The assessment and improvement of forest and agroecosystem services to promote ecotourism development (case study of Yenoqavan community, Republic of Armenia)

Abstract

The article, on the base of Yenoqavan community of Tavush region (Republic of Armenia) case study, analyzes and presents the importance of assessing the potential of certain forest and agroecosystem services in order to stimulate the development of ecotourism in the region. According to the results of the research, only the recreational and ecotourism services of community forest ecosystems accounts to 36 million AMD, but in 2019 only 55.6% or 20 million AMD were used from those services. Meanwhile, this value should be integrated in the general system of nature use and economy, aiming to re-direct the financial means for the forest and agro-landscapes improvement and protection. At the same time, the study revealed that unlike the ecotourism, agro-tourism is poorly developed, the main reasons for which are associated with degraded natural grasslands, low yields of arable lands, low productivity of livestock. The treatment means and measures are recommended in the study. The proposed improvement interventions can significantly increase the yield of fields and livestock productivity, also stimulate the development of ecotourism in the community.