systems, makes point of ecological education, it would to note: Anna and Arpine Yeghiyan, this territory an attractive destination be possible to educate people visiting Siranush Tumanyan, Vilena Bejanyana, for Sunday picnickers. As many as the Mt. Aragats forest about principles Gor Rustamyan, Grigor Janoyan, seven to ten groups, each with five to of conduct in nature. In the future, it Levona Rukhkyan, and Ruben twenty people, may come here on any might also be possible to implement Maliyan. given Sunday. They leave their litter joint activities with the public to clean behind. No one cleans up the territory, the territory and protect the birds. Haik Harutunyan and Maro so the garbage—plastic bags, bottles, Kochinyan are students at Yerevan tin cans, foil—just accumulates. The In conclusion, the authors would like State University. Karen Agababyan is resultant contamination of soil and to express their gratitude to the Birds a Senior Scientist at the American water is particularly detrimental to of Armenia Project for providing University of Armenia.

The small forest massif covering the southern macro-slope of Mt. Aragats provides habitat to representatives of all diurnal raptor species found in Armenia. Photo by H. Harutunyan.

Summer 2005, No. 39 33 Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia Changes in the Diversity of Waterbird Species in Select Important Bird Areas in Armenia

By Nshan Margarian, Mamikon Ghasabyan, and Luba Balyan nder the patronage of BirdLife UInternational, the Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds (ASPB), a local NGO that is working with BirdLife on Armenia's Important Bird Area Program, has worked to des- ignate 18 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Armenia for basic monitoring. This monitoring is intended to provide information on the state of the sites and the pressures affecting them. Overall, Armenia’s Important Bird Area Program aims to identify and protect a network of sites critical for the long term viability of globally threatened bird species across the range of those species for which the site-based approach is appropriate.

Of the IBAs designated in Armenia, five encompass wetland sites. Among Breeding colonies of the Armenian gull (Larus armenicus) are threatened by unsustainable Armenia’s wetland IBAs, three are tourism activity in the region of Lake Sevan. © V. Ananian. located in the Ararat Valley and the Sevan Basin: Lake Sevan, the Metsamor the lake basin and established that the exposed to various types of human River System, and the Armash Fish overwhelming majority of waterfowl disturbance. Foremost among them is Farming Ponds. at Sevan concentrated around the for- the dramatic twenty-meter decline in mer Lake Gilli. its water level. Unauthorized activities Historically, Lake Sevan, the largest including illegal fishing, logging, inland freshwater body in the For most of the twentieth century, the uncontrolled grazing, and rapid resi- Transcaucasian region, and adjacent Masrik River fed Lake Gilli and associ- dential expansion are also affecting Lake Gilli at the southeastern corner of ated bogs and marshes. In 1960, how- the lake’s ecosystem. Poaching is ram- Lake Sevan comprised the primary ever, the government decided to divert pant. The illegal fish catch has even aquatic habitats for a vast number of the Masrik River and drain Lake Gilli to been estimated to surpass the official breeding and non-breeding waterbird enhance agriculture in the region. As a one. Yet, what most endangers the populations. Extensive studies con- result, Lake Gilli disappeared com- remaining waterfowl resources is ducted by the researcher Dal in the pletely and no longer exists as such. motorized boating, which is a real 1940s suggested that the associated Currently, the area is primarily used for scourge on the lake. One fishing lodge wetlands offered ample food resources low-productive agriculture that brings alone harbors up to fifteen motorized and aquatic plants that provided little profit to local farmers. boats that cruise the lake twice daily. excellent forage sites for both breeders This factor of disturbance is present and migrant birds. They determined Despite its protected status, Lake year round and is extremely detrimen- the overall distribution of waterfowl in Sevan has also historically been tal to birds such as the white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala), ruddy Armenia: A Hotspot for Avian Diversity shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), com- mon goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), Positioned at the junction of the Western and Eastern Palearctic biogeograph- and tundra swan (Cygnus ic zones, Armenia allows for the exchange of species from the Far North and columbianus) during their wintering those from the Far South. Hence, the country’s geographical position makes it and migration periods. Tourism is pri- globally important for establishing links in habitat chains, as well as for the marily unsustainable and is practiced preservation of avian diversity. Thanks to the high diversity of habitats at vary- in the most environmentally sensitive ing elevations, 352 bird species classified into 18 orders have been observed areas, which poses a great risk to a within this relatively small geographic region, which totals just 29,793 square large breeding colony of the Armenian kilometers in area. gull (Larus armenicus) during the breeding season.

