Vol. 57 No. 3 (261) (2023)

Identification of areas favorable for the localization of ore-bearing rocks is the pathway to reveal new ore fields and deposits. In most cases, not all ore-controlling structures are revealed, often many important elements are hidden, and therefore the structural position of ore taxa of different scales is interpreted incorrectly, which does not contribute to the discovery of similar realms and, accordingly, new ore accumulations. Recognition of weak lineaments and ring structures is of particular importance for elucidating the complete picture of the structural position of the deposit. The studies carried out made it possible to detect cryptostructures, to group ore fields according to their geological and structural locations. It is revealed the industrial deposits of the region are localized in three typical settings that are ring and arc-shaped structures, zones of large disturbances and outside of the ring structures, and zones of big faults and related to the faults of local scale (second–third order). The main part of deposits are related to the first geological and structural type. This type includes the large Teghut porphyry copper deposit as well, but the rest are of medium scale and belong to copper pyrite type (Shamlugh and Alaverdi), pyrite-polymetallic (Akhtala) and gold-polymetallic (Armanis) formation types. Each ring structure contains one industrial object. The only Martsiget ore field is related to the zone of the large Martsiget-Lalvar fault where three small allocations have been identified containing a small amount of gold and polymetallic ore reserves in all. Small chalcopyrite-type deposits of the Aghvi, Archut, and Mghart, in which the main value represent the gold reserves, are confined to local-scale faults. The identified pattern of localization of industrial ore accumulations made it possible to allocate new favorable ore formations, which are allocated in the southern part of the region and related to the ring structures located in the Pushkino-Acharkut fault zone. A predictive assessment of the expected ore accumulations is given. The use of the information obtained should have a positive impact on the effectiveness of geological explorations.

The main goal of this article is to develop methodological approaches and assess the seismic risk of the infrastructure of the territory of Armenia. The risk is assessed taking into account: seismic hazard, structural features of the infrastructure lines (high-voltage power supply lines, high-pressure gas supply pipelines, main water pipelines, railways and highways, telecommunication cables) and the impact factors of the strong earthquake. These influencing factors are conditionally divided by genesis into two groups: direct and secondary (indirect). Direct factors are formed as a result of only ground vibrations of a certain strength (in the territory of Armenia with an intensity of 9–10 points on the EMS-98 scale), regardless of local geological and geomorphological conditions. Secondary factors are activated or formed as a result of seismic vibrations (not necessarily strong) of the ground, but in territories where dangerous seismic-gravitational geological phenomena are developed (landslides, collapses, rockfalls, etc.) and where there are certain favorable conditions for the movement of rocks masses along the slope. In the second case, an earthquake can serve as a "trigger" for their activation or formation. These factors include faults and ruptures, landslides, collapses, rockfalls, liquefaction etc. When assessing the vulnerability of the infrastructure line, particular attention is paid to regional faults, surface ruptures, landslides and collapses, which are widespread in the territory of Armenia and significantly damage both surface and underground infrastructure lines. When assessing the seismic vulnerability of an infrastructure line, the leading place is given to statistical data on damage to main lines depending on the intensity of the 1988 Spitak earthquake. As a result of the research, new elements of methodological approaches were developed and, on their basis, the first seismic risk map of the infrastructure of the territory of Armenia was compiled.

