Cbd third National Report Armenia (English version)

29. 
    
    

Target 6. At least thirty percent of production lands managed consistent with the conservation of plant diversity.
Has your country established national target corresponding to the above global target?
Yes
No	X
Please specify
The mentioned target is not stipulated in any strategic paper in the republic.
Has your country incorporated the above global or national target into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
Yes	X
No
Please specify
In the section “Forest management and biodiversity conservation” of “National forest policy and strategy of the Republic of Armenia” (2004) document as a strategic target they mention: conservation of the forest environmental values and biodiversity and among the measures to be implemented in “National forest program of the Republic of Armenia” they have included the issue of preventing the loss of natural habitat of individual species of biodiversity and individual species. With the purpose of protecting the natural pastures, pay meadows and forest biodiversity a special attention is drawn on the issue of sustainable use in NBSAP, where they envisage development of regulations for the use of the most vulnerable cohabitations; preparation of guidelines for farmers about the volumes of grazing; identification of the best proportion of surfaces of pastures and grasslands and pastures in the various landscape zones; implementation of the rehabilitation programs of natural pastures and grasslands, especially alpine meadows.
Current status (please indicate current status related to this target)
The conservation of Armenian lands is performed in compliance with the national and territorial programs. The owner/users of the lands have certain obligations for the conservation of lands. According to 1993 registration results (the last one) the National Forest Fund constitutes 460 thousand ha, of which 334,1 thousand ha are forest covered areas, including around 50 thousand ha of artificial forests. The natural pastures and grasslands are mainly the territories of state fund, are not subject to privatization and their management is performed by the authorized state body.
Measures taken to achieve target (please indicate activities, legislative measures and other steps taken with a view to achieve the target)
In the Land Code (1991) the conservation of the land is presented in an individual section, where there is clear demarcation of the obligations of the land users. The conservation and effective use of the lands is performed on the basis of land-construction and environmental national and territorial programs. The needed measures aimed at the conservation of the lands are implemented by the owners and users at the expense of proper resources and the conservation of the state lands – at the expense of state (community) budgets. Within “State forests management” component of “Natural resources management and poverty reduction” for “Sevqar” and “Ijevan” forest industries they have developed forest management plans (FMP) according to the sustainable forest management principles and taking into account the biodiversity consideration. Within the same program at present the develop FMP for additional 4 forest farms. Within the “Improvement of “Sevan” and “Dilijan” national parks management” sub-component of the “Management of the protected area and biodiversity conservation” component of the same program they implement “Development of participatory management plans of “Sevan” and “Dilijan” national parks” program, which adopted the conservation of the plants’ diversity as a priority issue. Within framework of “Community-based management of watershed basins” component in 9500 ha pastures of 59 communities of 2 marzes of the republic they implement methods of sustainable management, thanks to which they will ensure the conservation of the flora in highly mountainous sub-alpine and alpine zones (See also target 1.2 and 2.1)
Progress made towards target (please specify indicators used to monitor progress towards the target)
Constraints to achieving progress towards the target
Insufficient financial and material-technical resources; lack of human potential; poor public awareness. Lack of mechanisms for the regulation of the optimal burden of the pastures.
Any other relevant information

30. 
    
    

