|
Research into biodiversity has contributed strongly to the
development of conservation policy around the world. Research
acts to identify impacts of human activities and priorities
for conservation, to guide appropriate methods for conservation
and to monitor the success of conservation programmes. A key
first stage for developing conservation policy is an accurate
assessment of the species and ecosystems present and their
status. Armenia has a strong history of scientific research
on biodiversity and other disciplines. Information gathered
through research into the fauna and flora of Armenia provides
the basis for the data on the biodiversity of the country,
and underpins the planning process for the BSAP.
|
The history
of research into biodiversity in Armenia
Biological research in Armenia
effectively dates to the earliest civilisations, where
experimentation with micro-organisms and fermentation
processes led to the development of beer, wine, cheese
and other dairy products, traces of which have been
found in excavations dating back to the 7th century
BC. Since that period, many records exist about the
biodiversity of Armenia. The first descriptions of the
animals of the country date from the 4th century (Kesaetsi),
while even earlier historical references were made to
animal intelligence in Armenian texts (Metrodoros).
Early descriptions exist of the uses of animals for
agriculture, including horses, cows, sheep, dogs, chickens,
and bees (the Girk Vastakots text). The diversity and
use of plants has also been well documented in Armenia,
with some references dating back to the 15th century
(A. Amasiatzi). Further documentation of the fauna and
flora of the country continued between the 17th and
19th centuries (by Kostandnapolisetsi, Tournefor, Eichvald,
G. Alishan, Koch, Wagner, Bush, and Lipski, among others).
Of key importance are the studies of medicinal use of
plants in Armenia ('Botany in Armenia', S. Shamiramyan).
In addition, research into the aquatic ecosystems of
the country was initiated towards the end of the 19th
century. Since then scientific research on biodiversity
thrived in Armenia in the 1920-1930s during the Soviet
era, with extensive studies of the fauna and flora of
the country. However, recent economic crises have led
to decline in the sector, as a result of lack of funding
for research.
|
Research centres
At present several institutes have the capacity to undertake
biodiversity research and training, including:
· The research institutes of the Armenian National
Academy of Sciences (the institutes of Botany, Zoology, Aquatic
Ecology and Fisheries, Agro-chemistry and Hydroponics, and
Microbiology).
· The associated institutes of the Ministry of Agriculture
and the Ministry of Industry (Institutes of Land Cultivation,
Soil-science, Plant Protection, Wine and Berry Production,
and Applied Biotechnologies).
· Higher education institutions, including the Yerevan
State University, Agricultural Academy, Medical Institute,
and Teaching Institute (where students are trained in zoology,
botany, microbiology, ecology, geography, and soil science).
· The Department of Protected Areas in the Ministry
of Nature Protection has scientific centres for Zoology and
Botany.
Focal areas of research
The biodiversity of Armenia has been documented and studied
for a number of centuries (see box above). Much of the research
relates to studies on classification and taxonomy, population
dynamics, and conservation of the genebank. Such research
has been based on material stored in scientific collections
(herbariums, museums, botanic and zoological gardens, genebanks,
and seedbanks), as well as on data collected on field expeditions,
and a wealth of information on biodiversity has been published
in scientific monographs and articles. In addition, specific
applied research has focused on human threats to biodiversity,
the development of a sound scientific basis for ex-situ and
in-situ conservation and reintroduction, and issues relating
to invasive species. Key focus areas for biological research
and inventory are explained in more detail below, along with
assessments of the extent of knowledge about particular groups
of organisms and systems.
Micro-organisms
The development of the science of microbiology in the late
19th century led to extensive research in Armenia, particularly
in relation to yoghurt production (matsoon). During this century,
micro-organisms from soil, foodstuffs, fermentation, and other
sources have been extensively studied in Armenia, by national
and foreign scientists, resulting in the documentation of
many new species and types, some of which have important commercial
uses.
Flora
At present not all groups of Armenian plants are equally
well known - the best studied are the fungi and flowering
plants. A seven volume publication documents fungi and related
groups (The Micoflora of Armenia) with a further three volumes
in preparation. Work since the 1950s has culminated in the
production of nine volumes documenting vascular plants (The
Flora of Armenia). A further two volumes on monocotyledons
will soon be published. However, in comparison to these two
taxa, other plant groups are less well studied.
Information of the distribution on vegetation types, and
geo-botanical relationships, has been recorded since the 1920s,
when an inventory was compiled of pastures and grasslands.
Further botanical studies have described key floristic regions
and habitat types of the country. Other research has focused
on plants of industrial and commercial value, including information
on their distributions and chemical composition.
Fauna
Extensive surveys and inventory of animal species began
in the 1930s, with the publication of a number of monographs
devoted to various insects and birds. Further zoological studies
followed, including the publication of 'The Fauna of Armenia'
in 1954 (S. Dal), and work on herpetology (in particular,
parthogenesis in lizards). Since the 1950s zoological research
has continued on various groups (including molluscs, arachnids,
beetles, ticks, amphibians, reptiles, birds and bats), with
studies focusing on their taxonomy, zoogeography, ecology
and behaviour, as well as issues relating to their conservation.
Agrobiodiversity
While knowledge of plant and animal breeding dates back
many centuries, systematic research into the diversity of
cultivars and of native breeds of livestock started in the
19th and early 20th centuries. Extensive research has been
conducted into crop diversity, studying issues such as genetic
diversity within and between varieties, identification of
varieties, wild relatives, and their natural habitats. These
studies have aided the development of new varieties, and a
series of high-yield crops have been produced. Such research
and breeding still continues today.
Aquatic systems
A large body of information has been collected on the biodiversity
associated with aquatic systems in Armenia. Phytoplankton
surveys have been conducted in more than 60 sites, and regular
assessments of phytoplankton are made in key lakes (including
surveys dating back to the 1930s in Lake Sevan). Other studies
include surveys of wetland plant species, research into the
fish associated with various water bodies, and surveys of
aquatic invertebrates. By far the most extensive research
has been conducted in Lake Sevan, where the populations, lifecycles,
development and productivity of invertebrates (including bottom
living species) have been studied. In addition, the fish species
of Lake Sevan have been intensively studied with regard to
their populations and productivity, particularly in relation
to fisheries.
Survey and monitoring
Although no comprehensive State survey of biodiversity has
been conducted, scientists have conducted surveys of forests,
grasslands and pastures, and of rare species, including mammals
and game species. Species lists for plants and key vertebrate
groups have been compiled for four State Reserves and the
National Park. Some of the biological research conducted in
Armenia also incorporated a monitoring component, particularly
studies of species/genetic diversity, rare and endangered
species, populations of fish and game animals, use of wild
plants and distributions of introduced/invasive species. However,
such monitoring was conducted on an ad hoc basis and was rarely
systematic. Similarly, monitoring conducted in protected areas
was incomplete, and often involved short-term assessments,
without clear targets. Since the economic difficulties, no
monitoring of biodiversity is currently undertaken in Armenia,
resulting in a lack of up-to-date information on the populations
and distributions of valuable and threatened species.
Much of the research described was conducted during the Soviet
era, when financial support for science was high. During this
period Armenia supported many high-calibre scientists working
in the field of biodiversity research. However, the recent
economic hardships have resulted in a lack of money for research
or for scientists' salaries. Therefore, limited research is
currently conducted on biodiversity in Armenia. Despite these
difficulties the intellectual and technical capacities for
research within Armenia remain high. The challenge is to apply
this resource to key questions relating to biodiversity conservation
|
