Integrating CC Risks into Management of Forest Ecosystems in Syunik Marz (07/05/10)

The subject of climate change risks intergration into management of forest ecosystems in Syunik region was discussed during the workshop held on May 7th , 2010. The meeting was arranged in the frame of the "Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia" UNDP/GEF Project.

Representatives of government stakeholders and partner organisations, international and non-governmental organisation, as well as business sector participated in the discussion (see the list of participants below).

Forests adaptation practices from Central Europe were brought to the attention and discussion of participants by Mr. Gerald Kapp, International Technical Adviser. The presented models of forest species distribution mapping, as well as forest vulnerability mapping applied in Europe was especially interesting for the participants from the perspective of its applicability in Armenia.

The project experts and sub-contractors presented the progress under the project and discussed current and future efforts in improvement of forest management, enhancement of forest adaptation to climate change impacts, Syunik forests vulnerability assessment, study of pests and pestholes with focus to climate change, as well as forest fire management problems in the Syunik region.

Applying participatory approach in discussions the stakeholders identified and analised the risks, important to involve in the process of forest ecosystems management. The assessment was carried out in the context of four main following groups: forest processes, biodiversity changes, social-economic development and disturbances related to to forests.

Wrapping up the workshop participants once more emphasized the significance of the discussion taken place, its results as well as stated comments and suggestions to be taken into consideration during the project implementation process.