New data on the results of field mapping and laboratory analyses of loose formations in the northeastern part of the Tavush Region are presented. The main attention is paid to dense, microporous, light yellow, dusty, and mostly without inclusions of stone material, usually structureless sandy loams, loams, clays, and diatomites with a total thickness of up to 25–30 m, widely distributed in the lower reaches of the Varagajur, Tavush and Khndzorut River basins. They lie on different forms of relief, overlap the alluvium of the second and third terraces, ancient removal cones, bedrocks, can be traced high up the slopes to an absolute height of 1400–1500 m, and resemble loess-like loam in appearance. They are taken by us for lake-dam deposits treated by the processes of hypergenesis. These deposits are characterized by increased carbonate content (up to 8.02–10.58%), they contain new formations in the form of carbonate aggregates with a diameter of 2–3 cm to 10 cm and contain shells of foraminifera, characteristic of limestone common here. Of the modern species, there is Napaeopsis hohenackeci, widespread throughout the Transcaucasia and characteristic of arid conditions. The physicomechanical properties, chemical composition, and geochemical coefficients of loess-like loams, as well as ancient weathering crust formed on limestones in the same area are considered. In the granulometric spectrum of loams and clays of loess-like formations, the highest content falls on a fraction of 0.05–0.01 mm (38.96 and 31.69%), and in clays of weathering crust – on a fraction < 0.005 mm (46.93%). Weathering crust clays are also distinguished by their greater plasticity – the number of their plasticity is 23.1. The weathering crust contains more slow-moving oxides (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃) and less CaCO₃ than loess-like loams. The higher CaCO₃ content in loess-like loams confirms their transformation under arid conditions with the corresponding accumulation of calcium carbonate. The differences in the conditions of formation of the considered loose formations by the ratio of chemical components – their geochemical coefficients are also revealed. Low values of the coefficients Al₂O₃/TiO₂, CaO/MgO, (CaO+Na₂O+K₂O)/Al₂O₃ in the clays of the weathering crust indicate their greater weathering than loess-like loams. At the same time, weathering crust clays are characterized by higher oxidetion coefficients of Fe₂O₃/FeO, decomposition of Fe₂O₃/MgO, and hydration of H₂O–/(MgO+CaO+Na₂O+K₂O). They also contain more rare (R=La+Y+Yb+Nb+Ta), small petrogenic (S=Be+Li+B+Rb), and metallic elements (M=Cu+Pb+Zn). It is noted that the geochemical coefficients of loose accumulations make it possible to identify the climatic conditions of their formation.

In recent decades, negative socio-economic and demographic tendencies have been observed in mountainous countries, especially in rural areas. The analysis of contemporary tendencies in demographic processes, namely – changes in the absolute number and natural growth of rural population, average density and age structure of the rural population in Armenia are given in the article. The most urgent problems connected with ongoing demographic processes have been identified and possible solutions have been indicated. The data published by the Statistical Committee of the RA for different years by regions and territories regarding de jure rural population, age structure, birth rate and mortality rate of villages in 37 districts of the country were used as base data. During 2001–2023 the absolute number of rural population of the RA decreased by 65.6 thousand or 5.7%. Among other factors, the reduction of the rural population was also resulted by negative migration saldo and negative trends in the demographic processes of the rural population. The reduction of rural population in the country was reflected in the growth of gross agricultural production. The reason for the latter is also the incomplete and partial use of tens of thousands of hectares of pastures and other agricultural lands due to the shortage of labor force, since the RA still has a low level of intensification. As of 2022, only 212.4 out of 443.4 thousand ha of plowed land or 47.9% were used. The rate of villages with population of up to 200 inhabitants increased by 1.8% (from 16.1 to 17.9%). The number of demographically more vulnerable villages with population of up to 500 inhabitants increased by 30, or by 9.5%. Natural growth rate of the rural population in 2021 compared to 2010 decreased by 3.1‰. During 2001–2022 the proportion of the rural population younger than working age decreased by 8.6%, and in absolute terms it made up 112.7 thousand people in the country. Due to the emerging unfavorable demographic processes, problems have arisen that impede the socio-economic development of rural areas of the Republic of Armenia. The outcomes can be used by the state and local level bodies for developing social and economic development programs of individual regions, municipalities, rural areas and settlements.

Heritage and Culture-based Experiential Tourism (HCBET) development in the RA is discussed in this article, as well as its background, current situation, sectoral and territorial structure, and factors contributing to its development. This article identifies the major needs of this tourism and possible directions for development based on expert surveys and case studies of similar tourism companies. The article answers the following questions: what are the drivers of heritage and culture-based experiential tourism in the RA, and are there any specific needs that make this approach viable for sustainable tourism development in the RA? Culture tourism in Armenia can be traced back to the 1960s when Armenians living abroad visited their homeland to re-experience, enjoy, and interpret it. The visits consisted mainly of cognitive excursions to tangible historical and cultural monuments. Upon independence, the same image was preserved in the RA, but in recent decades, the country has started using its intangible cultural heritage for touristic purposes, laying the foundation for the development of HCBET. Based on the research, the following conclusions can be drawn: a) as a result of the investment programs of international organizations, HCBET is already developing in the RA; b) HCBET has developed mainly in the regions, especially in rural communities in the RA; c) a major component of HCBET is based on Armenian cuisine, arts, and crafts; d) HCBET does not yet have a widespread perception or interpretation in the RA; e) The RA has almost no public-private-educational/ scientific cooperation in HCBET; f) Several problems hinder the development of HCBET, including service quality problems in enterprises, low qualification of human resources, imperfect legal regulations (within the framework of standardization-licensing), low or no cooperation between enterprises, and the lack of inclusion of these tourism offers in tour packages offered by tour operators; g) There is a lack of educational programs on HCBET in the universities of the RA; h) people involved in HCBET need specialized training; i) Marketing strategies for HCBET companies need to be improved.

