“Lichen research development and capacity building in Armenia” (supervisor: Ph.D. A. Gasparyan)
Lichens are composite organisms traditionally known as a symbiotic association of fungi and algae and/or cyanobacteria. Notably, the Republic of Armenia has reported 619 lichenized fungi taxa through the latest lichenological studies. In 2020, for the first time in the history of Armenia, the lichen research and conservation group has been established at the Institute of Botany after A. Takhtajyan NAS RA with starting grant of the Science Committee of the RA to implement dedicated and comprehensive lichenological studies in the country. Our project aims to further advance lichenological research in Armenia while strengthening the capabilities of the research group. The project incorporates several working packages, including lichen diversity exploration in Southern Armenia provinces, studies of epiphytic macrolichens as an indicator of forest continuity and conservation value in Northern Armenia, molecular phylogenetic and taxonomy research of species complexes within the Ramalina and some other genera, etc.
DNA Barcoding of Lichens of Armenia (supervisor: Ph.D. A. Gasparyan)
The main goal of the "DNA Barcoding of Lichens of Armenia" project is to create the preconditions for molecular identification of lichens and integrated biodiversity research in Armenia. DNA barcoding is the method for molecular identification of species using DNA sequence of a specific gene and comparing it to available sequences in the database. In addition to the traditional taxonomy and identification of species based on morphological characteristics, DNA barcoding allows to identify damaged or unrecognizable, complex identifiable specimens as well as cryptic species. As a result of the project, it is planned to obtain and store more than 200 barcodes in the Barcode of Life Database և NCBI GenBank databases. The DNA sequences will also be used in molecular phylogenetic research. In 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the International Barcode of Life Consortium (iBOL) and the Science Committee of the RA MESCS. The implementation of this project will contribute to the expansion and development of this cooperation.
“Impact of past and current trenchant climatic and environmental changes on Armenian Highland lake ecosystems – IMPACT”. (supervisor: Ph.D. G. Federov)
During this period, a comprehensive array of studies was conducted on Lake Urasar (Lori Plateau), encompassing hydrochemical, hydrophysical, and hydrobiological investigations on several other lakes in Armenia.On Lake Urasar, echo sounding was employed to create a detailed bathymetric map. A complex set of hydrochemical, hydrophysical, and hydrobiological studies were conducted to evaluate the current state of the ecosystem. This included a botanical survey of the lake's surroundings, surface sampling near the lake, and subsurface sampling from the lake bottom to assess sub-recent pollen spectra, comparing them with modern vegetation. Remarkably, for the first time, studies of the phytoplankton algal flora of Lake Urasar were conducted, revealing the presence of over 60 species, most of which are cosmopolitan.
“Invasive plant species from A to Z. National inventory, impact assessment, control and management for Armenia”. (supervisor: D.Sc. G. Fayvush)
Numerous new populations and localities of invasive plants have been discovered. Particularly noteworthy are the species that in the last 20-30 years were known from one locality or were not known at all from natural ecosystems (Impatiens glandulifera, Syringa vulgaris, Phytolacca americana, Oenothera biennis, Amorpha fruticosa, Nicandra physalodes). To assess the degree of risk of invasion of individual plant species, a method widely used in many countries of the world was selected and adapted to the conditions of Armenia; this method is very practical and can be used by decision makers. The method was tested on 13 invasive and potentially invasive plant species (Acer negundo, Ailanthus altissima, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Cirsium incanum, Clematis vitalba, Conyza canadensis, Helianthus tuberosus, Hippophae rhamnoides, Leucanthemum vulgare, Robinia pseudoacacia, Silybum marianum, Grindelia squarrosa, Solidago canadensis). As a result of the assessment of these species, it was found that they all have a high invasive potential, which is confirmed by observations and studies carried out in recent decades. The possible impacts of these species on agriculture and the environment were also assessed. In several forestry enterprises in Armenia, the habitats and mechanisms of spread of invasive plant species were analyzed. Particular attention was paid to tree species that can affect forest ecosystems and cause processes of species change in them (scientific supervisor: D.Sc. G. Fayvush).
՞Study of adaptation of a number of relict species of Caucasian flora in botanica
gardens of Armenia. (supervisor: D.Sc. Gabrielyan)
An inventory of about 2,000 specimens of the fossil flora of the Dilijan locality was completed. The prevalence of a number of target species and their ecological and physiological adaptation were also studied in the Vanadzor and Sevan Botanical Gardens. In the reporting year, a number of scientific expeditions were carried out to the regions of Aragatsotn, Tavush, Gegharkunik, Syunik and Lori in order to study the habitats of a number of relict species.
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