Target 7. Sixty percent of the world’s threatened species conserved In-situ.
Has your country established national target corresponding to the above global target?
Yes
No	X
Please specify
The target of protecting sixty percent of the threatened species has not been identified; however, the principles of their in-situ conservation are reflected in the “Law on Flora”; NBSAP and “State strategy and national action plan for specially protected area of Armenia’s nature”.
Has your country incorporated the above global or national target into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
Yes
No
Please specify
The target is included in a range of strategic documents and the Government Resolutions: - The Government Resolution # 49 “On improving the conservation of valuable tree species of the forests of the Republic of Armenia” dated 23.01.2001; - “National forest policy and strategy of the Republic of Armenia” 2005; - “Action plan for mitigating actions to help address the problems associated with illegal logging” 2005; - “National forest plan of the Republic of Armenia” 2005.
Current status (please indicate current status related to this target)
387 rare and extinguishing species of Armenia, which are registered in the Armenian Red Book, are protected by the relevant articles of “Law on Flora” (1999). The in-situ conservation of the plants is performed mainly in the system of specially protected area (see box XXVII, target 5). At present they perform the inventory of certain SPAN (“Sevan” and “Dilijan” national parks; “Khosrov Forest” reserve); identify the rare species and specify the state of populations. They have prepared the list of plant species of “Khosrov forest” and “Shikahogh” state reserves; “Sevan” and “Dilijan” national parks. They have started the works over establishing new SPAN. Among them from the plant studies point of view the establishment of national park in Vayots Dozr marz and Zangezur region are of special importance. According to preliminary data on the territory of the established national park there are no less than 20 endemic species and the entire flora of the territory includes more than 1100 species of vascular plants. On the territory of the state reserve of Zangezur region there are around 30 endemic plants, as well as a range of medical and other commercially valuable plants.
Measures taken to achieve target (please indicate activities, legislative measures and other steps taken with a view to achieve the target)
By the decree # 23 dated 12.02.04 of the Minister of Nature Protection they have approved “The order of conducting of the Red Book of the plants of the Republic of Armenia and composition of the Red Book commission of the Republic of Armenia”. By the decree # 98 dated 02.02.06 they approved the list of the plants included in the Red Book of Armenia, which will contribute to the improvement of the conservation of the given plants. The type composition of the plants and the state of their populations identified as a result of plants inventory and registration implemented within “Management of the protected area and conservation of biodiversity” component of “Natural resources management and poverty reduction” will serve as a basis for the development of “Sevan” and “Dilijan” national parks management.
Progress made towards target (please specify indicators used to monitor progress towards the target)
There are 387 species included in the Armenian Red Book (1989), which constitute around 12% (around 3500 species) of Armenia’s vascular plants. Around 70% of vascular plants are protected in SPNZ.
Constraints to achieving progress towards the target
Due to lack of data not situational analysis of the entire territory of the republic has been conducted. The difficulties for the implementation of the aforementioned target are mainly linked with insufficiency of financial resources and specialists (classification, plants specialists; florists), especially young staff.
Any other relevant information

31. 
    
    

Target 8. Sixty percent of threatened plant species in accessible Ex-situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and 10 percent of them included in recovery and restoration programmes.
Has your country established national target corresponding to the above global target?
Yes
No	X
Please specify
The target is not mentioned, however, its substance is reflected in “Law on Flora” and NBSAP.
Has your country incorporated the above global or national target into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
Yes	X
No
Please specify
In NBSAP the ex-situ conservation is identified as one of the strategic directions of the country and includes the following activities; - improvement of the ex-situ conservation mechanisms; - establishment and maintenance of nurseries and collections of plants; - establishment and maintenance of nurseries; - establishment and maintenance of seeds and genetic databases. To rehabilitate the illegally logged forests in “National Forest Program” they have envisaged to use mainly indigenous plant species, for which they have envisaged to rehabilitate the seeds and seedling farms by the introduction of new technologies for growing seedlings in closed and open soil.
Current status (please indicate current status related to this target)
In Armenia the ex-situ conservation of the plants is performed by plants’ gardens and dendroparks, which are scientific-research, educational, environmental and training institutions. Around 6 thousand species are grown and kept here, including 5 thousand species in Yerevan Botanical Park. The aborigine flora representatives of Armenia are of special importance, which constitute 25% of the flora of the republic. However, in recent years the state botanical collections in botanical parks and dendroparks not only hasn’t been improved, but also considerably worsened. Under the name of re-organization there has been a decrease of NAS botanical park and its branches funding, as a result of which the unique collection of Armenian flora is in extremely dire situation.
Measures taken to achieve target (please indicate activities, legislative measures and other steps taken with a view to achieve the target)
In 2005 the Government approved the sample statute of dendropark s.
Progress made towards target (please specify indicators used to monitor progress towards the target)
Indicators – number of Armenian flora species in ex-situ conditions; number of rare and extinguishing species in the nature. There is no progress. If 15 years ago Armenian flora collection of Yerevan Botanical Park would include more than 1000 species, then today this number is less than 600. The collection is not upgraded and there are no activities for the development of rare species.
Constraints to achieving progress towards the target
Financial constraints; lack of specialist.
Any other relevant information

32. 
    