On August 29, 2023, at Yerevan State University, in off-line and online format, an international scientific and practical conference was held on the topic "Problems and prospects for the development of the environment, hydrometeorology in semi-mountainous and mountainous countries". The purpose of the conference was to discuss, highlight and clarify the main problems, patterns of development and prospects in the field of hydrometeorology, to assess its role in solving the socio-economic problems of the region. The conference was held within the framework of the scientific project of the Scientific Committee of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia (MоESCS) "Water-ecological assessment of the characteristics of the flow of rivers flowing into Lake Sevan during winter low water" carried out by "Armhydromet" of the Ministry of Environment and joint project “Short-term probabilistic forecast of river flow during spring floods” within the framework of the international competition Scientific Committee of the RA MoESCS and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research to support joint scientific research programs. The conference was organized jointly with the Faculty of Geography and Geology of Yerevan State University, St. Petersburg Hydrometeorological University, Faculty of Geography of Moscow State University, All-Russian Research Institute of Civil Defense and Emergency Situations (Federal Center for Science and High Technologies) of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation. During the conference, many reports were presented on current problems of hydrometeorology and ways to solve them. The speeches were given by: H. Hovhanesyan – Rector of Yerevan State University, L. Azizyan – Director of the SNCO "Armhydromet", E. Gajdukova – Associate Professor of the Department of Engineering Hydrology of the Russian State University of Hydrometeorology (RSUH), M. Bedilo – Director of the All-Russian Research Institute of Civil Defense and Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation (Federal Center of Science and High Technologies), Sh. Khachatryan – acting dean of the Faculty of Geography and Geology of the YSU. Levon Azizyan, director of the SNCO "Armhydromet", expressed special gratitude to the RSUH, represented by E. Gaidukova, and the MSU named after M.V. Lomonosov, represented by N. Frolova (scientific director of the project) for their contribution to organize the conference, participation, support and cooperation in the implementation of scientific topics, as well as other organizations supporting the conference, including YSU represented by the rector H. Hovhanesyan and the acting dean of the Faculty of Geography and Geology Sh. Khachatryan for overall support. The conference was attended by representatives of the Russian State University of Hydrometeorology, Belarusian State University, National University named after. V. Karazin of Kharkov, MSU named after M.V. Lomonosov, Gorno-Altai State University, Yugra State University, SNCO “Armhydromet”, Brest State Technical University, All-Russian Research Institute of Civil Defense and Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, Tomsk National Research State University, Yerevan State University, National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Institute of Geological Sciences of the NAS RF, Center for Ecological and Noosphere Research, Scientific Center for Zoology and Hydroecology, Institute of Geological Sciences of the NAS RA, Yerevan State Pedagogical University named after Kh. Abovyan, German Organization for International Cooperation, UN Development Programme, Environmental Protection Department of Yerevan municipality, Cadastre Committee. All participants were awarded certificates.

Under the conditions of climate change, efficient use and protection of natural water resources are one of the key challenges in water resources management. Armenia is one of the countries where the climate changes in recent decades are evident. Historical records of air temperature in Armenia indicate a significant upward trend over the past decades. The results of assessment of climate change impact on water resources quantity and quality for the rivers in Armenia are presented in this paper. The projections and discussion of climate change impact on natural river flow were done using various methods and models. It was revealed, that adequate adaptation measures need to be developed and embedded into the national and regional water strategies and basin management plans to address the adverse impacts of climate change in water resources in Armenia.

The EAEU Treaty is the main regulatory legal act regulating the relations of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (hereinafter referred to as the EAEU). The treaty presents certain elements of environmental regulation of relations between the countries. The assessment of the degree of interaction of the Russian Federation with the EAEU countries in the field of cross-border nature management indicates the need for a systematic approach in the organization of natural resources management. Despite significant progress in solving a number of problems in the EAEU countries, the creation of a new format of interstate interaction should intensify the development of integrated strategies to achieve sustainable environmental management in cross-border territories.

