I’ve heard that Armenia has a wide variety of landforms, especially due to its high elevation and unique mountainous terrain. Among them, I’d like to ask about Mount Aragats, the highest dormant volcano in Armenia.
From what I’ve researched, Mount Aragats is an ancient volcanic formation, and the surrounding area features striking rock formations, deep canyons, and volcanic plateaus. I’m curious—how has this volcano influenced the daily life, housing, or climate of the surrounding regions?
On a personal note, I’m a Christian, so I became especially curious about how the Armenian Apostolic Church—which shares the same roots—differs from Catholic branches of Christianity today.
If you happen to have any photos of nearby Armenian Apostolic churches, scriptures, or anything related, I’d love to see them!
Since spring is approaching in South Korea these days, the weather is getting warmer. Located in the mid-latitudes, South Korea has four distinct seasons, with each season bringing different weather. Recently, during March and April, the country has been transitioning from winter to spring, so there have been some chilly days as well as days that felt like summer. During this period, there's often a phenomenon called "kkotsamchuwi" (a cold snap in early spring), when cold winds blow even though spring has arrived, so it's important to keep warm by dressing appropriately. As spring sets in, many flowers have started to bloom, but since my school is near the sea and the temperature is still relatively low, not many flowers have blossomed yet.
These days, spring is arriving in South Korea, and the weather is gradually getting warmer. Originally, South Korea is located in the mid-latitudes, so it experiences four distinct seasons, each with its own unique climate. However, in recent years, the boundaries between seasons have been getting more and more blurred. For example, in March and April this year, there were days that were much warmer than average, while on other days, sudden cold snaps like "kkotsamchuwi" (a spring cold spell) hit unexpectedly.
This kind of phenomenon has been intensifying since global warming worsened, and I've started to personally feel the impacts of climate change more clearly. One of the most noticeable changes is that spring and autumn are becoming shorter, while summer and winter are growing longer and more extreme in temperature. Just last year, the summer heat was so intense that it was nearly impossible to live without air conditioning, and in winter, frequent cold waves made life difficult for many people.
Furthermore, as climate change alters our environment, subtropical plants are beginning to grow in South Korea, while many animals and plants that can't survive in high temperatures have died in large numbers.
Experiencing these changes in real life has made me realize just how urgent it is to respond to global warming and the resulting environmental destruction.
Armenia, home to around 3,000 endemic plant species, is actively pursuing and implementing many environmental policies to preserve and protect its unique flora and fauna. These efforts include the establishment of Dilijan National Park, covering over 24,000 hectares of forested land to protect wildlife, as well as the designation of the Khosrov Forest State Reserve, which shelters rare and unique species.
What particularly caught my attention was the Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds and Nature (ASPB). Established to conserve Armenia’s biodiversity, ASPB plays a key role in monitoring and managing endangered species in the country.
Here are my questions:
1) What is the most critically endangered species that Armenia is currently focusing on, and what are the reasons this species has become endangered in Armenia?
2) Armenia has designated many areas as national parks and nature reserves to protect its wildlife. Are these policies genuinely effective in supporting biodiversity, and are there any side effects or unintended consequences?
3) I’ve also learned that Armenia is not only implementing protective policies for wildlife but is also preserving the land where they live. What is the core element of Armenia’s sustainable land use policy, and in what ways does protecting the land contribute to the conservation of biodiversity?