    

Target 9. Seventy percent of the genetic diversity of crops and other major socio-economically valuable plant species conserved, and associated indigenous and local knowledge maintained.
Has your country established national target corresponding to the above global target?
Yes
No	X
Please specify
Has your country incorporated the above global or national target into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
Yes
No	X
Please specify
The conservation of 70% of crops genetic diversity is not stipulated in the program and strategic documents of the republic. In the documents listed in the text box VII, target 3.1 they have generally mentioned the need for the conservation of the plants’ gene pool in situ conditions, where the advantage is given to the rare and extinguishing representative of flora, as well as ex situ conditions, where the selection and local ancient species and wild species of berries, grapes and main agricultural crops are dominant.
Current status (please indicate current status related to this target)
Approximately the half to Armenian flora needs to be protected; however, only 387 species are included in the Red Book of the country. 50 of the plant species on the verge of extinction (rare, extinguishing, and diminishing) are crop wild relatives. Those species have high socio-economic value (wheat, grain, barley, rye, pea, bean, peach, etc.), of which the knowledge of indigenous people is kept and used in the people’s selection. However, the existing programs and implementing measures do not ensure the conservation of 70% of crops genetic diversity.
Measures taken to achieve target (please indicate activities, legislative measures and other steps taken with a view to achieve the target)
There are short-term conservation seeds collections of grains and their wild relatives (Armenian Agriculture Academy – 3460 samples); melons and gourds plants (scientific center of melons and gourds breeding – 591 samples); selection species of cereals and leguminous plants (scientific center of land cultivation and plants’ conservation – 6840 samples). They have begun the development of medium-term and short-term conservation databases of genetic resources for agriculture and food purposes.
Progress made towards target (please specify indicators used to monitor progress towards the target)
Indicators – number of agricultural crops in seeds collections, including ancient species and wild relatives. - Number of plants’ species of socio-economic importance growing in specially protected area of nature. - number of agricultural crops, including ancient species and wild relatives kept in the seeds collections.
Constraints to achieving progress towards the target
Lack of conditions for the long-term conservation of the samples; financial constraints connected with the maintenance of the collections; heating of green houses; care of trees, etc. Lack of management plans of specially protected area and monitoring in those areas, lack of on firm conservation mechanisms for ancient crop species in the farms.
Any other relevant information

33. 
    
    

Target 10. Management plans in place for at least 100 major alien species that threaten plants, plant communities and associated habitats and ecosystems.
Has your country established national target corresponding to the above global target?
Yes
No	X
Please specify
Has your country incorporated the above global or national target into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
Yes
No	X
Please specify
Current status (please indicate current status related to this target)
They have stared to study the alien species of Armenia’s flora. The preliminary list of those species is developed, their spread in the republic is explained, their role and participation in the normal ecosystems is evaluated; they have started to establish a database of alien plant species as by format proposed by EU.
Measures taken to achieve target (please indicate activities, legislative measures and other steps taken with a view to achieve the target)
In practice the provisions of “Law on plants conservation and plants quarantine” are aimed at the solution of this issue (only in agro-ecosystems). The scientific topic of study of invasive species is approved by Ministry of Science and Education and financed by the state budget.
Progress made towards target (please specify indicators used to monitor progress towards the target)
Specific activities aimed at the study of invasive species have stared in spring 2005. Indicators – number of studied alien species; the number of those species that are endangering normal ecosystems and biodiversity; changes of areas for spread of alien species in the republic.
Constraints to achieving progress towards the target
Insufficient funding of scientific researches; lack of highly qualified staff; undervaluation of the seriousness of the matter by scientific and state institutions of the country.
Any other relevant information

34. 
    
