Project Title: Identification of ecological and economic values and threats of Armenia's peatlands: A framework for conservation, restoration and wise use.

Grant Agreement Nr. WGP2 -21 GPI 46

Agreement holder: Karen Jenderedjian
NGO Professional and
Entrepreneurial Orientation Union
c/o Agency of Bioresource Management
Ministry of Nature Protection
Government Building 3, Republic Square
375010 Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: 374 1 568027
Email: jender@arminco.com

Country/region: Armenia

Activity period: 01.01.2003-31.12.2003

Documentation and products available:

Background:

During the 20stcentury, the area of peat sequestering wetlands in Armenia decreased by over 60%. The greatest loss was caused by drainage of the Lake Gilli system (1,500 ha) in the 1950's. Studies in 1997 to 1999 revealed a wide diversity of peatlands in the country. However, only a few alpine mires remain comparatively undisturbed. It has become evident that besides information from geological prospecting and botanical research there is almost no data regarding economical and ecological conditions of Armenia's peatlands. Economic use of peatlands and their natural resources were not regulated and stakeholders were not identified.

Brief project description:

The project aimed to improve management of peatlands in Armenia through the gathering and acquisition of information on the effectiveness of various socio-economic stimulating measures and by enabling instruments to facilitate the equitable sharing of the costs and benefits of different management options, including conservation and restoration. The target groups of the project are: local communities and administrations, farmers, businessmen, societies of hunters and fishermen, interested in sustainable use of peatlands and its resources; the Ministry of Nature Protection, NGOs, and people concerned in peatlands/mires conservation and restoration.

Partners:

Government agencies:
  • Agency of Bioresource Management of the Ministry of Nature Protection;
  • Sevan National Park;
  • Department of Environment Protection, Gegharquniq Marz Administration;

Communities:
  • Communities of villages Ardenis and Berdashen (Shirak Marz),
  • Tsaghkahovit, Oshakan, Vardablur and Meliq-gyugh (Aragatsotn Marz),
  • Norakert and Torfavan (Gegharquniq Marz),
  • Metsavan (Lori Marz)

Results:

Expected
Outputs and Results achieved

Obj. 1. To provide the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia with the updated comprehensive data on the peatlands of Armenia, with special reference to ecologic-economic values and threats.

Activities:

1.1

Data collection and analyses of environmental conditions based on existing literature and fieldwork. An analysis of major conflicts and threats to peatlands.

1.2

Production of a map of peatlands of Armenia based on the existing cartographic materials and new GPS data

1.3

Develop information sheets for each mire ecosystem of Armenia.

1.4

Prepare a report for the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia on the results of data analyses, including a map of peatlands and mires of Armenia and information sheets for each mire ecosystem

  • Full report on the peatlands of Armenia, based on a detailed inventory. The overview of peatlands diversity, distribution, values and threats has been submitted to the Agency of Bioresource Management of the Ministry of Nature Protection.
  • Full report submitted to the Agency of Bioresource Management of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia and also available for other interested parties in Armenian and English (abstracts).
  • Main threats appeared to be drainage, water-logging (reservoirs), pollution (domestic sewage and agricultural run-off), over-exploitation (livestock over-grazing), and invasive species.
  • Map with 27 peatlands and mires, scale 1:200,000.
  • Sketch maps (1:25 000) for 7 peatlands of international, national and local importance.
  • Ramsar information sheets prepared for 7 mire ecosystems.

Obj. 2. To designate peatlands that meet criteria of international, national and local importance and to develop science-based guidance for peatland conservation, sustainable use and rehabilitation of the most important peatlands

Activities:

2.1

To carry out an integrated ecologic-economic valuation of peatlands.

2.2

To carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment of natural and human induced factors affecting peatlands, and to provide forecast for future trends.

2.3

Identify those peatlands that meet the Ramsar Criteria for Wetlands of International Importance and/or need a special conservation status.

2.4

To develop Ramsar Information Sheets (RIS) for each potential peatland Ramsar site

2.5

To develop sketch-maps of the most important peatlands

2.6

To elaborate the principles of Guidance for peatland wise use in Armenia in accordance with Ramsar Resolution

Guidelines on valuation and management planning of peatlands were developed based on the Ramsar and IMCG wise use guidelines. Two of Armenia's peatlands meet the Ramsar criteria of international importance, two others meet criteria of national importance and three were found to be of local significance.

  • The method of "total valuation" was applied for national peatland income accounting. Direct use values of peatlands were estimated at Euro 924,000. Indirect use values were estimated at Euro 53,000; Optional values: Euro 562,000; Thus, the integrated ecologic-economic value of Armenian peatlands was estimated at Euro 1,544,000
  • An assessment of environmental impact was implemented.
  • Identification of important peatlands was completed and restoration needs described.
  • RIS available for Lori Relict Ponds, Torfavan Mire, Vardenut Bog, Akhuryan Floodplain, Ardenis Sloping Fen, Gridzor Sloping Fen and Bazyrkhan Mire.
  • Scetch-maps reflecting most recent changes (2003) are available for Lori Relict Ponds, Torfavan Mire, Vardenut Bog, Akhuryan Floodplain, Ardenis Sloping Fen, Gridzor Sloping Fen and Bazyrkhan Mire.
  • Inclusion of 3 peatland areas in the National action plan and strategy for development of especially protected natural areas of Armenia as high priority for 2005-2008.

3. To provide managers and local inhabitants with information and educational materials about the functions and values of peatlands as well as importance of involvement of local communities in participation in the management of wetlands, and peatlands in particular.

Activities:

3.1

To identify stakeholders and major land and water use in and around peatland areas.

3.2

To introduce to the local administrative authorities the project objectives and proposed activities.

3.3

Compilation, publication and dissemination of the brochure Peatlands of Armenia (title is optional) among the people concerned

3.4

Popularization of wise use of peatlands through the meetings with different stakeholders

Strongly enhanced knowledge of managers and local inhabitants about wetlands, and peatlands in particular, through community-participative awareness activities and information dissemination.

  • A full stakeholder analysis was implemented
  • A special meeting was organized with more than 50 representatives of relevant government sectors and stakeholder groups
  • Instead of the initially planned brochure on Peatlands of Armenia, two brochures were produced with a focus on peatlands: Wetland Values and Functions and How to Make a Wetland Management Plan and disseminated among all interested persons and organizations.
  • Questionnaires disseminated before and after the public awareness campaign among 169 different stakeholders as well as 55 pupils of different secondary schools indicated that 93% of them had come to understand about functions and values of wetlands in general, and peatlands in particular, as well as the importance of management planning involving stakeholders.

Evaluation

The project was very successful, achieving significant results under all objectives and actions. In addition, the project supported the development and submission of a project proposal Establishment of Protected Areas on Armenia's Javakheti Plateau mainly aimed at wetlands, and particularly peatlands, to the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). The proposal won a competitive basis. Further approval for an investment of Euro 1.75 million as part of the "Caucasus Initiative", was launched by the German Ministry of Cooperation and Development.
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last update: 20/07/04