34 Russian Conservation News Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia

ters and originates with standing and slow-flowing waters. But even this unique matrix of natural wetland patches has begun to lose its avian value due to rapid urban expansion, which has gained momentum over the past decade. Lands adjacent to the Metsamor River are used for agricul- ture and commercial fish production. They are being converted to small pri- vate fish ponds ranging, on average, between 100 and 500 square meters and larger, while wetland drainage and channel excavation is irreversibly altering riparian ecosystems and lead- ing to habitat loss. The Metsamor River System also plays a key role as a water- fowl habitat, wintering, and stopover site for wetland and water-dependent birds such as the common pochard (Aythya ferina), red-crested pochard (Netta rufina), common snipe (Gallinago gallinago), pygmy cor- Change in the diversity of waterbird species in the region of Lake Sevan over time. Graphic morant (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus), provided by the Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds. whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybridus), cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) and little The unsustainable use of Lake Sevan to 54 species, while non-breeders rose crake (Porzana parva), especially now and the drainage of adjacent Lake Gilli from 54 to 68 species. that Lake Sevan and the area of the and its surrounding wetlands former Lake Gilli area offer little refuge destroyed habitat required for breed- In addition to the large fisheries in the to birds. ing and non-breeding populations of Ararat Valley, an especially important waterbirds such as the great cor- area is the extensive Metsamor River The creation in the 1970s of artificial morant (Phalacrocorax carbo), red- and its adjacent wetlands, which is a water impoundments in the Ararat necked grebe (Podiceps grisegena) and natural riverine system that has existed Valley helped to restore waterfowl and caused the contraction of waterfowl since time immemorial. Winding other bird species that had disap- resources in the lake basin. Between through the Ararat Valley, the river peared from the Lake Sevan Basin. The the periods 1941-1960 and 1981- extends for approximately 20 kilome- sole refuge for breeding avifauna 2000, breeders in Lake Sevan declined from 60 to 37 species, while non- breeders increased from 49 to 85 species.

At the time that Lake Gilli, a life-giving nursery area for breeding waterfowl, was drained in the 1960s, a series of commercial fish farming ponds were constructed in the arid lands of the Ararat Valley in southwestern Armenia. These ponds attracted and now accommodate most of the breeding and non-breeding waterbirds that once occupied Lake Gilli. In other words, they brought about a redistrib- ution of Armenia’s waterfowl popula- tions and completely altered the over- all pattern of waterfowl distribution in the country. Between the periods 1941-1960 and 1981-2000, breeders in the Ararat Valley increased from 42 Change in the diversity of waterbird species in the Ararat Valley over time. Graphic provided by the Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds.

Summer 2005, No. 39 35 Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia

to promote, carry out and/or con- tribute to the conservation and moni- toring of bird species, and to promote the direct involvement of civil society in the conservation of sites important for birds. An established site-based approach in the Lake Sevan Basin ensured the full year-round monitoring of birds, as well as monitoring of the state of these sites and the pressures affecting them. This helps provide early warning about changes and sig- nals the need to take conservation actions to remove common threats.

