BIODIVERSITY AS A FOUNDATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
Protecting biodiversity is not irrelevant obstacle for economic development. It is a crucial condition for sustainable development of our societies and future generations. By protecting our nature, we do not protect just individual species but the entire ecosystems which we depend upon.
Protecting biodiversity is not irrelevant obstacle for economic development. It is a crucial condition for sustainable development of our societies and future generations. By protecting our nature, we do not protect just individual species but the entire ecosystems which we depend upon.
By draining wetlands in Ararat valley in order to increase our arable land we might gain short term economic benefits but in a long run crop fields might suffer from droughts and soil salinization. Shortage of water is already visible in Sevan region, some rivers such as the River Hrazdan lose water because of crop irrigation and other use. Unfortunatelly, climate change may even deepen the problem with water availability. By protecting existing wetlands and riverine ecosystems we secure availability of water in underground reservoirs and in soils. Wetlands function as a sponge that gives out water during a drought periods.
Strictly protected areas, such as the Khosrov Forest reserve, are important biodiversity hotspots. By protecting such large areas of stable ecosystems we protect important „services“ that are available for communities living outside.
High quality fresh water originated in the reserve gives communities opportunities for their development. Rare nature and outstanding landscape is an opportunity for controlled development of eco-tourism.
Nature and biodiversity conservation is the priority in such strict reserves, and thus permanent monitoring of species, their population trends, and monitoring of impact of various management practices or human influence is a prerequisite for proper conservation.
Nature conservation may go hand in hand with development of local communities. Conservation efforts to protect European Ground Squirrel in the Czech Republic brought together local farmers and winemakers.
By introducing pasture to some steppe biotopes, the Ground Squirrel population florishes and at the same time a new entrepreneur started to produce cheese and other sheep products. Winemakers promote their wines as wines from vineyards with Ground Squirrels as an indicator of good quality environment and uses it in a successfull marketing, and even developed a succesful trademark already used by 21 wine makers.
“Ground Squirrels on Vineyard“ trademark used in wine marketing from South Moravia, Czech Republic.
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN ARMENIA
Protection of biodiversity is managed by the Ministry of Environment.
In addition, the following SNCOs (state non-commercial organisations) are responsible for management of several Protected Areas:
- 3 state reserves: “Khosrov forest”, “Shikahogh” and “Erebuni”, which cover 35 439.6 ha territory or 1.19% of Armenia’s total area;
- 4 national parks: “Sevan”, “Dilijan”, “Lake Arpi” and “Arevik”, which cover 236802.1 ha territory or 7.96% of Armenia’s total area.
Along with the implementation of nature conservation EU Directives (Birds and Habitats Directives), the implementation of Emerald sites in Armenia in order to improve biodiversity protection - especially the long-term survival of threatened European species and habitats - is the priority.
There are 23 potential "Emerald" sites. These sites occupy 1033719,5 ha and make up 34,7% of the country’s territory. As a result of optimization activities done in 2019, 28 potential "Emerald" sites were created and they make up approximately 15,3% of the country’s territory.
Several environmental NGOs are active in nature conservation in Armenia such as WWF-Armenia, Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets, and Caucasus Nature Fund financing partly operations of Armenian protected areas and other specific projects. Many private and community managed protected areas have been established (e.g. Arpa Protected Landscape, etc.).
Arman Vermishyan, Caucasus Nature Fund
Karen Manvelyan, WWF- Armenia
SUCCESS STORIES OF NATURE CONSERVATION
