Technical Assessment Report on Results of Transformation Measures in Armenia

Home , Noyemberyan, Quercus macranthera

INCREASING THE RESILIENCE OF FOREST ECOSYSTEMS AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE SOUTHERN CAUCASUS THROUGH FOREST TRANSFORMATION

EC THEMATIC PROGRAMME ON ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

EuropeAid/128320/C/ACT/Multi External Actions of the European Union No. DCI-ENV/2010/221391

This document is the sole responsibility of the Project on Increasing the Resilience of Forest Ecosystems against Climate Change in the Southern Caucasus through Forest Transformation and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union

Technical Assessment Report on Results of Transformation Measures in Armenia

(March 01, 2011 – March 01, 2014)

Siranush Galstyan Project Country Coordinator for Armenia, WWF Armenia

Arthur Alaverdyan Forest Officer, WWF Armenia

February, 2014 - Yerevan

This project is co-financed and implemented by the WWF Germany in collaboration with the South Caucasus partner organizations

EC THEMATIC PROGRAMME ON ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

EuropeAid/128320/C/ACT/Multi External Actions of the European Union No. DCI-ENV/2010/221391

Progress Report

On implementation of forest transformation measures in two pilot sites in Armenia

In the frames of the EU funded project on Increasing the Resilience of Forest Ecosystems against Climate Change in the Southern Caucasus through Forest Transformation

5 February 2014

Prepared at WWF Armenia by: Siranush Galstyan and Arthur Alaverdyan Brief project description The regional project on “Increasing the resilience of forest ecosystems against climate change in the South Caucasus Countries through forest transformation” is financed by the European Union and implemented by WWF in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan under the lead of WWF-Germany. WWF Armenia is the project implementer in Armenia. The project (2011 – 2014, with possible one year no- cost extension) is aimed at establishing necessary conditions for the forest management authorities to develop and implement strategies for transforming monoculture forest stands into highly resilient “close to nature” forest stands. This will be done through awareness raising about climate change impacts on forests, demonstrating practical measures to make forests more resilient, and providing forest management staff and local community members, local NGOs, and CBOs who use or manage forests with the necessary knowledge and skills to transfer the development and implementation of transformation measures to other forest stands. The overall project objective is to increase the resilience of forest ecosystems in the Southern Caucasus against climate change impacts and to improve biodiversity and livelihoods of local population. The specific project objective is to establish necessary conditions for the forest management authority to develop and implement strategies for transforming monoculture forest stands into highly resilient, “close to nature” forest stands. Implementation of the forest transformation field activities is the key component of the project, which is aimed at testing and demonstrating the possibilities of forest transformation in the selected pilot sites with the perspective of future replication in the other sites in Armenia. Pilot sites in Armenia In 2011 two pilot sites with the total area of 151,7 ha were selected in Armenia for implementation of transformation measures.

Pilot site 1. Spitak The site is located in Lori region of Armenia on the territory of Spitak Forest District of Gugarq Forest Enterprize under “Hayantar” SNCO. The total area of the site is 72.2 ha and the altitudes are ranging from 1600 to 2000 m above sea level. The site consists of 2 sub-sites located nearby the communities Saramej and Lernantsq. Main characteristic: monoculture pine stands (4-11 years old), rather dense, never thinned with the open areas in between, erosion (sometimes rather severe) present in some places especially in Lernantsq area. Limited presence of other species (bushes), in some places good natural regeneration of pine.

Map 1.1 Pilot site Spitak, sub-site Saramej Map 1.2 Pilot site Spitak, sub-site Lernantsq

Table 1.1. Structure of the pilot site Spitak

Saramej Sup-plots Area (ha) 1-1 8.4 1-2 2.9 1-3 10.5 1-4 4.4 1-5 13.2 1-6 8.3 Total 47.7

Lernantsq Sup-plots Area (ha) 2-1 5.0 2-2 0.9 2-3 6.8 2-4 4.0 2-5 1.9 2-6 0.8 2-7 3.0 2-8 2.1 Total 24.5 Table 1.2 Site survey of Spitak pilot site