In view of the rapid urban expansion and intensive agriculture development in the Metsamor River System, public advocacy actions will be taken to inter- pret the importance of habitat changes and land-use impacts affecting differ- Staff members of the Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds conduct an extensive ent species of birds. As important and waterbird census of the Lake Sevan Important Bird Area. © V. Ananian. comprehensive is the educational component of this conservation pro- appears to be the Armash fish farm, wetland patches act as a large transit gram, which aims to promote knowl- which was created in 1975 in the arid and stopover point for migratory edge of the birds, encourage their pro- lands of the Ararat Valley in south- waterfowl. They also serve as one of tection, and establish a long overdue western Armenia. The farm used to be their key wintering habitats in conservation ethic using traditional the largest supplier of commercial fish Armenia. However, these man-made educational tools, personal encounters during the Soviet Era and is still the water impoundments were established and communication, and the mass largest active fishery in the entire with the sole purpose of supplying media. For the Armash Fish Farm, Transcaucasus Region. The fishery’s 29 commercial fish and did not envisage where birds and the threats affecting ponds, each of which ranges from the conservation of birds and their them are fully and comprehensively between 11 and 95 hectares in size, habitat. Although the fish ponds con- monitored, our approach will be to occupy a total of 1,514 hectares. They tributed to the strengthened forma- develop a long-term conservation offer unique habitat for breeding and tion of avian fauna in the country, strategy through the involvement of migratory birds, especially now that birds are not protected on them by the private sector and associated the surrounding wetland ecosystem of law. hunters who utilize the farm’s natural Lake Gilli no longer exists. resources. We aim to develop a long- Today, the Armash Fish Farm is a pri- term management plan for the fishery, Ornithologist V. Ananian maintains vate joint-stock company with inten- which will include sustainable farming that Armash is currently known to sive commercial fish production, practices tailored to bird conservation harbor up to 220 species of birds, which impedes any effective activities needs and to provide for future which comprises over 62% of the total to support the conservation of water- tourism development opportunities as number of bird species in Armenia. birds and associated habitats. Breeding an alternative source of income. Included among these are the breed- waterfowl populations are exposed to ing white-tailed lapwing (Chettusia the increased degradation of their Nshan Margarian and Mamikon leucura), Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea habitat and to illegal bird kills by Ghasabyan are both Senior Scientists leucorodia), gull-billed tern (Sterna poachers and fishery owners who at the Institute of Zoology, within the nilotica), slender-billed gull (Larus shoot fish-eating birds such as peli- Armenian National Academy of genei), and blue-cheeked bee-eater cans, cormorants, egrets and herons, Sciences. Nshan Margarian is also (Merops persicus), as well as two which they see as “potential enemies” the Head of the Department of Ecology species, the marbled teal to their business. at the Educational University in (Marmaronetta angustirostris) and Yerevan, while Mamikon Ghasabyan white-headed duck (Oxyura leuco- ASPB has committed to a program to also serves as the Director of the cephala), which are listed on the IUCN develop the IBA Caretaker Network in Armenian Society for the Protection of Red List as threatened species. the Caucasus; this program is an inte- Birds. Luba Balyan is an International gral part of the IBA conservation pro- Officer and IBA National Coordinator Positioned on one of the valley’s major gram. It aims to establish an effective within the Armenian Society for the flyways, these man-made ponds and network of local people who are able Protection of Birds.

36 Russian Conservation News Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia Research and Conservation of the Persian Leopard in Armenia

By Igor Khorozyan and Alexander Malkhasyan

t was a dreary and misty day in late we might hope to glean about IJanuary, like all other days during the notoriously elusive and this month in the rocky mountains of rare Persian leopard southern Armenia. We hiked over the (Panthera pardus saxicolor). wind-swept trails along the southern slopes, where the snow melts quickly Since prehistoric times, the and wild animals move around more leopard's beauty, strength, and easily. Suddenly, we came across a set grace have evoked a mixture of large, round clawless footprints and of admiration for and fear of other similar, but smaller ones, which its stealthy, nocturnal, and comprised clear tracks stretching cryptic life. African tribes gave along the trail in both directions. this big cat such vivid epithets Scrapes, which were dug into the as: “Gentle hunter, whose tail ground to attract a mate, were numer- plays on the ground while he ous. We made similar finds over the crushes a skull;” “Beautiful course of the next several days, and death, who dons a spotted The current range of the leopard in southwestern and later again in early February and early robe when he goes to his vic- southern Armenia. Map provided by I. Khorozyan and S. March. From these signs, we deduced tim;” and “Playful killer, Asmaryan and adapted by M. Dubinin. that a large male and slender female of whose loving embrace splits the species were moving around to the antelope's heart.” Scientists claim peoples that live side by side with this meet each other. From their fresh that the hypnotizing effect that leop- predator. scats, it appeared that they had been ard spots have on humans is genetical- feeding on wild boar (Sus scrofa) and ly programmed, similar in this way to The Persian leopard is the only large Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix the panic and stupor that snakes felid species still surviving in south- indica). Following the tracks and excite in monkeys. It is not surprising western and southern Armenia, albeit scrapes, we reconstructed a fuller pic- that leopard skin mantles, amulets in meager numbers. Here, the large cat ture: in one place, the male had made of the beast’s teeth and claws, inhabits sparse juniper forests, arid scratched the bark of a Christ's thorn and medicines made from its bones and mountain grasslands, sub-alpine, (Paliurus spina-christi) and left some are so very popular among indigenous and alpine meadows, while it avoids of its fur on the barbs. In another, a semi-desert, nival (abounding with female had dragged a sorrel foal snow), and harsh nival environments. through the barbed-wire fence of an Its current range extends from the abandoned orchard, leaving Khosrov Reserve southwards to the on the barbs blood Arax River on the state border with stains and fur of Iran. As late as the mid-1970s, the the prey, as well leopard also inhabited northern as some of Armenia. The northern boundary of its her own current range stretches along the Azat grey-black- River and along the Geghama and white fur. Vardenis Mountain Ridges. These few observa- According to rough estimates, no tions are more than ten to fifteen leopards, of among the which five to eight are adults, current- most ly live in Armenia. The most stable inform- group of the population is located in ative the southern part of the country, on that the Zangezour, Bargushat and Meghri Ridges, from where they are able to move to and from Azerbaijan's Naxcivan Republic and northwestern Iran. The Zangezour Ridge and its A male Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) in theYerevan Zoo. branches serve as linkages between Photo by A. Malkhasyan. this group and the other group in

