Sustainable Management of Biodiversity, South Caucasus Impact analyses on status of biodiversity in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and at regional level (South Caucasus) Natia Kobakhidze Report December/2015 ii Executive summary The biodiversity of the South Caucasus is of global importance. The tremendous diversity (http://caucasus-naturefund.org/the-caucasus/caucasus-hotspot) of species in the region and many of its ecosystems are increasingly threatened. Pressure from exploitation of natural resources, poor management practices and illegal activities are causing loss of biodiversity. Sustainable Management of Biodiversity in South Caucasus Programme (SMBP-GIZ) is helping South Caucasus countries to improve political, institutional and legal frameworks, while in selected areas it is introducing strategies on sustainable management and harnessing biodiversity. At regional level it is promoting international dialogue and cross-sector professional exchange. The objective of the report is to analyze and document trends in the biodiversity “sectors” in general biodiversity protection and sustainable management, and more specifically forest management, pasture management and agricultural practices from 2008 until 2015 in the three South Caucasus countries and in the region in general. Assessment was done by desk study, reviewing relevant documents and existing reports for each country, compiling materials showing progress in the field according to eight themes: international obligations/multilateral environmental agreements, strategic documents, ecosystems and species, sectors effecting biodiversity such as forestry and agriculture, biodiversity conservation – protected area system, vocational and higher education with the emphasis of forestry education, environmental education, biodiversity monitoring and financial mechanisms. Each theme was assessed according to sub-components. Conclusions (Chapter 5) summarise the trends according to these sub-components. Executive summary highlights main changes by country. Armenia Since 2008 Armenia has joined 8 more international conventions, agreements and protocol; became a party of 22 multilateral environmental agreements, including of those five related to biodiversity and follows to fulfil requirements (Chapter 2.2). The main biodiversity policy document - National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2000- 2004) (NBSAP -1) has expired. New generation of NBSAP - State Strategy and Action Plan on the Conservation, Use and Reproduction of Biological Diversity of the Republic of Armenia (2016-2020) (NBSAP 2) has been developed after 10 years and currently is submitted for approval. Recently adopted sectoral strategic documents contain biodiversity issues (Chapter 2.3). The trends in ecosystems of Armenia are evaluated qualitatively, there is no quantitative data: pressure on semi-deserts and steppes has increased from agriculture; expansion of this zone up to 50 m reduced lower part of the steppe belt, in addition, salinization and intensified erosion processes have been observed; arid open woodlands are also expanding; valuable forest areas are being diminished due to insufficient natural regeneration. Increasing pressure from grazing has caused changes in vegetation cover of meadows. The water resources of Lake Sevan have been exploited for years for economic purposes resulting in gradual deterioration of ecological situation of the lake. By 1999 the lake water level has dropped by 19.3 masl, inducing iii loss of endemic ishkhan subspecies. At present, water level of Lake Sevan is increasing. The lake has been included in the list of Wetlands of International Importance of the Ramsar Convention. To conserve and maintain these ecosystems, their parts have been included in recently expanded protected areas system (SPNAs) (Chapter 2.6.1.1). In 2007-2010, a comprehensive survey of the flora and fauna of Armenia, an assessment of the status of species in line with international standards was carried out. The Red Book of Armenia was republished. The number of high vascular plants in the Red Book has increased by 227 species (Chapter 2.4.3). Negative trend has been registered in the status of following species: hare, wild boar, roe deer, and Caspian snow cock. 38 invasive species have penetrated into natural ecosystems. Certain positive trends have been observed in the populations of Caucasian leopard, Armenian mouflon, bezoar goat and a number of birds in Armenia. Reintroduction of the Caucasian red deer in Dilijan National Park is underway (Chapter 2.4.2). Due to the economic and energy crisis and for industrial needs, forests in Armenia have been over - logged. Significant share of degradation was induced by illegal industrial timber harvesting, related to poor management and enforcement. Based on monitoring data, forest cover makes 10.17% of the country’s territory. In the last decade, with number of legislative, policy and institutional reforms in the forestry, Armenia is on its way to introduce sustainable forest management practice. In 2005 National Forest Programme (NFP) was approved. New Forest Code (2006) was adopted (Chapter 2.5.1.2). All forests in Armenia remain under state ownership. Community and private ownership are now included in the Code (Chapter 2.5.1.2). Information and monitoring systems for the forest sector have become important tools for forest planning, monitoring and reporting. National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS) based on remote sensing has recently been established. Forest Management Plans (FMPs) are developed for 90% of forest enterprises (FE), however FMPs are not mainly aimed at multi- functional forest use. National Forest Management Information System is operational in all 19 FEs. Monitoring data are being taken into account during the planning of annual harvesting; pre- harvesting planning and post-harvesting assessments have been introduced (Chapter 2.5.1.1). New departments have been established to fulfil these new responsibilities (Chapter 2.5.1.3). Capacity development measures are being conducted. Amendment to existing Forest Code introducing multi-functional zoning and multi-purpose use of forests is approved by Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and submitted to National Assembly. Agriculture remains one of the major economic sectors in Armenia covering about 70% of the territory of the country (the agricultural land area officially increased since 2004) ensuring countries food security, 36.3% of employment and preserving traditional way of life. At the same time agriculture sector is highly supported by the Government in recent decade including exemption from income tax, subsidies for returning of non-utilized agricultural land into cultivation, long term low interest credits for planting perennials etc. (Chapter 2.5.2.2). As of high migration from rural areas, the actual average size of the farms in Armenia is increasing and already in 2008 was twice larger than in of other countries of the South Caucasus (about 200,000 farms cultivating in average 3 ha arable land). During the last years Armenia was also developing its processing sector with improved export connections in different parts of the world and increasingly developing organic sector (Chapter 2.5.2.4). Armenia also works intensively to conserve its valuable landraces and breeds in gene banks and live collections the capacity and iv management of which is improving (Chapter 2.5.2.5). The country also had attempts to set up sustainable pasture management systems; however their effective implementation is still far away (2.5.2.6). Environmental protection and conservation of natural landscapes, agro-tourism and development of organic agriculture are sub-targets of the MoA derived from the main target on modernization of agriculture and increase of competitiveness. To the conservation and rational use of agro biodiversity is also given importance in agricultural strategies (Chapter 2.5.2.5). In spite of this, spread of aggressive invasive species, rapid degradation of agricultural land, increasing pollution from the use of agrochemicals and land overgrazing and degradation are remaining the major environmental problems of the sector. Biodiversity conservation in Armenia is implemented mainly in the protected areas - Specially Protected Nature Areas (SPNA). The system has expanded from 5% to 13.1% of the country’s territory, new categories have been introduced by legislation (II, III, IV) (according to IUCN categories) and currently the system is represented by I-IV categories of Protected Areas (PAs) (Chapter 2.6.1.1). PAs of global importance are being identified and the activities for designation are underway (Chapter 2.6.1.2). In spite of many developments, expansion and enhancement, the SPNA system does not adequately protect ecosystems with significant and threatened biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Legislation and institutional set- up is not adequate as well, and needs further improvement (Chapter 2.6.1.3 and 2.6.1.4). Vocational and higher education are being transformed to meet the labor market demands and European standards. New list of vocational specializations and new educational standards have been established, based on which new curricula and educational plans are being developed; sustainable forest management, agrobiodiversity topics are integrated into curricula, pasture monitoring and management issues are also taught (Chapter 2.7.1). Environmental Education (EE) is recognized as the priority of the country and is becoming important part of the educational system.