Project Site Spitak Coordination of transformation measures WWF Armenia Country Armenia Location Spitak, Armenia Grid references Latitude 40o46’58” – 40o48’06” N Longitude 44o13’52”-44o16’14” E Total area 72,2 ha Ownership Spitak Forest District of Gugarq Forest Enterprize of “Hayantar” SNCO, Armenia Climatic conditions Mean annual temperature 7.4 0C Mean temperature vegetation period (April- 14.2 0C October) Min / Max temperatures -350C / 340C Annual precipitation 500 mm Precipitation in vegetation period (April-October) 340 mm

Site conditions Altitude 1600 - 2000 m a.s.l Soil type Grey mountainous, dark brown forest soils are dominant. Natural nutrient situation Low humus content Hydrological situation (ground water level, No rivers, (water only as a result of snow melting or flooding, wind ) rain), temporary slope water Exposition S,SV,N,SE Vegetation Potential Natural Vegetation Middle and high mountain zone – Oak forest 1. Quercus macranthera 2. Carpinus caucasica 3. Acer trautvetteri 4. Fraxinus excelsior 5. Pyrus caucasica 6. Malus orientalis 7. Tilia caucasica 8. Ulmus carpinifolia 9. Pinus sylvestris Actual vegetation/ land use type Monoculture pine stands (4-11 years old), rather dense, never thinned with the open areas in between, erosion (sometimes rather severe) present in some places especially in Lernantsq area. Limited presence of other species (bushes), in some places good natural regeneration of pine. History of the area Natural regeneration proceeds unsatisfactorily, presence of overgrazing, fencing of the territory is required for its maintenance. Pilot site 2. Noyemberyan The site is located in Noyemberyan region of Armenia on the territory of Koghb Forest District of Noyemberyan Forest Enterprise under “Hayantar” SNCO. The total area of the site is 79,6 ha and the altitudes are ranging from 850 to 1250 m above sea level. The site consists of 3 sub-sites with the closest community Koghb. Main characteristic: old mainly destroyed pine stands (more than 30 years old), which continue to get destroyed yearly due to wind and snow; presence of bush vegetation, in some places old planted broadleaf species (apple, maple) and natural regeneration with poor growth due to grazing.

Map 2.1 Pilot site Noyemberyan, sub-site 1 (Kozman) Map 2.2 Pilot site Noyemberyan, sub-site 2

Map 2.3 Pilot site Noyemberyan, sub-site 3 Table 2.1 Structure of the pilot site Noyemberyan

Noyemberyan 1 (Kozman) Sup-plots Area (ha) 1-1 19.5 1-2 37.4 1-3 10.7 Total 67.6

Noyemberyan 2 Sup-plots Area (ha) 2-1 7.7 2-2 0.9 Total 8.6

Noyemberyan 3 Sup-plots Area (ha) 3-1 1.4 3-2 2.0 Total 3.4

Table 2.2 Site survey of the Noyemberyan pilot site

Project Site Noyemberyan, Armenia

Coordination of transformation measures WWF Armenia

Country Armenia Location Noyemberyan, Armenia Grid references Latitude 41o07’53” – 41o09’41” N Longitude 44o53’06”-44o56’52” E

Total area 79,6 ha

Ownership Koghb Forest District of Noyemberyan Forest Enterprise of “Hayantar” SNCO, Armenia

Climatic conditions Mean annual temperature 10,4 0C

Mean temperature vegetation period (April- 14.2 0C October)

Min / Max temperatures -230C / 340C

Annual precipitation 600 mm

Precipitation in vegetation period (April-October) 480 mm

Site conditions

Altitude 850 to 1250 m a.s.l

Soil type Grey mountainous, dark brown forest soils are dominant.

Natural nutrient situation Low humus content

Hydrological situation (ground water level, No rivers, (water only as a result of snow melting or flooding, wind ) rain), temporary slope water

Exposition NW, E, N, SE,NE

Vegetation

Potential Natural Vegetation Middle and high mountain zone – Oak forest 1. Pinus silvestris L. 2. Quercus iberica stev. 3. Juglans regia L. 4. Acer campestre L. 5. Fraxinus excelsior L 6. Malus orientalis Uglitzkich 7. Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. 8. Cornus mas L. 9. Crataegus caucasica 10. Rosa canina Actual vegetation/ land use type Old mainly destroyed pine stands (more than 30 years old), which continue to get destroyed yearly due to wind and snow; open areas, presence of bush vegetation, in some places old planted broadleaf species (apple, maple) and natural regeneration with poor growth due to grazing.

