Breif Profile

Young scientist studying and working in the field of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management. Since 2013 took part in different research projects in Central Asia related to Sustainable Pasture Management (UPAGES-KYR), Agroforestry Practices (MSRI/UCA and USFS Project) and Forest Management and Biodiversity (SUSWALFOOD Project). Backgrounds in Economic and later in Environmental sciences offers an opportunity to apply an interdisciplinary approach in my studies. My current research as a doctoral candidate at the University of Bonn in cooperation with the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences in Germany focuses on interdisciplinary approach of Socio-Ecological Analysis of the Forest Management Practices within the Walnut-Fruit Forests in Kyrgyzstan, funded by the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation, FIAT Panis Foundation, and is a part of the SUFACHAIN Project funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This research analyses the impact of the ongoing interventions on the forest ecosystems and the socio-economic welfare of the local population by applying the socio-ecological analysis framework and the agent-based modeling (ABM) tool to investigate the gaps and opportunities for the sustainable functioning of the complex socio-ecological system within the walnut forests in Kyrgyzstan.

Summary:

The mountainous walnut-fruit forests in Kyrgyzstan are considered as the global biodiversity hotspot having a global conservation priority (Myers et.al., 2000), and providing significant ecosystem functions to the households with food and cash income (Schmidt, 2005). However an intensive walnut collection, overgrazing, illegal wood logging are believed to be the major factors of forest area decline and degradation (Orozumbekov, 2009). The local NGOs and donor programs introduced the non-timber forest products (NTFP) certification projects of the Fair Trade certification (Bosch and Wolters, 2014) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) NTFP certification (Nepcon, 2018) within the selected pilot communities. However there is a limited understanding of possible future impacts of these certification programs on the local socio-ecological systems. This study applies the ex-ante analysis of the future socio-ecological effects of the NTFP certification using the agent-based simulation approach (Le, 2005; Villamor et.al., 2014). The research analyses the existing literature sources, and field data collection for ex-ante assessment of the impact of the NTFP certification on the local socio-ecological systems within the walnut forests in Kyzyl-Unkur area. The grassroots advocacy activities are also planned as part of the current Global Leadership Program (GLP) program during the field trips in cooperation with the local forest users association, as well as active working with the existing social media platforms. The results of these activities will be presented in scientific publications as part of the ongoing doctoral research, practical workshops on-field, social-media publications and conference proceedings.

Main Objectives of Project:

• Collect and analyse the data to parameterize the socio-ecological model within the conditions of the walnut-fruit forests in Kyrgyzstan (LANDIS II).
• Actively cooperate with the local forest users and involved organisations for data collection, and disseminating information about the local socio-ecological problems in ordert to contribute to their practical resolution.

Main Activities of Project:

• Gather socio-economic data in the selected research area (June-July, 2022) – semi-structured interviews
• Gather the forest inventory data on the selected forest plots (June-July, 2022) – tree diameter & species. Digital data gathering methods (LIDAR and RGB sensors for forest data gathering) will be used on the field in cooperation with the local Forest Users Association (as an activity of training and knowledge dissemination) (June-July, 2022)
• Prepare at least 2 scientific publications as a result of these activities (1st publication until December, 2022 on literature review; 2nd – until April, 2023 to describe the socio-ecological model results; 3rd publication until September, 2023 to describe the hydrological model results)
• Organize participatory validation workshop in summer 2023 (validation of socio-ecological model). The workshop will be organized as a grassroots advocacy and networking event for local forest users (sustainable forest use, carbon credits, forest certification approaches will be promoted in agreement with the local forest users association).
• Prepare minimum 3 blog posts and other related social media publications describing the research project, data gathering activities, and participatory workshop results.

Outline of Prospective Projects:

Project-1

Project-2

Project-3