Biodiversity surveys conducted for Sisian-Kajaran road construction project (EIA)

Study Extent

The study area for the Project includes a 500m corridor centred on the proposed road (250m on each side of the alignment) as a priority for the biodiversity surveys and then widened as required, depending on the biodiversity (e.g., greater for birds and smaller for flora) and the relevant ecologically appropriate areas of analysis (EAAAs) for potential biodiversity priority features.

Sampling

Suitable specialists conducted the fieldwork for different groups (flora and habitats, terrestrial mammals and bats, birds, reptiles and amphibians, fishes, butterflies). Surveys were conducted over a year (four seasons) to cover the variety of ecological cycles of different target species (breeding, wintering, migration), commensurate with the potential Project risks and impacts.

Surveys were conducted for 16-17 days per season, as appropriate for the various groups of animals and plants, i.e. all four seasons for birds and mammals, spring-summer for reptiles, etc. A summary of these surveys is provided below.

Method steps

1. The mammal group is diverse and therefore requires diverse strategies for each mammal type of mammals as described below:
   a. For small mammals, trapping methods were used with live traps set up in the surrounding areas along the proposed road within the EAAAs, to cover all habitat types within the study area.
   b. For medium and large terrestrial mammals, observations of mountain slopes by binoculars and telescope were implemented (for ungulates such as the Armenian Mouflon and Bezoar goat), along with transects. Along the transects, indications of animals (tracks and droppings) were recorded. As many mammals species are furtive and hard to detect, 9 camera-traps were deployed in the most ecologically sensitive area of the project (excluding the area above the tunnel), south of the Bargushat tunnel.
   
   Camera-trapping
   Camera traps were used to gather data on large mammal movement and distribution, and to identify corridors, for daily movements and migration (especially for Armenian Mouflon). Nine camera-traps were deployed in key locations for potential presence of large mammal species. To optimize data collection, the camera traps were left onsite for several seasons, and represent in total 1,089 camera-trap days.
2. Data on bird species diversity and relative abundance was sourced from unstandardized observations, including nest and lek (gathering of male birds) searches and standardized counts (data collected according to standard methodology). Both data can be used to create species distribution maps, while the second method can be used for estimates of species’ density and numbers.
   
   
3. Two different methodologies were implemented regarding bats: a. Passive bat detectors (automated bat recorder) near potential feeding areas of bats: one close to Shamb reservoir and one close to Geghavank reservoir to document bat species diversity and to define bat activity and utilisation of riparian and aquatic habitats.
   b. Manual bat detectors: transect surveys using Manual Bat detectors to assess bat species diversity and flight paths in the study area. Roosting and hibernating sites were also sought.
   
   
4. Herpetofauna studies were conducted through transect surveys.Those that were encountered and locations of permanent shelters were recorded with GPS.
   
   
5. Amphibian occurrence was obtained from two different types of observations:
   a. Identification of species composition and relative number of amphibians at main water bodies, namely: reservoirs, ponds, rivers and streams. Water bodies were visited and specimens of amphibia examined, species identified, and species numbers determined and recorded. Amphibian surveys were conducted at 23 points, where the road could potentially influence surface water.
   b. Night-time transects to record amphibia species migration on the road footprint and vicinity.
   
   
6. Fish were trapped to determine fish species in the study areas. 23 sampling sites within 50-100m of the road were equipped with crayfish device and fishing baskets. Fish were also caught using nets and fishing hooks. Species were determined visually using Pipoyan’s (2021) identification guide.
   
   
7. Flora surveys targeted diversity of higher vascular plants and especially priority plant species. Data collection parcels were demarcated within the core habitat (squares of 100 x 100 meters). Within the sampling squares, all species were identified. Most plants were identified visually at the sampling sites; with plants requiring laboratory identification collected in herbariums and identified later.

1. Aves
   rank: class
2. Reptilia
   rank: class
3. Amphibia
   rank: class
4. Mammalia
   rank: class
5. Plantae
   rank: kingdom
6. Animalia
   rank: kingdom

The road section will directly connect Sisian and Kajaran in Syunik Region, Armenia’s southernmost region.