Summer 2005, No. 39 37 Conservation in the Caucasus: Spotlight on Armenia

Khosrov Reserve and the Vayots Dzor Thanks to financial sup- Province. port provided by inter- national foundations The primary threats that have brought and zoos, our efforts the leopard to the brink of extinction continue and ensure the in Armenia are disturbance, poaching, quite stable status of the and habitat destruction. More specifi- leopard in Armenia. cally, this entails livestock grazing, edi- However, this situation is ble plant and mushroom gathering, very fragile and can destruction of wildlife by firearms and worsen at anytime if traps, and dry grasses and conifer fires even just one leopard is during the hot summer. All these fac- lost to poaching or tors pose a great risk to the leopard another human factor. and the species upon which it preys, the bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus), For example, recently in Leopard habitat in Khosrov Reserve. Photo by A. Malkhasyan. wild boar, roe deer (Capreolus capreo- 2005, we faced a real lus), Indian crested porcupine, and threat of losing the leopard and other southwestern Armenia and the European hare (Lepus europaeus). biodiversity in southern Armenia Shvanidzor-Nuvadi area in the because of the national Ministry of extreme southern part of the country. Concerned over the fate of the leopard Transportation's plans to build a road, The search for other PLECAs is under- in Armenia, we began researching the the Kapan-Meghri Highway, right way. In this work, we combine field species in 1999-2000 by studying its through the Shikahogh Reserve, which research, lab techniques and GIS diet, feeding competition, and distri- protects habitat important to the mapping. Once we have identified bution. We have since incorporated leopard and its prey. To avert the dan- PLECAs, we will divide them into pri- new research methods, including GIS ger, all available resources were mobi- ority regions, where focused protec- mapping, camera photo-trapping, scat lized to promote cooperation between tion measures will be implemented. It counts and use of lures. We initially the Ministry of Nature Protection, is still premature to specify which began our work in Khosrov Reseve, environmental NGOs, and mass media. measures, such as the creation of pro- and subsequently expanded our study As this road is essential for Armenia, tected areas or strengthened infra- areas to include other important the coalition did not press for the structure, may be realized and when; "hotspots" of the cat's range such as complete cancellation of the project, this will be determined on a case-by- Mt. Gbndasar/Noravank Canyon, but instead insisted that planners case basis. Meghri Region, Vayots Dzor Province, implement a second, less damaging and the Sisian Region. We published a option, which would affect the reserve Leopard conservation activities have number of scientific papers, mono- to a lesser extent. This option would been underway in Armenia since 2002 graphs, and conference proceedings, lengthen the road by seven kilometers and include technical support, raising which are mainly in English. Three (from thirty-five to forty-two kilome- awareness among local people and the years ago, we established a website, ters) and increase costs, but would sig- border guards, and the operation of www.persianleopard.com, which we nificantly shorten the segment of road anti-poaching squads and population regularly update. passing through the reserve (from 16.6 monitoring. These efforts must be to 0.5 kilometers) and reduce the intensified and expanded in their numbers of trees and saplings to be scale. cut (from 19,085 to 681 and from 117,000 to 4,178, respectively). In June Armenian citizens should be proud 2005, policymakers officially adopted that such a wonderful and rare animal the more reserve-friendly option. as the leopard still lives in their coun- try. Hopefully, people are gradually Our ongoing research project aims to coming to understand that a leopard identify and describe Priority Leopard seen for a few seconds in the shadows Conservation Areas (PLECAs), which of the wilderness looks far better than leopards currently and constantly any leopard skin rug or moth-eaten inhabit, and which, therefore, require stuffed specimen in a museum. priority conservation actions. This project is necessary because we must Igor Khorozyan is a Yerevan-based know where the leopard presently freelance researcher of the Persian inhabits in order to direct financial, leopard. Alexander Malkhasyan human, and technical resources works for the Ministry of Nature specifically there. The first candidates Protection of the Republic of Armenia Fresh leopard tracks found on Meghri for PLECA status are the central and and the WWF Caucasus Programme Ridge. Photo by A. Malkhasyan. eastern parts of Khosrov Reserve in Office in Yerevan.

38 Russian Conservation News