Armenian Forests, Aparan
Aparan, Aragatsotn Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Tufenkian Foundation 2006
Yesterday saw a third trip out into the field with Armenian Forests as part of continuing work for the Tufenkian Foundation in Armenia. After visiting Kotayk and the Botanical Gardens for the environmental organization, this time it was to coppicing being used to restore trees that had been cut down by others for fuel or business.
Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management, by which young tree stems are cut down to a low level, or sometimes right down to the ground.
In subsequent growth years, many new shoots will emerge, and after a number of years the cycle begins again and the coppiced tree or stool is ready to be harvested again. Typically a coppice woodland is harvested in sections, on a rotation. In this way each year a crop is available. This has the side-effect of providing a rich variety of habitats, as the woodland always has a range of different aged stools growing in it. This is beneficial for biodiversity.
Incidently, from what I understand, the chainsaws in the photos are used not to cut more trees, but rather to clear any other foilage to make space for those stumps growing. Anyway, all of the work undertaken so far for the Tufenkian Foundation can also be accessed under the appropiate category. Now I’m off to Aghavnadzor to do some more work for Habitat for Humanity.
Aparan, Aragatsotn Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Tufenkian Foundation 2006
I’ve become skeptical about the usefulness in applying coppicing as an attempt to protect/rejuvinate Armenia’s forests. Nothing can be more effective than lobbying the Hyeandar and Ministry of Environment to actually do their jobs, ensuring that overcutting, not to mention illegal cutting did not occur. ATP is doing nothing in that regard, and I don’t expect them to since that would mean becoming politically involved, which doesn’t mix well with philanthropy and glorified landscaping. But Armenian Forests has been political in the past and in my opinion needs to step up the lobbying efforts. Pollarding trees, or what I refer to as decapitating trees, in Yerevan and elsewhere has to come to a complete stop as well, something I hope they work harder on this year and in the future.
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The last three shots are gorgeous, by the way. Good to see your nature-loving side
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Comment by Christian — June 27, 2006 @ 11:38 am
Dear Onnik, thanks for appealing stories and very good photos on our work!!!
Comment by Mher Sharoyan — June 28, 2006 @ 9:13 am