History of the area

Natural regeneration proceeds unsatisfactorily, presence of overgrazing, fencing of the territory is required for its maintenance. Transformation plan Forest transformation plan was developed in spring 2012. “Hayantar” SNCO (state forest manager in Armenia) had positive view about the plan. It includes detailed description of the sites and planned activities with financial calculations and other details. Forest Transformation is available from the following web page: http://awsassets.panda.org/downloads/forest_transformation_plan___am_1.pdf

Field transformation measures Implementation of field transformation activities started in spring-summer 2012 with installation of fences and finalized in late autumn-winter 2013 with plantings in Spitak and Noyemberyan pilot site. Field transformation activities were implemented mainly according to the transformation plan with some deviations, which were conditioned by the natural climatic and local conditions. All the modifications were agreed with the project team. The field activities (except fencing) were implemented by “Hayantar” SNCO (the winner of the tender). The tables 3 and 4 below present detailed information about the field activities in Spitak and Noyemberyan pilot sites as per the contract with “Hayantar” SNCO. Table 3. Detailed plan of activities in Spitak pilot site

Sub-plot, Area Forestry measure Steps Year Remarks Soil preparation 0,35x 0,35x 0,35m Digging of pits /manually/ 0,35x0,35x0,35m 2012 Scheme N3 Seeding (5 seeds in 1 seedbed) Quercus macranthera Soil preparation 0,35x 0,35x 0,35m Additional planting Covering saplings with soil /temporary/ Preparation of saplings for planting spring 2013 1.1: ash - 7900, maple – 5000 Planting of saplings with spade 1.3: ash - 11625, maple – 4125 1.5: ash – 13025, maple - 5875 1-1 Agro-technical Agro-technical maintenance /3 times/ 1-3 maintenance Hay mowing between rows 2013 1-5 Soil preparation for additional planting 1.1 ash – 2500, maple – 3000 Additional plantings in established forest cultures 1.3 ash – 2800, maple – 3000, 1.5 ash – 4800, maple - 4000 Quercus macranthera Additional planting autumn preparation (stratification) for additional 2013 planting prior to seeding Seeding 1.1: 42.5 kg – 2580 holes 1.3: 63 kg – 3960 holes 1.5: 73 kg – 4645 holes Soil preparation 0,35x 0,35x 0,35m autumn Digging of pits /manually/ 0,35x0,35x0,35m Scheme N4 2012 Seeding (5 seeds in 1 seedbed) Quercus macranthera Soil preparation 0,35x 0,35x 0,35m 2-1 Additional planting 2-5 Covering saplings with soil /temporary/ spring 2013 2.1: ash – 6365, apple – 1070, pear - 365 Preparation of saplings for planting 2.5: ash - 1025, apple – 1400, pear - 425 Planting of saplings with spade Agro-technical Agro-technical maintenance /3 times/ 2013 Sub-plot, Area Forestry measure Steps Year Remarks maintenance Hay mowing between rows Soil preparation for additional planting 2.1 ash – 4200, apple – 2900. pear – 365 Additional plantings in established forest cultures 2.5 ash – 1025, apple – 1500, pear - 135 autumn Quercus macranthera Additional planting 2013 preparation (stratification) for additional Seeding planting prior to seeding 2.1: 40 kg – 2535 holes 2.5: 24 kg – 1500 holes Soil preparation 0,35x 0,35x 0,35m Digging of pits /manually/ 0,35x0,35x0,35m 2012 Scheme N 5 Seeding (5 seeds in 1 seedbed) Quercus macranthera Soil preparation 0,35x 0,35x 0,35m Additional planting Covering saplings with soil /temporary/ Preparation of saplings for planting spring 2013 2.2: ash – 300, apple – 200, pear - 100 Planting of saplings with spade 2.3: ash - 2190, apple – 1190, pear – 1000 2.7: ash - 840, apple – 540, pear – 300 2-2 Agro-technical Agro-technical maintenance /3 times/ 2-3 maintenance 2013 2-7 Hay mowing between rows Soil preparation for additional planting 2.2 ash – 100, apple – 100, pear – 100 Additional plantings in established forest cultures 2.3 ash – 2190, apple – 1500, pear – 300 2.7 ash – 485, apple – 1000, pear - 100 Additional planting autumn Seeds should be prepared (stratification) prior in 2013 to seeding Seeding 2.2: 9 kg – 550 holes 2.3: 24 kg – 1500 holes 2.7: 11 kg – 715 holes 2-8 Soil preparation autumn 0,35x 0,35x 0,35m Afforestation 1-6 Digging of pits /manually/ 0,35x0,35x0,35m 2012 Scheme N6 Sub-plot, Area Forestry measure Steps Year Remarks Oak seeding (5 seeds in 1 seedbed) Quercus macranthera Soil preparation 0,35x 0,35x 0,35m Covering saplings with soil /temporary/ spring Preparation of saplings for planting 2013 2.8: ash – 1281, apple – 905, pear – 454 Planting of saplings with spade 1.6: ash-6644, apple-4695, pear-2356 Agro-technical Agro-technical maintenance /3 times/ 2013 maintenance Hay mowing between rows Soil preparation for additional planting 1.6 ash – 1900, apple – 3000, pear - 1000 Additional plantings in established forest cultures autumn Additional planting Seeds should be prepared (stratification) prior 2013 to seeding Seeding 2.8: 27 kg – 1680 holes 1.6: 56 kg – 3535 holes Table 4. Detailed plan of activities in Noyemberyan pilot site

