Shirak State University

The article explores the collecting of folklore intangible heritage of the Shirak region. The authors have studied the historical processes of traditionality, mutual influences, formation and application of orally transmitted folklore genres among the present-day population of Shirak. According to Alan Dundes's approach of viewing folklore as a mirror of culture, the folkloric materials from Shirak are not only artistic expressions but also symbols of cultural identity (Dundes & Bronner 2007). Over the course of more than a century, diverse folklore materials have been recorded, published and studied in the Shirak region, with a significant portion of the original works being preserved in the archives of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of NAS RA. The folklore heritage of Shirak encompasses the centuries-old history of the region, the movements of the local population, traditional practices, original ideas and accumulated knowledge. It reflects the process of formation of human society, and within this folklore heritage one can find remnants of forgotten fragments of mythology, customs and beliefs, providing an opportunity to observe the historical and cultural journey of the present-day population of the Shirak region, along with their spiritual and material achievements and losses in various expressions of the epic folklore. The analysis of the study was primarily carried out by historical-comparative, historical-geographical, and anthropological methods.

The riddle constitutes one of the most vibrant and enduring genres within the folklore tradition of the Shirak region. As in other folklore genres, riddles also contain structural elements that are rooted in formulaic patterns and archetypal modes of thinking. This article examines the semantic and thematic features of riddles, with particular emphasis on examples recorded in Shirak.

This study examines the impact of natural and anthropogenic factors on the agrochemical properties of Cambisol soils in the North-Eastern cadastral district of the Republic of Armenia through a combination of field surveys and laboratory analyses. The results indicate that long-term unregulated agricultural use of Cambisols in the Bazum community, together with gradual climate warming and reduced precipitation, has led to a substantial decline in soil fertility and significant alterations in soil quality indicators. Over the past sixty years, the total humus content in the arable horizon of virgin lands has increased due to the natural accumulation of organic matter, whereas in cultivated lands, it has declined. In cultivated soils, reductions were observed in absorbed soil-exchangeable alkaline earth metals (Ca, Mg), as well as in available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P₂O₅), and potassium (K₂O). These changes have contributed to increased erosion and the degradation of the soil cover. To mitigate these adverse effects, the study recommends the implementation of a scientifically justified system of agrotechnical measures.

The 21st century is marked by the rapid development of science and technology, clearly demonstrated by the unprecedented growth of artificial intelligence and machine learning in recent years. Within the framework of geographical science, geographic information systems (GIS) occupy a particularly important place, as they represent a synthesis of geography and modern information technologies. By offering extensive opportunities for the collection, analysis, and visualization of spatial data, GIS significantly expand the methodological toolkit of geography and support data-driven spatial thinking. At the same time, these technologies create favorable conditions for the integration of information technologies into public schools' education, enabling geography to be taught and perceived from a fundamentally new perspective. Based on the results of international research and contemporary educational practices, this article examines the current state of GIS education in public schools in the Republic of Armenia. Attention is given to identifying the main challenges related to the implementation of GIS in the school curriculum, including teachers' preparedness, technical and infrastructural limitations, and the content-related characteristics of existing educational materials. The study emphasizes the need for a systematic approach to GIS integration in secondary education and highlights the potential role of web-based GIS solutions in overcoming existing barriers.

The identification of the parthenogenetic Uzzell's lizard, Darevskia uzzelli (Darevsky & Danielyan, 1977), in Armenia represents the first record of this species in the country. Before this discovery, D. uzzelli was considered an endangered species endemic to a small region of northeastern Türkiye. Genetic and morphological analyses have confirmed that the Armenian lizards are indeed D. uzzelli, consistent with specimens from Türkiye. Morphological and genetic data also firmly discriminate D. uzzelli from the closely related parthenogenetic species D. unisexualis. Our results reveal significant morphological variation in this parthenogen among populations. Notably, the sympatric area in Armenia where D. uzzelli has been identified is unique for hosting the richest known assemblage of parthenogenetic lizards. Here, D. uzzelli coexists with three other parthenogenetic species already known to inhabit the region: D. unisexualis, D. armeniaca, and D. dahli. This exceptional population requires continuous study and protection due to its high scientific value.