Posted on February, 26 2014

The fourth year student in the Ijevan Branch of Yerevan State University (YSU) Meri Amirzyan writes her diploma thesis on the topic of the EU funded project Increasing the Resilience of Forest Ecosystems against Climate Change in the Southern Caucasus through Forest Transformation implemented by WWF. One of the project pilot sites called “Noyemberyan” (approximately 78 ha) located in Koghb Forest District of Noyemberyan Forest Enterprise of “Hayantar” SNCO was selected as the topic for the diploma thesis. The topic was decided end of spring 2013, since then Meri Amirzyan started her works on the thesis, including numerous field visits to the site, meetings with respective forestry staff, discussions and observations of field activities. WWF Armenia project coordinator as well as head of forestry department in Ijevan branch of YSU Arthur Alaverdyan supervises the thesis work.

Human capacity building in the frames of the project included also Meri Amirzyan’s participation in a number of project events such as the awareness raising and educational event (November 7, 2013, Ijevan, Spitak pilot site) targeted at forestry students and lecturers from Ijevan Branch of YSU, the community workshop in Koghb community (November 12, 2013, Koghb, Tavush region) and training on climate change and forest transformation (February 18, 2014, Yerevan) prepared and lead by an international consultant Dirk Frankenhauser.

There were also joint visits to the pilot site along with the project staff to discuss various related issues and see the results of the field activities. The student is in the continuous contact with the project in terms of getting respective information (forest transformation plan, modifications, field activities, etc.) and sharing the results of her work.

The thesis defense is planned for May 2014, the EU forest transformation project staff is planning to attend the event.

More information about the EU funded forest transformation project can be found here.

For further information:

Siranush Galstyan
Project Coordinator
Tel: +374 10 58 89 83 (ext. 14)
Email: sgalstyan@wwfcaucasus.org

Arthur Alaverdyan
Project Coordinator
Tel: +374 10 58 89 83 (ext. 17)
Email: aalaverdyan@wwfcaucasus.org

Gera Voskanyan
Partnership and Communications Manager
Tel: +374 10 58 89 83 (ext. 14)
Email: gvoskanyan@wwfcaucasus.org