Influence of public hunting lands on water birds of internationally recognized conservation areas in Armenia

Abstract

The paper is aimed at identification of the use of the Public Hunting Lands (PHL) by hunters in Armenia, and determination of the risks for priority waterbird species. In Armenia, the Government has allocated 40 PHLs, with a total area of 5,426.48 square kilometres, which do not overlap with the nationally protected areas, but overlap with the internationally recognized conservation sites, important for protection of breeding populations of waterbird species and their congregations during migrations: Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), Emerald Sites protected under Bern Convention, and critical sites for migratory waterbirds, recognized under African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA sites). Thus, PHLs overlap with 40,660 ha or 10% of the total IBA’s area, 84,933 ha or 8% of Emerald Sites, and 14,864 ha or 8% of AEWA sites. Some of the most frequently visited PHLs overlap with all three categories of the mentioned conservation sites, imposing threat of illegal shooting of the priority waterbird species (listed in national legislation and/or in international agreements). Among 200 priority bird species recorded within the overlapping areas, there are eight species with 50-100% of their Armenian population inside the overlapping areas. To reduce the risks of illegal hunting for the priority bird species it is necessary: · To review the PHLs and exclude overlapping areas, · To set up other alternative PHLs, and · To begin a process of wetland restoration instead of lost ones, with the main aim to increase breeding habitats and stopover points for the waterfowl and waders.