Part I

Draft Black Sea Regional Transmission Project ESIA
4.1.2.1 Overview of the transmission line route
The principle landscapes and ecosystems of the Gardabani district, are dry subtropical and
relatively low zone, which are characteristic of subtropical plains, moderately dry plateaus,
and moderately humid mountainous forests. Among them are landscapes of:
Semi-deserts and dry steppes spread over plains (including Gardabani plain) and
plateaus. They are sparsely covered by xerophytes (plants that can tolerate dry
periods).
Foothills mainly covered by shrubs and sparse woods.
Sparse mountain forests characterized by oak (Quercus spp.), oak-hornbeam
(Quercus- Carpinus), and hornbeam (Carpinus) communities that grow on
hillsides. Also present are beech (Fagus spp.), ash (Fraxinus spp.), maples (Acer
spp.), and other hardwoods. In addition, the Mtkvari valley accommodates
riparian (tugai) forest.
Mountain meadows containing marshes around lakes where grow wetland maple,
lime-tree, and oak with shrub substory.
The easternmost part of the route begins at the edge of Gardabani Managed Reserve in the
floodplain of the Kura River. The Reserve is known for its riparian forests that provides
habitat to many floral and faunal
species with conservation value. As
the line runs west, it passes to semidesert
and arid steppes landscapes,
which at higher elevations
interchange with mountainous-forest
and mountainous meadows, covered
with shrubby, sparse woods and
other arid and semi-arid natural
landscapes.
Most relief around Marneuli is
characterized by higher land at 270-
400 meters above sea level that lies
between the valleys of the Algeti,
Khrami and Debedi Rivers. North of
Figure 4.1-5. Marneuli area
the plain is the Ialguja Range, which
rises to 760 meters. The primary landscapes of the district are related to the dry subtropical
plain and moderately humid mountains (Figure 4.1-5). They are similar to Gardabani and
include:
Dry steppes and semi-deserts formed by a complex of brown and salty soils that
support xerophytes and ephemeral formations.
Foothills covered hornbeams-oak groves and meadow shrubberies, grown over
brown forest soils.
Mountain landscapes presented by hornbeam-oak in lower zone and beech in
upper.
Remnants of riparian (tugai) forest on the river banks.
Sensitive sites that fall within the transmission corridor includes the environs of Kumisi Lake,
with beard-grass steppes rich in biodiversity, and in the vicinity of village Jandari, which has
high-value and high-density natural riparian forests of White willow (Salix alba), Black poplar
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