Sub-plot, Area Forestry measure Steps Year Remarks Soil preparation 0.5x 0.5x 0.5m Digging of pits /manually/ Scheme N1 autumn Covering small-size seedlings with soil /temporary/ 2012 Preparation of small-size seedlings for planting 10,0 ha Planting of small-size seedlings with spade Oak (7500), ash (3750), apple (3750) Forest pathologic survey Soil preparation Under-planting Digging of pits /manually/ Covering small-size seedlings with soil /temporary/ spring 2013 Preparation of small-size seedlings for planting 10,4 ha 1-1 Planting of small-size seedlings with spade Oak (9700), ash (1000), apple (3900) Forest pathologic survey Agro-technical maintenance /4times/ 2013 Hay mowing between rows Soil preparation Digging of pits /manually/ Covering small-size seedlings with soil /temporary/ autumn Preparation of small-size seedlings for planting 2013 Planting of small-size seedlings with spade Apple (500), Walnut (500) Soil preparation for additional planting Additional planting Additional plantings in established forest cultures Oak (1500), apple (1370), Maple (90) Soil preparation 0.5x 0.5x 0.5m Clearing of the area, 12 ha in N1-2 and 4 ha in N 1- Scheme N2 1-2 Planting in open 3 spring 2013 1-3 spaces Digging of pits /manually/ 0,5x0,5x0,5m Covering small-size seedlings with soil /temporary/ Preparation of small-size seedlings for planting Sub-plot, Area Forestry measure Steps Year Remarks Planting of small-size seedlings with spade Oak (16760), ash (4000) Forest pathologic survey Agro-technical Agro-technical maintenance /4 times/ 2013 maintenance Hay mowing between rows Soil preparation Digging of pits /manually/ Covering small-size seedlings with soil /temporary/ Preparation of small-size seedlings for planting autumn Oak (8220), apple (6752), walnut (500), maple Planting of small-size seedlings with spade 2013 (1048) Soil preparation for additional planting Additional planting 1-2: Oak (980), apple (450), maple (50) Additional plantings in established forest cultures 1-3: Oak (300), apple (228), maple (72) Soil preparation 0.5x 0.5x 0.5m Digging of pits /manually/ 0,5x0,5x0,5 Covering small-size seedlings with soil /temporary/ Additional planting spring 2013 Preparation of small-size seedlings for planting Walnut (305), apple (365) Planting of small-size seedlings with spade 2-1 Forest pathologic survey Agro-technical Agro-technical maintenance /4 times/ 2013 maintenance Hay mowing between rows Soil preparation for additional planting autumn Additional planting Additional plantings in established forest cultures 2013 Apple (37), Walnut (36) Soil preparation 0.5x 0.5x 0.5m Clearing of the area, subplot 2-2 -1,0 ha Scheme N2 Digging of pits /manually/ 0,5x0,5x0,5m Planting for open Covering small-size seedlings with soil /temporary/ spring 2013 2-2 spaces Preparation of small-size seedlings for planting Planting of small-size seedlings with spade Oak (500) Forest pathologic survey Agro-technical Agro-technical maintenance /4 times/ 2013 Sub-plot, Area Forestry measure Steps Year Remarks maintenance Hay mowing between rows Soil preparation Digging of pits /manually/ Covering small-size seedlings with soil /temporary/ autumn Preparation of small-size seedlings for planting 2013 Planting of small-size seedlings with spade Oak (300) maple (240) Soil preparation for additional planting Additional planting Additional plantings in established forest cultures Oak (200) Clearing of the area, plot 3-1 - 1,0 ha, plot 3-2 - 1,0 ha Digging of pits /manually/ 0,5x0,5x0,5 Additional planting Covering small-size seedlings with soil /temporary/ spring 2013 Preparation of small-size seedlings for planting Walnut (150), apple (90) 3-1 Planting of small-size seedlings with spade 3-2 Forest pathologic survey Agro-technical Agro-technical maintenance /4 times/ 2013 maintenance Hay mowing between rows Soil preparation for additional planting autumn Additional planting Additional plantings in established forest cultures 2013 Apple (15), walnut (12)

