Part I

Draft Black Sea Regional Transmission Project ESIA
pulcherrima, Stipa tirsa, Koeleria macrantha, Phleum phleoides. Forbs are represented by
Filipendula hexapetala, Cruciata laevipes, Medicago hemicycla, Thymus rariflorus, etc.
From Bedeni plateau to Ktsia-Tabatskuri Managed Reserve the secondary herbaceous
vegetation comprises communities dominated by Lady's mantle (Alchemilla erythropoda, A.
sericata, A. caucasica, etc), brome (Bromus variegatus), sedge (Carex huetiana, C. humilis,
C. dacica, etc), fescue (Festuca valesiaca, F. woronowii), koeleria (Koeleria cristata, K.
caucasica), mat nardusgrass (Nardus stricta), false hellebore (Veratrum lobelianum),
anemone (Anemone fasciculata), clover (Trifolium), alfalfa (Medicago). The characteristic
plant communities of this zone are described below:
Bedeni plateau, flat mesorelief, 1,600 meters above sea level, coverage is 95
percent meadow with Lady's mantle, koeleria and brome (Brometum koeleriosoalchemilosum)
Vicinity of Tsalka, right bank of river Ktsia, 1,700 meters above sea level, western
exposure, coverage is 90-95 percent grass forb meadow with sedge and Lady's
mantle (Alchemilletum-caricoso-mixtoherbosum)
Vicinity of Tsalka, right bank of river Ktsia, 1,700 meters above sea level, western
exposure, coverage is 85-95 percent grass forb meadow with sedge (Caricetummixtoherboso-
graminosum)
Vicinity of Tsalka, right bank of river Ktsia, subalpine zone, vicinity of
Tikmatasheni pass, northern-eastern exposure, coverage is 95 percent grass forb
meadow with bentgrass (Graminetum-mixtoherbosum)
Mt. Dali Daghi (Tsalka area), northern-eastern slope, coverage is 95 percent,
grass forb subalpine meadow (Graminetum-mixtoherbosum)
Upper reaches of Ktsia river, vicinity of Tabatskuri (Mt. Mtirala), northern
mesoslope, 1,900 m AMSL, coverage is 90 percent forb meadow with koeleria
(Koelerietum-mixtoherbosum)
Northern slope of Mt. Mtirala, coverage is 90 percent grass forb subalpine
meadow with false hellebore (Veratrumetam-graminoso-mixtoherbosum)
Northern shore of Tabatskuri lake, eastern slope, coverage is 95 percent subalpine
grass forb meadow (Latifolio mixtoherbetum -graminosum)
The transmission line corridor route passes in the vicinity of forests only in a few locations
along this section. West of Tsalka forest vegetation is entirely comprised of pine (Pinus
kochiana) plantations (average age 25-30 years).
Javakheti upland was formerly covered by forests, but only minor fragments of these
subalpine forests survive, mostly on northern slopes of high mountainous areas. These
fragments are formed by species typical for Caucasian subalpine forests: Litvinov's birch
(Betula litwinowii), mountain ash (Sorbus caucasigena), goat willow (Salix caprea),
Bieberstein's rock currant (Ribes biebersteinii), alpine currant (Ribes alpinum), in some
areas - European aspen (Populus tremula), etc. Litvinov's birch and mountain ash form
communities over small areas in the rocky relief of the Ktsia lower reaches. Rhododendron
scrub (Rhododendron caucasicum) is frequent in southern Caucasus, but is declining.
The Tsalka area is rich in small lakes of volcanic origin (Bashkoi, Uzungel, Jamushgel,
Khadiki, Karagel, Tba, tec). The shores of the lakes support wetland vegetation associations.
The corridor passes through the Imera, Bareti, Kariaki, Santa environs wetlands, which are
be considered as of high conservation value.
According to K. Kimeridze (1966, 1975) wetland vegetation is of highest significance on the
Javakheti volcanic upland. Tussock sedge (Cariceta) formation communities are found on
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