Հայաստանի թռչունների պահպանման միություն | Page 18

Protecting sites ► OBJECTIVE: Monitor and protect Important Bird Areas In order to conserve Armenia’s birds and other biodiversity, ASPB has adopted BirdLife’ Important Bird Areas (IBAs) Progamme which is a global initiative aimed at identifying and protecting the network of sites critical for survival of the world’s birds. IBAs are identified based on the up-to-date quantitative ornithological criteria and knowledge of bird populations. To date, more than 10,000 IBAs have been identified in nearly 200 countries and territories. After extensive years of field research and data compilation, ASPB has identified a total of 18 IBAs in Armenia. A large proportion of these sites are unprotected, yet they point to ‘key biodiversity areas’ that have not been considered by the existing network of protected areas. The selection of IBAs is an effective way of identifying conservation priorities and in some cases form the backbone of the newly established protected areas in Armenia. Monitoring Important Bird Areas Following the completed identification of Important Bird Areas in Armenia, the big task and challenge for ASPB now is to regularly monitor them, detect and respond to emerging threats and ensure that they are effectively protected. 16 Armenian Siciety for the Protection of Birds