Notes: 1. The summer was rather dry in Spitak pilot site, therefore there was no need for hay-making as well as for the fourth maintenance (maintenance was done 3 times in comparison with the planned 4). 2. Due to the same dry summer in Spitak pilot site some additional plantings were done in autumn 2013 especially at high elevations (in comparison with the initial plans). 3. In comparison with Spitak pilot site, the survival rate in Noyemberyan pilot site was rather high and less plantings were done in autumn 2013 (in comparison with the initial plans). 4. There was no need for pest, disease and rodent control (though they were envisaged by the transformation plan – in case of need). Table 5. Description of Spitak pilot site by silvicultural measures # on Area, ha Brief characteristics of the site Proposed measures Proposed quantity of the required seedlings map Per 1 Total ha (during 3 planting seasons) 1-1 8.4 monoculture pine stands, Fencing, additional planting, 3000 33880 average density, open areas, agro-technical maintenance some erosion, in some places good natural regeneration of pine in some places 1-2 2.9 monoculture pine stands, Fencing, thinning would be - - rather dense needed 1-3 10.5 monoculture pine stands, Fencing, additional planting, 3000 41260 average density, open areas, agro-technical maintenance some erosion 1-4 4.4 monoculture pine stands, Fencing, thinning would be - - rather dense needed 1-5 13.2 monoculture pine stands, Fencing, additional planting, 3000 51245 average density, open areas, agro-technical maintenance some erosion 1-6 8.3 some monoculture pine stands, Fencing, additional planting, 3300 36825 mainly open areas agro-technical maintenance 2-1 5.0 monoculture pine stands, Fencing, additional planting, 3000 25600 average density, open areas, agro-technical maintenance erosion (sometimes severe) 2-2 0.9 monoculture pine stands, Fencing, additional planting, 1250 2050 average density, some open agro-technical maintenance areas, erosion (sometimes severe) 2-3 6.8 monoculture pine stands Fencing, additional planting, 1250 14250 (sometimes rather dense), agro-technical maintenance, some erosion thinning would be needed 2-4 4.0 monoculture pine stands, Fencing, thinning would be - - rather dense needed 2-5 1.9 monoculture pine stands Fencing, additional planting, 3000 9860 (average density), mainly open agro-technical maintenance areas, erosion (sometimes rather severe) 2-6 0.8 monoculture pine stands, Fencing, thinning would be - - rather dense needed 2-7 3.0 monoculture pine stands Fencing, additional planting, 1250 5660 (average density), some open agro-technical maintenance, areas, erosion (sometimes thinning would be needed rather severe)