    

    Target 11. No species of wild flora endangered by international trade.
    Has your country established national target corresponding to the above global target?
    Yes
    No	X
    Please specify
    Armenia has not ratified “Convention on international trade of wild flora and fauna species on the verger of extinction” and the issue mentioned in the target is not primary for the biodiversity of the republic.
    Has your country incorporated the above global or national target into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
    Yes
    No	X
    Please specify
    Current status (please indicate current status related to this target)
    Measures taken to achieve target (please indicate activities, legislative measures and other steps taken with a view to achieve the target)
    Progress made towards target (please specify indicators used to monitor progress towards the target)
    Constraints to achieving progress towards the target
    Any other relevant information

35. 
    
    

    Target 12. Thirty percent of plant-based products derived from sources that are sustainably managed.
    Has your country established national target corresponding to the above global target?
    Yes
    No	X
    Please specify
    Has your country incorporated the above global or national target into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
    Yes
    No	X
    Please specify
    Current status (please indicate current status related to this target)
    This target is not included in the strategies or relevant programs; however, in the presently developed management plans for two national parks of the republic (5% of the total area of the republic) they will include activities for receive of natural raw material/product from sources managed in sustainable manner. They have also developed the management plans for 2 forest farms and development of management plans for 3 forest farms in ongoing. In the aforementioned plans they have included measures for the sustainable receipt and use of timber and non-timber forest products. The expansion of forest certification process will contribute to the solution of the same process. Within “Development of sustainable use of medical herbs in the Caucasus region” project in Gegharkunik marz in 2002 WWF has implemented activities for plantation growth of most used and highly demanded medical herbs. The received results are encouraging and come to prove that the receipt of the natural raw material from resources managed in sustainable manner reduces the human impact on the natural ecosystems.
    Measures taken to achieve target (please indicate activities, legislative measures and other steps taken with a view to achieve the target)
    The legal framework regulating the target has been established – they have adopted the Forest Code (2005); National Forest Program (2005).
    Progress made towards target (please specify indicators used to monitor progress towards the target)
    Constraints to achieving progress towards the target
    Lack of information about resources of wild edible; medical, technical and other plants and amounts subject to use; lack of funding to conduct these surveys; lack of scientific personnel.
    Any other relevant information

36. 
    
    

    Target 13. The decline of plant resources, and associated indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and practices that support sustainable livelihoods, local food security and health care, halted.
    Has your country established national target corresponding to the above global target?
    Yes	X
    No
    Please specify
    Has your country incorporated the above global or national target into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
    Yes	X
    No
    Please specify
    In NBSAP an entire strategic direction (sustainable use) is dedicated to the fostering of sustainable use of natural resources by the local communities. In particular they have envisaged to: - foster the application of sustainable use methods of biodiversity in agriculture; - foster sustainable use of forest resources; - foster sustainable use by the local communities; - develop mechanisms of sustainable us of resources in the proximity of specially protected areas; - establish mechanisms for rehabilitation of forest resources and mechanisms of reduction of impact on them; - develop and implement sustainable eco-tourism fostering projects.
    Current status (please indicate current status related to this target)
    At present the management plans developed for two national parks include activities aimed at the involvement of the local community population in sustainable use of natural resources.
    Measures taken to achieve target (please indicate activities, legislative measures and other steps taken with a view to achieve the target)
    Development of specially protected area of nature and forest management plans is a participatory process, where the local population is actively involved. During the meetings and trainings organized for them a special attention is paid to the analysis of the traditional methods and experience of botanical resources, which support the sustainable provision of subsistence.
    Progress made towards target (please specify indicators used to monitor progress towards the target)
    Constraints to achieving progress towards the target
    In NBSAP all the activities are evaluated as II and III class priorities. Consequently – as a result there is lack of funding.
    Any other relevant information

37. 
    