The paper presents spatial and temporal changes and the current situation of forests in the Lake Sevan basin. The general physico-geographic characteristics of the Sevan basin, the detailed characteristics of the forests in the Sevan lake basin, the natural and anthropogenic changes are presented, and an analysis of the cause and effect relationships of these changes is carried out. The changes in the forest cover and the negative aquatic biological processes that appeared in the lake’s ecosystem as a result of the program of cutting down the water-covered and subject to water-covering forests in the Sevan Lake basin, implemented since 2005, were analyzed. The necessity of increasing forest cover, preventing negative aquatic biological processes in the lake ecosystem and restoring ecological balance through the creation of new forest belts in the lake basin is substantiated. A number of practical proposals are presented to restore the ecological balance of the lake, to prevent negative aquatic biological processes in the lake's ecosystem: afforestation of sloping slopes and erosion-prone areas, strengthening of coastal protection measures, etc. Research is needed to determine the optimal level of the lake in the future, taking into account the changing ecological conditions in the lake basin.

In June 2021, the RA experienced an unprecedented high temperature for 1961–1990 – 4.2℃ above normal (13.4℃). The recorded rainfall (71 mm) was significantly below normal (27%). The article presents maps of precipitation distribution in the territory of the Republic of Armenia in June, a comparison of satellite data and station data, as well as maps that show drought conditions.

Fish farming in Armenia leads to the introduction of alien fish species such as Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) and Stone moroko (Pseudorasbora parva). Given their rapid spread throughout Armenia, it became necessary to investigate their spatio-temporal distribution patterns to develop some monitoring tools and conservation strategies for the stocks of native species. Thus, we created a comprehensive database through literature reviews, structured interviews with scientists, and open-source data. Our analysis revealed an increasing frequency of records as ichthyological studies intensified. These invasive species are now encountered in nearly all regions of Armenia, with altitude being the only limiting factor, probably due to water temperature.

The article discusses the issues of climate comfort assessment in mountainous terrain, the complexity of which requires a spatio-temporal study. Vayots Dzor, which is a typical mountainous area, is chosen as an example in the article. Here there is the necessary variety of interrelated climatic conditions, the level of importance, which together make Vayots Dzor a typical object of geoecological research. Such research is not only of scientific and methodological interest and is useful for the study of climate comfort in other mountain areas, but also with its practical orientation can contribute to the scientific understanding and solution of the spatial planning problem of Vayots Dzor. The aim of the study is to develop a methodology and methodological approaches for the geoecological integral assessment of the climatic comfort of the Vayots Dzor area, based on the measurability and analysis of the bioclimatic component of its natural resources potential, using integral bioclimatic indicators. The article presents the results of the calculation and analysis of the spatial-temporal distribution of bioclimatic resources of Vayots Dzor. Equivalent effective temperature, radiative equivalent effective temperature, discomfort coefficient and weather severity were used as the main bio-climatic indices. As a result of the study, some features of the climatic conditions of the area during the last decades were revealed, climatic comfort zones and their territorial distribution in different periods of the year were distinguished. It was found that the distribution of calculated bioclimatic resources in the Vayots Dzor area has significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity, and is also characterized by the formation of small areas, which are caused by local atmospheric circulation processes.

The article summarizes the results of research on the aesthetic assessment of water and recreational resources in the Aragatsotn Region of the Republic of Armenia with the aim of restoring the health and working capacity of the population, organizing tourist and recreational events․

The article discusses various methods for predicting the maximum flow of mountain rivers. Analysis and testing of techniques based on multivariate regression analysis and mathematical modeling were carried out, and a graphic-analytical approach was also used. For multivariate regression analysis, various predictors taken for the period of spring flood and for the previous winter period were considered. Some of the considered predictors were further selected as potential ones. The mathematical modeling method is based on modeling the processes of formation of snow reserves and water yield, as well as the formation of maximum flow. The graphic-analytical approach includes the construction of complex graphs that make it possible to visualize the patterns and trends of the characteristics under study. The basins of River Samur and River Andi Koysu were selected as objects for testing the approaches under study. Weather stations with a representative series of observations of meteorological characteristics were selected in the catchments of the listed rivers. The results of the study were mixed: the method of multivariate regression analysis made it possible to select predictors that give a satisfactory forecast only on dependent material; as a result of using a dynamic model of runoff formation, model parameters for flood months were obtained and optimized – testing for the feasibility of a separate forecast and the reliability of the methodology showed that both methods are more than 60% effective.

The paper provides a study of the peak runoff of some northern rivers of the Northwestern Federal District of Russian Federation in the present context. It demonstrates that the observed climatic variations are not reflected in the peak runoff of the rivers within the studied area. Distribution parameters are calculated for peak discharges; value plots required for hydrological study of unexplored rivers of territory are compiled.

