The implementation of the project “Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in is mainly targeted on Syunik Region. Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” The following activities are planned UNDP/GEF 00051202 Project

MINISTRY OF inter alia in the scope of the project: NATURE PROTECTION OF RA Armenia

To establish enabling environment for integrating Funded by climate change risks into management of Global Environmental Facility (GEF) forest ecosystems. To support development of early warning and Implemented with assistance of UNDP response system to climate change impacts National Implementing Parner: risks. To implement pilot projects in the Syunik region Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia on rehabilitation of fragmented forest areas, National counterparts: as well as areas affected by pest outbreaks and forest fire. Ministry of Agriculture of Armenia, "ADAPTATION TO To implement in theSyunik region measures Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia to mitigate elevated forest fire and pest outbreak CLIMATE CHANGE risk. Project duration: IMPACTS IN MOUNTAIN To support creation of a comprehensive system 2009-2012 for data collection and interpretation to FOREST ECOSYSTEMS OF feed into scenario development and identification of adaptation measures. ARMENIA" PROJECT To share experience of the project in other regions of Armenia. Project Office:

Forest rehabilitation pilot project areas in the Syunik Region Climate Change Information 1. Shurnukh forest Center of Armenia area of Syunik (Goris) Forest Enterprise, Shurnukh Address: Governmental Bldg. 3, 2. Davit Bek forest Room #533, Republic Square, area of Kapan Forest Enterprise, Yerevan 0010, Armenia Tel. (+374 10) 583932, 583920 3. Shvanidzor sector Fax: (+374 10) 583933 of “Arevik” National Park. Website: www.nature-ic.am E-mail: [email protected]

Photos by A. Malkhasyan, V. Saroyan, K. Tamanyan Syunik Forests 0.7o C compared with 1961-1990 mean. Number of species ofArmenia and particularly in Syunik region. summer days with daily maximum >25o C has The geographical location and mountainous relief of Under these conditions the lower border of the forests significantly increased during the same period (in Armenia has favored formation of rich forest of the Syunik region within a 200-300 m wide belt Meghri by 10, in Kapan and Goris by 21 days). biodiversity and high level of endemism. 23% of forests will be at best replaced by arid open forests and forests in Armenia are found in the south-east Climate change impacts are observed from the more otherwise by semi-desert vegetation. The lower-bound (Syunik region) covering about 80,000 ha of forest frequent occurrence of extreme weather and climate area will gradually recede and the forests will continue land. events and disasters, climate aridization, as well as a moving upwards. Forests of the Syunik decrease of land productivity. region have diversity Pestholes of leaf-eating insects and forest fires which have already damaged forests will significantly grow of endemic and rare Vulnerability of Forests plant species of global due to change in climate conditions, if no actions are significance listed in The Syunik region has undertaken. the Red Book of been identified as a Armenia and IUCN critically vulnerable Enhancement of Adaptation International Red List. Among others to be region of the country, Rehabilitation of de- mentioned areBezoar goat (Capra aegagrus), especially in terms of graded forests as well Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor), the risk posed by as conservation of Black vulture(Aegypius monachus), Oriental climate change to its natural ecosystems are plane(Platanus orientalis), Snowdrop (Galanthus unique mountain forest ecosystems. among the high prio- artjuschenkoae). Over the last 3-4 decades the lower-boundary of oak rities in the process of Climate Change and oak- hornbeam forests has moved upwards by enhancing adaptation Analysis of observed 100 m at a minimum. The rise in temperature and of the mountain forest ecosystems to the climate change impacts. data of the last three change in precipitation significantly affect the ability decades compared of forests to regenerate through tree seeds. The following measures, among others, might with the 1961-1990 enhance adaptation of mountain forest ecosystems: 91% of the total forest land, destroyed as a result of improvement in forest ecosystem management (in mean shows that forest fire in Armenia over 2001-2006, are found in total precipitation forest enterprises and protected areas), streng- the Syunik region, covering 314,3 ha. Pest infestation thening the forest management capacities, over the Syunik already affects a forest land area of 20,000 ha in the region (areas of coordination and consentaneous activities of Syunik region. Goris, Kapan, Meghri) has decreased by 9%. A stakeholders, raising public awareness, and fostering significant reduction of precipitation has been Research shows that if the climate change scenarios community participation in the forest management reported during summer months, particularly in turn out to be real, i.e. the temperature significantly process. Meghri where rainfall has reduced in June by 60%. rises and the reduction of precipitation continues by During the period of 1935-2007 the average air the end of this century, unfavorable habitat conditions temperature in Syunik region has increased by will develop for the majority of rare plant and animal