Forest policies, management and conservation in Soviet (1920–1991) and post-Soviet (1991–2005) Armenia

Abstract

The extent and condition of forest ecosystems in Armenia have decreased drastically since the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). This decline is not only a consequence of the recent history of the area, but also the result of decades of forest policies, management and forest-use practices. To reverse the negative trends, it is important for stakeholders, scientists, resource managers and policy makers (in Armenia and abroad) to understand the influential factors in the decline, yet such information is scarce, highly fragmented, written in Armenian or Russian, and inaccessible to the international community. This paper aims to contribute to the knowledge base of the international community by presenting and contrasting the most important issues and processes that have affected forest cover in Armenia during the USSR (1920–1991) and independence periods (1991–to date). For each period, the legal framework, the forest inventory practices, forest use, management and conservation practices, the forestry education, and the perception of the forests by forest communities and society at large are presented and discussed. Except for the social perception of the forests, the most relevant aspects of these issues have scarcely changed from one period to the next. There is a need to address the most pressing problems and improve the current conditions of the forests and the forestry sector in Armenia.

The Armenian forests: threats to conservation and needs for sustainable management

“…The Armenian forests are predominantly composed of complex mixes of broadleaf deciduous tree species (mostly Oak Quercus spp., beech Fagus orientalis, and hornbeam Carpinus betulus and C. orientalis) [2,13]. Table 1 presents more detailed information on the composition and extent of the forest cover at different points in time.…”

“…The most relevant issues that have influenced the current state of the forests in Armenia have changed little from the Soviet era through the independent period [2]. The forests are owned and managed by the Armenian state.…”

“…First, the forest areas inhabitants and adjacent communities perceive that the forests had little or no monetary value for enhancing their economic situation if they are to be used according to the law. Secondly, there has been no opportunity to develop experience in managing the types of forest existing in Armenia with multiple objectives such as water production, protection of soils, recreation, grazing, and high-value timber production [2]. The later is a fundamental part of a sustainable management strategy.…”

“…The later is a fundamental part of a sustainable management strategy. Soviet forest inventories were characterized by the use of visual assessments, limited statistical methods, and ground truthing [2]. Since independence, Armenia has not conducted a forest inventory with national coverage [2,3,19].…”

“…This is particularly true in small countries like Armenia. The 1988-1994 war with neighboring Azerbaijan and the great social, political and economic changes that have occurred since the country gained independence at the time of the collapse of the United Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1991 have created tremendous pressures on the Armenian forests [2]. Ongoing developments and policies continue to threaten the quality and extent of Armenian forests [2,3].…”