Vegetation of Colchis Mires

Abstract

Georgia with the admired Colchis lowland surrounded by the Great and Lesser Caucasus Ranges belongs to critical ecological hotspot region. Because of its climatic and geographic situation the Colchis lowland represents a centre of biodiversity and human activity on the transition of Europe and Asia. The main habitats in the Colchis lowland are the relict Colchis forests, the peatlands, the wetlands, coastal sand zones, river mouths, open fresh and salt water areas. Globally extraordinary habitats in the Colchis lowland are the relict Colchis forests and the percolation bogs only existing here. The Colchis forests are unique ecosystems of characteristic warm-humid broad-leaved deciduous mixed forests with evergreen understory, rich in endemic and relict tertiary species, which are mostly spread on the Colchis lowland and the adjacent foothills of the Lesser Caucasus Range. The main purpose of the work is the study of main habitats of Colchis Lowland and determining the value for biodiversity. The different habitats and their vegetation were studied during the period of 1998-2008. The vegetation mapping with the determination of the cover of the vascular plant and moss species followed the abundance method after DAFOR (D –Dominant, - Abundant, F – Frequent, O-Occasional, R-Rare). On the basis of the research the list of Rare and endangered plant species of Colchis wetlands was revealed. Some of them (5 habitats) has a high value for biodiversity.