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Draft Black Sea Regional Transmission Project ESIA The sibbaldia formation is most pronounced on the Trialeti range: massifs of Mts. Chareli, Tskhratskaro and Sakvelo. It is fragmentarily distributed in degraded and eroded habitats throughout this section of the corridor. Due to strong root system, sibbaldia has a special role in prevention of erosive processes in the high mountains. Subalpine broad-leaved forb meadows are found in the northwestern parts of Mts.Tavkvetili and Sakvelo. They are fragmentarily distributed in complexes of volcanogenic boulders and skeleton substrate at 2100 to 2400 meters above sea level, usually on the western and northern exposures and develop on downhill (25-35°) as well as undulating and concave relief forms. 4.1.6.4.2 Terrestrial habitats Terrestrial habitats are widespread on the territory of the Ktsia-Tabatskuri reserve. The following terrestrial habitats are found on the study area: meadows/grasslands and mountain steppes; shrubbery; and forest. In addition to the above habitat types, subalpine tall herbaceous vegetation, volcanogenic boulders and scree and man-made habitats are found in the Ktsia-Tabatskuri reserve; however, they have no landscape value and are represented only by isolated fragments. For the purposes of Ktsia-Tabatskuri reserve management planning only those habitats are objects of studies that cover more or less large areas on the study area and/or have high conservation value. 4.1.6.4.3 Mountain steppes Mountain steppes occur in fragments in this section, mainly on the south- and east-facing micro-relief forms, on downhill and rocky ecotopes, soil weathering crust and complexes of volcanogenic boulders. Volga fescue (Festuca valesiaca) is the dominant species. Feather grass (Stipa), which is the edificator of the mountain steppe in the southern part of the Javakheti upland, does not occur here. Fragments comprising Volga fescue can be found on slopes of Mts. Tavkvetili and Shavnabada and east of Tabatskuri Lake, at 2200 to 2600 meters, on complex relief forms and frequently inaccessible exposed rocks. Volga fescue mountain steppe has insignificant distribution in this section of the corridor. 4.1.6.4.4 Shrub communities Caucasian rhododendron communities are found on north- and west-facing slopes of Mt. Tavkvetili as well as the plateau of this mountain (in a complex of volcanic basalt “avalanches” on relatively smooth relief forms) and Trialeti range, Mt. Sakvelo massif, and sources of the left tributary of the river Ktsia. The community occupies a comparatively small area on the right bank of the river Ktsia, on a slope of Mt. Shuana Mta. Caucasian rhododendron communities are usually formed on the northern and northwestern exposures between 2200 and 2400 meters, on undulating meso-relief. Rowan-birch communities with a Caucasian rhododendron sub-layer form complexes with pure Caucasian rhododendron communities over large areas. Pure Caucasian rhododendron communities with floristic composition similar to the above occur on relatively large areas. Cowberry communities occupy large areas, in complex with Caucasian rhododendron communities as well as independently. Cowberry forms cenoses principally with lady’s mantle (Alchemilla erythropoda) and mosses on north-facing slopes between 2200 and 2500 meters, mainly on smooth relief forms (inclination 20-30°). Within this section of the corridor, cowberry communities are pronounced on massifs of Mts. Tavkvetili and Sakvelo as well as 66
Draft Black Sea Regional Transmission Project ESIA the north-facing slope of Mt. Shuana Mta. Cowberry fruitage is robust, yielding a rich harvest of berries. Other shrub communities are also fragmentarily distributed on volcanogenic boulders and skeleton scree. The communities are mostly xerophytic and comprise different floristic components such as wayfaring-tree (Viburnum lantana), Georgian barberry (Berberis iberica), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), dog-rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia), mountain currant (Ribes alpinum), juniper (Juniperus hemisphaerica), wild cherry (Cerasus avium), bridewort (Spiraea hypericifolia), honeysuckle (Lonicera caucasica), etc. 4.1.6.4.5 Forest ecosystem Fragments of the subalpine forest vegetation still survive in this area, and they be regarded as remnants of forests once widespread in the southern mountainous region of Georgia. As a result, they are considered to be of high conservation value. Subalpine crooked beech forests occur at the sources of river Ktsia and on the north-facing slope of Mt. Tavkvetili. It borders onto volcanic boulders and Caucasian rhododendron communities. Tall herbaceous vegetation that grows at the forest edges include Inula orientalis, Veratrum lobelianum, Vicia balansae, Heracleum asperum, Chamerion angustifolium, Aconitum orientale, Symphytum caucasicum, Polygonum carneum, Rumex alpinus, etc. High mountainous oak forests are found in three stands in this section. A field survey conducted for this ESIA found for the first time that regeneration of oak is satisfactory (saplings as well as seedlings were found) between Tabatskuri Lake and Mt. Tavkvetili, in the complex of volcanic boulders, at 2100 meters above sea level. The species is included in the Red List of Georgia and all three fragmentary habitats of the oak forest have a high conservation value. Fragments of the subalpine forest can also be found on the southern side of Tabatskuri Lake and the slope of Mt. Shavnabada. The forests mainly comprise high mountain maple (Acer trautvetteri), sallow (Salix caprea), birch (Betula litwinowii) and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) with understorey formed by currant (Ribes biebersteinii), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), wayfaring-tree (Viburnum lantana), wild cherry (Cerasus avium), etc. A large poplar stand occurs (80 X 20 meters) in the surroundings of the Bezhano swamp, on southwestern exposure of the elevated terrain. Regeneration was observed to be satisfactory, with seedlings of different age present. 4.1.6.4.6 Wetand vegetation 5 Hyper-humid landscapes comprised of mosaic plant communities are widespread on the territory of Ktsia-Tabatskuri Managed Reserve. They are mostly associated with Tabatskuri Lake and Ktsia-Nariani hydrographic system. The Northern and northwestern sides of Tabatskuri Lake are swamp: the wetland ecosystem occupies a large area between dry land and lakeside dune. Pure communities of Equisetum heleocharis as well as Caricetum vesicariae purum are formed within the shoreline of the wetland ecosystem. The species that constitute the communities include Alisma plantagoaquatica, Heleocharis eupalustris, Utricularia vulgaris, Scolochloa festucacea, Lemna trisulca, Potamogeton heterophyllus, etc. 5 Wetland vegetation survey is based on unpublished data of Dr. Kukuri Kimeridze, late Georgian botanist, outstanding expert in the wetland flora and vegetation, the data were kindly provided by his daughter Dr. Mariam Kimeridze, Candidate of Biology. 67
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Part I

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