"We determined the age of trees without causing significant damage," say YSU students after fieldwork in Jrvezh Forest Park

Lena Kalashyan, a third-year student in the "Cartography and Cadastral Work" bachelor's program, has been participating in YSU's practical trainings since her first year. During this latest training, she was particularly interested in the integration of technologies in field research.

"As part of the training, we conducted forest inventory work, including tree counting and determining their age using various tools. For instance, we used a drone to obtain an overall view of the area and applied forestry measurement instruments, particularly an increment borer, which allowed us to extract a thin core sample from the tree and determine its age without causing significant damage, as well as to compile its characteristics," she said. 

Lena emphasized that the experience was highly valuable, as it enabled students to apply theoretical knowledge gained at the university in real-world settings and to become familiar with natural resource inventory processes.

Reflecting on previous field practices, she noted that during their first year, they visited the Yerevan Botanical Garden, where they conducted various measurements. "At the YSU Byurakan Industrial Practice Base, we spent a week analyzing terrain. We visited Amberd, the southern summit of Mount Aragats, and Lake Kari, conducting geomorphological studies and geographical analyses. In the second year, the practice had a different format, including study routes to Garni, Geghard, the Symphony of Stones, Noravank, Lake Sevan, Haghartsin, and Khor Virap, where we performed landscape analyses," she added.

According to Lena, in addition to fieldwork, the university regularly organizes meetings with leading specialists in the field. "Recently, we met with Suren Tovmasyan, Head of the Cadastre Committee. During the meeting, we discussed sector challenges and development prospects. Overall, our academic process is very practice-oriented, with extensive use of modern technologies. Both YSU lecturers and invited experts are highly experienced. All of this significantly contributes to our professional development and ensures a strong connection with the labor market," she said.

Lena explained that she chose her specialization due to her longstanding interest in spatial analysis, map work, and effective land resource management. "Moreover, the field is applied, combining technologies such as GIS and mapping with real-world problem-solving," she stressed.

Gevorg Gevorgyan, also a third-year student in the "Cartography and Cadastral Work" bachelor's program, described the practical work on forest resource assessment in Jrvezh Forest Park, noting that alongside general site analysis, he conducted tree measurements using professional tools.

"To determine the age of trees, I used an increment borer. According to my calculations, the largest tree was a spruce of about 50 years old. It was a very useful and engaging experience, as I was able to acquire practical skills and better understand the applicability of my profession. I would like to participate in such field practices more often," he said.

Gevorg added that his chosen field is in demand both in land resource management and environmental protection. "I believe cadastral studies represent a stable, promising, and consistently relevant field," he concluded. 

The student training was organized within the framework of the "Cadastre and Monitoring of Land and Forest Resources" course, in cooperation with specialists from the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center of the Armenian Ministry of Environment.