COST Action E 52 - vTI - Bund.de

as ivy, persimmon, plane and walnut, Fagus orientalis, Hedera helix, Diospyrus caucasicus, Platanus
orientalis, Juglans regia, Periploca graeca etc. The main part of the reserve is occupied by broadleaf
trees – generally oak and oak/hornbeam forests – that occupy the middle area of the vegetation belt
at altitudes of 1,000-2,200 m above the sea.
ForesT research
In the Asian region, numerous research experiments have been established aimed at studying oriental
beech influence and behaviour, such as a study undertaken to establish the effects of harvesting
impact on the herbaceous understory, of the forest floor and top soil properties as well as the effects
of extraction practices on a beech stand (Murat, Makineci, Yilmaz 2005). In this study, the impact
of extraction work on the access roads have been carried out for many years and the likely effects of
man, animal and mechanical interactions in the beech stand have been examined.
Numerous other studies on the genetical characteristics of oriental beech have also been undertaken,
e.g. research aimed at the clarification of the unique Fagus sylvatica-orientalis complex or two distinct
species undertaken by studying the sequence of the trnL-trnF region of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA).
Twenty-nine Fagus sylvatica and twenty-two Fagus orientalis populations have been sampled to better
delineate the systematic position of the genus Fagus, Fagus taurica Popl., Fagus moesiaca Czecz.,
Fagus grandijblia Ehrh., Fagus crenata Bl., Fagus japonica BI., and Fagus hayatae Palibin were also
considered (Vettori et al. 2004).
In 2002, there was an assessment on the adverse effects of human impact on biodiversity in Armenia’s
premier wilderness areas – the Khosrov Reserve and Gndasar Mt./Noravank Canyon (Khorozyan
2002). The report from this experimental study derives from the field project generously supported by
The Whitley Laing Foundation for International Nature Conservation/Rufford Small Grant program
which was implemented over four months in the summer-autumn of 2002. The aim of this project was
to assess the status and distribution of adverse human activities in the areas of both Khosrov Reserve
and Gndasar Mt./Noravank Canyon and predict their actual or potential impact on biodiversity.
Among the results of this research, for example in the Khosrov Reserve, in site conditions studies it
has been established that through out the canyon bottom with streams flowing alongside, this sparse
forest transforms to the dense “jungles” or true woods of oak (Quercus macranthera), oriental beech
(Fagus orientalis), crooked and thorny berry trees and shrubs like buckthorn (Rhamnus pallasii), dog
rose (Rosa canina), hawthorn (Crataegus calycina), wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana), etc.
reFereNces
Adeli E., Soleimani P. 19 6. Insects on oriental beech (Fagus orientalis ssp. macrophylla) in Iran
and their importance for forestry practices and wood utilization. Zeitschrift für Angewandte
Entomologie, 80: 132-138.
Avagyan A. 2009. Review of national research, data and projects on climate change: Dimensions,
impacts and mitigation and adaptation policies in Armenia. http://www.fao.org/world/regional/
reu/events/climate/docs/Armenia_en.pdf
Chukhina I. G. 2003. http://www.agroatlas.ru/en/content/related/Fagus_orientalis/
Ghulijanyan A. 2009. Dendrological Diversity of North-Eastern Armenia and Dynamics of Change
of the Biomass of the Most Valuable Species.
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