This project is co-financed and implemented by the WWF Germany in collaboration with the South Caucasus partner organizations

Table 6. Description of Noyemberyan pilot site by silvicultural measures # on Area, Brief characteristics of the Proposed measures Proposed the ha site quantity of map required seedlings Per 1 Total ha (planted during 3 seasons) 1-1 19.5 Destroyed pine stands, open Fencing, additional planting, 1500 33560 areas, presence of bush agro-technical maintenance vegetation, in some places old planted broadleaf species and natural regeneration with poor growth due to grazing. 1-2 37.4 Destroyed pine stands, Fencing, additional planting, 693 27400 presence of sparse tree and agro-technical maintenance bush vegetation, poor natural regeneration due to grazing 1-3 10.7 Destroyed pine stands, Fencing, additional planting, 1061 11960 presence of sparse tree and agro-technical maintenance bush vegetation, poor natural regeneration due to grazing 2-1 7.7 Destroyed pine stands, open Fencing, additional planting, 98 738 areas, presence of bush agro-technical maintenance vegetation, in some places old planted broadleaf species and natural regeneration with poor growth due to grazing. 2-2 0.9 Destroyed pine stands, Fencing, additional planting, 1370 1240 presence of sparse tree and agro-technical maintenance bush vegetation, poor natural regeneration due to grazing 3-1 1.4 Destroyed pine stands, open Fencing, additional planting, 80 125

This project is co-financed and implemented by the WWF Germany in collaboration with the South Caucasus partner organizations

Lessons learned and conclusions

· Fencing is one of the most important initial steps in forestry activities including forest transformation. It prevents the areas from grazing. For some other areas in Armenia probably only fencing would be enough to support natural regeneration and forest transformation. · If the project site is located in unfavourable climatic conditions, which can be the case in Lori marz, then the period of field works is shortened. In such cases intensive use of workforce is needed during short period of time during spring and autumn planting seasons. Use of some machinery (for example, drilling machine) often is not possible due to stony soil. Therefore, significant preparatory work on mobilization of human and technical resources is needed to be ready for quick implementation of field activities during the short favourable season. It can have also financial consequences as the expenditures may be more than initially envisaged. · Given the fact, that natural and climatic conditions can rapidly change, it is necessary to be flexible in the issues of choosing the assortment of planting materials. Use of high quality planting material is crucial, especially in the sites with unfavourable climatic conditions and at high elevations; the planting materials should be native and of proper age and size. · Implementation of field activities should be based on seasonal peculiarities and give enough space for flexibility (shift of plantings from spring to autumn, modification of species composition, less/more maintenance than planned and others) with consideration of the long-year local experiences and traditional knowledge in the given regions. · Use of machinery in Noyemberyan pilot site made the work much easier. Therefore, technical assistance in terms of provision of field equipment is crucial. This refers to both sites, where use of the forestry tools and machinery provided by the project was widely practiced with good results.

This project is co-financed and implemented by the WWF Germany in collaboration with the South Caucasus partner organizations

Project head office in Germany: Project office in Armenia: WWF Germany WWF - World Wide Fund for Nature Armenian Branch (WWF Armenia) Reinhardtstr. 14 11, Proshyan, Str. 10117 Berlin 0019 Yerevan Tel.: +49 (0)30-311777-274 Tel.: + 374 (10) 58 89 83 Fax: +49 (0)69-79144 4166 Fax: + 374 (10) 54 61 56 [email protected] [email protected] www.wwf.de www.panda.org/armenia · It is important to ensure sustainability of the action upon the project completion, namely to carry out maintenance during several years. Often the state financing is not enough for sufficient after-the-project activities. Therefore it is better to have a longer life-span for such forestry projects with less intensive activities (no additional plantings, only maintenance) upon completion of the initial round of plantings/maintenance during several seasons in the beginning of the project. · It is important to involve actively local communities in all types of field activities as it creates the sense of ownership as well as increases their awareness about related issues. The presence of specially assigned forest guards in the pilot sites is crucial to ensure the continuous maintenance of the installed fence and to prevent possible violations.

This project is co-financed and implemented by the WWF Germany in collaboration with the South Caucasus partner organizations