Part I

Draft Black Sea Regional Transmission Project ESIA
(Populus nigra) Gray poplar (Populus canescens), Common Sea-buckthorn (Hippophaë
rhamnoides).
The relief of Tetritskaro district is mainly hilly
and mountainous (Figure 4.1-6). Elevations
there range between 1400-1900 meters. The
primary landscapes are to dry and
moderately humid subtropical plains and
foothills, upland steppes, and temperately
humid mountainous forests, including:
Dry steppe plain with shrubbery and
thorns.
Foothills covered by shrubbery and
forests of oak, hornbeam, etc.
Hilly plateau with shrubbery, oak,
thorns and steppe grasses.
Mountain forest of oriental oak, beech
and coniferous (fir, pine) groves.
Figure 4.1-6. Typical view of Tetritskaro region
mountains and foothills
Mountainous steppe-meadows and subalpine meadows with forests and
xerophytes.
In the outskirts of Tetritskaro, the
forests of oak, oak-hornbeam and
beech have medium and high value;
they are continuous in sections and
supports faunal diversity including
endangered species of large mammals
such as the brown bear.
The Tsalka district (Figure 4.1-7) is
characterized by high mountains,
mainly characterized by mountain
steppes and meadows, including:
Figure 4.1-7. Typical view in Tsalka Area
Lava plateau with mountain
steppe vegetation.
Foothills with steppe
meadows.
Mid-mountain zone with mixed forests, mostly beech mixed with oak, hornbeam,
and maple. The forests are mostly found in the valley of the Khrami River.
Subalpine and alpine meadows.
There are several sensitive and high-value habitats along this section of the transmission
corridor. The Bedeni plateau has high mountain meadows of high conservation value that
support abundant floral biodiversity. The areas around the lakes of Cherepanovskoe and
Bedeni are characterized by tussock sedge and aquatic plant communities, including several
rare plants of Georgia, such as Lesser bladderwort (Utricularia minor) and bogbean
(Menyanthes trifoliata). The area around Tsalka reservoir and the nearby villages Shipiaki,
Kariaki and Santa supports middle-density artificial pine forest that are important for soil
protection and water regulation. Finally, the area around villages Kariaki, Shua Kharaba, and
Santa, including the area near Lake Baretskoe, supports mountainous sedge wetlands.
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