In the article the methodology for calculating the maximum water levels of unexplored lakes is considered, based on the generalization of all available information on the regime of the lakes of the studied area. Recommendations are given for calculating the parameters of the distribution of the maximum levels of unexplored lakes in the North-West of the Russian Federation and the southern part of the Kola Peninsula.

The results of using drones to perform hydrometric work are presented, for example: channel reconnaissance, assessment of channel processes, and measurement of flow velocities. The active use of drones in such areas as construction, geological and geodetic surveys suggests the prospects of introducing new equipment into hydrological field work.

Approaches to the need to adjust the hydrological zoning of the territory of Belarus are analyzed. The methods and history of the development of hydrological zoning of the territory of the USSR and Belarus, the patterns of spatial distribution and runoff variability, and the scientific substantiation of runoff in different regions are considered. A variant of hydrological zoning based on basin, landscape and hydrological principles is proposed.

The possibility of attracting hydrometeorology students through the Student Scientific Society into the research and educational activities of the Russian State Hydrometeorological University is being considered. The activities of the divisions of the student society are analyzed and their long-term plans for development are noted. Current challenges facing the student scientific society have been identified.

The article proposes an option for conducting screening studies of the degree of anthropogenic impact on the geosystems of mountainous areas. To qualitatively assess the degree of environmental destabilization under the influence of intensified economic activity, it is necessary to determine which criteria are more appropriate to choose for a particular territory. In addition, screening studies suggest that these criteria must be categorized as accessible. Based on the specifics of the study area, indicators of recreational load, water quality and the share of agricultural land were taken into account for the Central and South-Eastern Regions.

A network of carbon polygons has been established in Russia to study the emission and uptake of greenhouse gases in natural ecosystems and to develop technological solutions to control the fluxes of greenhouse gases in natural ecosystems with the aim of reducing their emission and increasing their uptake from the atmosphere. The pilot project is an important part of the low-carbon development strategy to decarbonize the Russian economy, adapt the economy to the global energy transition, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality in Russia by 2060. To achieve these goals, the pilot project uses an integrated approach that includes ground-based measurements of carbon balance and greenhouse gas fluxes, remote sensing data, and mathematical modeling methods. To provide observations of greenhouse gas fluxes, a wide range of experimental methods for direct and indirect measurements of greenhouse gas fluxes will be used. Direct field flux measurements include eddy covariance and chamber methods. Carbon polygons for monitoring greenhouse gas fluxes are planned to be distributed in the most representative natural terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, allowing to assess the spatial and temporal variability of greenhouse gas emission and uptake. The territory of Armenia is a unique region in terms of diversity of climatic conditions and landscapes. The development of a system for monitoring greenhouse gas fluxes can serve as a guarantee of obtaining representative data on the emission and absorption of greenhouse gases by natural ecosystems, with the perspective of Armenia achieving carbon neutrality in the coming decades.

Water surface temperature is an important factor influencing the ecological state of the lake. Remote sensing techniques are an important tool for obtaining lake surface water temperature, which provides periodic information from the entire surface of the lake. The aim of this study is to analyze the spatiotemporal change of Lake Sevan surface water temperature based on remote sensing data and to analyze the relationship between the surface temperature of the lake water and the air temperature of the lake basin. The results confirm the relationship between the water surface temperature of Lake Sevan and the air temperature in the lake basin. Under conditions of reliability p<0.01, the following correlation results were obtained: between average ten-day water surface temperatures and ten-day air temperatures with coefficient r=0.929, between average monthly water surface temperatures and monthly maximum air temperatures with coefficient r=0.918, between the monthly maximum water surface temperature and the monthly maximum air temperature with a coefficient of r=0.961. Analysis of remote sensing data shows both patterns and anomalous behavior of lake surface water temperature.

The optimal development strategy for the socio-economic development of Ukraine needs research of specific linkages between natural and socio-economic formations, as well as the research of large-scale and deep-seated violations of the functions of the natural landscapes and their constituents. This also applies to the most resistant to the negative impact of human activity component of the biosphere – the atmosphere and its climatic constituent.

The article deals with the issues of anthropogenic spatial-temporal changes in the forest cover of Tavush Region. In particular the case of Ijevan Forest enterprise is presented, the negative consequences of deforestation were identified and studied through the following indicators: changes in the forest area and species composition of the forest, fragmentation of the forest massives and changes in the forest boundary-lines, dynamics of landslides and mud-flows.

September 2023 marks the 55th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Geomorphology of the Faculty of Geography of YSU.