    

    Target 14. The importance of plant diversity and the need for its conservation incorporated into communication, educational and public-awareness programmes.
    Has your country established national target corresponding to the above global target?
    Yes
    No	X
    Please specify
    Has your country incorporated the above global or national target into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
    Yes
    No	X
    Please specify
    The aforementioned target is included in the sub-component 2 (“Management of state forests” and “Management of protected area and conservation of biodiversity”) of “Natural resources management and poverty reduction” program and partially “National forest program of the Republic of Armenia” (2005). In “Self-evaluation of national capacities for global environmental management” UNDP/GEF project (2002) the issues of plants diversity and conservation are not emphasized; those are included in crossing objectives of three global conventions (Climate Change; Biodiversity and To combat Desertification), in particular connected with the environmental education and public awareness. In “Environmental Education Program of Armenia”, the draft of which was developed in 2003, the issues of the plants conservation are not deemed separately and included in the general environmental issues.
    Current status (please indicate current status related to this target)
    The implementation of the aforementioned target is implemented in different levels: - by the secondary education curriculum (botanical science; natural science and other courses) and education programs of middle vocational educational institutions with relevant specializations; - in specialized chairs of universities (botanical science; forest science; ecology, etc.); - by various components of “Natural resources management and poverty reduction” – in “Sevan” and “Dilijan” national parks, educational regional center of Zikatar forest; - in Yerevan and marzes by national institute of education; - in Institute of Botany of NAS and botanical park; - in environmental museums (Yerevan, Gyumri, Sevan, Dilijan) and in the nature. A range of informational and educative materials have been published (booklets; brochures; books, guide books), which contain information about Convention on Biological Diversity and plants diversity and conservation.
    Measures taken to achieve target (please indicate activities, legislative measures and other steps taken with a view to achieve the target)
    See section III. “Law on population’s environmental education and upbringing” (2001).
    Progress made towards target (please specify indicators used to monitor progress towards the target)
    No developed indicator.
    Constraints to achieving progress towards the target
    Lack of funding and personnel. Insufficiency of programs and education-methodology materials. Lack of continuing education of specialists.
    Any other relevant information

38. 
    
    

Target 15. The number of trained people working with appropriate facilities in plant conservation increased, according to national needs, to achieve the targets of this Strategy.
Has your country established national target corresponding to the above global target?
Yes
No	X
Please specify
Has your country incorporated the above global or national target into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
Yes
No
Please specify
Current status (please indicate current status related to this target)
In bioresources management agency of Ministry of Nature Protection work – in botanical resources management section 7 staff; in SPAN management section 7 staff; in dendropark management section 5 staff; however, the majority are not specialists of botanic, even biologists. In scientific sections of two national parks and one state reserve there are 1 botanic staff in each, who still need professional training and there is not botanical scientific staff in the personnel of two reserves.
Measures taken to achieve target (please indicate activities, legislative measures and other steps taken with a view to achieve the target)
In 2002 they established bioresources management agency of Ministry of Nature Protection and approved its statute (Government Resolution No1236 dated 08.08.02). The aforementioned agency has 4 sections, 3 of which - botanical resources management; SPAN management and dendropark management – are dealing with plants’ conservation issues.
Progress made towards target (please specify indicators used to monitor progress towards the target)
Constraints to achieving progress towards the target
Insufficiency of funding; lack of specialists especially in marzes; lack of methodology, education and didactic materials, insufficient awareness of public.
Any other relevant information

39. 
    
    

Target 16. Networks for plant conservation activities established or strengthened at national, regional and international levels.
Has your country established national target corresponding to the above global target?
Yes
No	X
Please specify
Has your country incorporated the above global or national target into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
Yes
No	X
Please specify
Current status (please indicate current status related to this target)
Measures taken to achieve target (please indicate activities, legislative measures and other steps taken with a view to achieve the target)
Progress made towards target (please specify indicators used to monitor progress towards the target)
Constraints to achieving progress towards the target
Any other relevant information

40. 
    
    

Please elaborate below on the implementation of this strategy specifically focusing on: outcomes and impacts of actions taken; contribution to the achievement of the goals of the Strategic Plan of the Convention; contribution to progress towards the 2010 target; progress in implementing national biodiversity strategies and action plans; contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; constraints encountered in implementation.