Strategy and National Action Plan to Combat Desertification in the Republic of Armenia.

Desertification and the underlying phenomena not only promote the hindering and decline of economic development, but also have a negative impact on social, cultural and environmental sectors through acceleration of the effects of separate negative factors and intensification of existing social, political, economic, and environmental issues. From environmental point of view, unbalanced development of the economy negatively impacts the environment, aggravates current ecological situation and finally accelerates desertification processes. Thus, the correlation between the desertification processes and economic situation is often two-sided, interrelated and usually the influence of the latter is more prevalent. The analysis of anthropogenic factors contributing to desertification shows that there is a direct connection between desertification and poverty of the population conditioned by socioeconomic situation relating to formation of economic relations, as well as demographic processes.
The following desertification criteria were adopted by the Republic of Armenia: (1) humidity factor reduction trend; (2) increase of diurnal variation in air and soil temperatures; (3) the amplitude and increase of the absolute temperature; (4) increased evaporation; (5) decrease in precipitation amount; (6) change in the soil formation processes; (7) biodiversity decline; (8) decrease of the river flow; (9) intensification of the land degradation processes; (10) chemical, physical, and biological deterioration of soil structure; (11) increase of mudflows and erosion; (12) the decrease in efficiency of arable land and reduction of humus; (13) intensification of anthropogenic impact; and (14) land degradation neutrality.
In the Republic of Armenia desertification factors are divided into two groups: natural and anthropogenic. Natural factors are: (a) droughts frequent at Ararat valley lowlands and foothill areas and some separate areas of Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions; (b) sandstorms caused by the invasion of tropical air masses and are intensely observed in Ararat valley, Vayk and Syunik regions; (c) moisture deficit caused by uneven distribution of seasonal and regional precipitation; (d) geomorphological features (landforms, fragmentation density of the terrain and depth, steepness of the slopes and their orientation); (e) landslide processes covering about 0.5 million km2 area (around 2% of the country's area) and developing on medium-altitude mountain areas; (f) downpours- intensive on the average elevations of the mountain zone and occupy more than the half of the country; (g) floods, particularly widespread in Ararat and Shirak plains, some adjacent areas to Lake Sevan, as well as in separate settlements of Syunik, Vayots Dzor and Lori regions; and (h) natural salinization widespread in low-lying plains where the underground waters are close to the ground level. The key weather-forming factor in the territory of the country during July-September is the tropical thermal cyclone formed in Arabian Peninsula (thermal depression). Studies indicate that extreme high temperatures, intense droughts and sandstorms are conditioned by this baric/pressure field.
Desertification issues relevant for Armenia, their causes and factors have been identified in the result of the analysis. Complex measures aimed at the improvement of the socio-economic situation may contribute to the prevention/elimination or mitigation of the latter. These include: (1) improvement of legislation and management system; (2) improvement of natural resources use mechanisms; (3) expansion of research activities and improvement of monitoring system; (4) improvement of educational system; (5) ensuring public awareness; (6) implementation of joint activities within the scope of Rio conventions; and (7) ensuring international cooperation.
The aim of the National Action Plan to combat desertification for the period of 2015-2020 (Table 12) is to ensure the implementation of realistic activities contributing to the achievement of strategic objectives and setting rational deadlines. This plan covers four groups of activities which are in compliance with above mentioned strategic priorities. The objectives, implementers, timeframes, funding and expected results for each activity are highlighted. The expected outcomes from the implementation of the National Action Plan in terms of its global implementation refer to the following: (1) improvement of relevant legislation; (2) enhancement of land management effectiveness; (3) public awareness raising on desertification issues and their solution; and (4) increased effectiveness of joint actions and expansion of international cooperation within Rio Conventions.