Publications
The phenomena of the wetland landscapes of the Colchic Lowland (Georgia) and their sustainable development challenges
The Kolchic Rainforests and Wetlands, particularly the Kolkheti wetlands in Georgia, play a pivotal role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting a rich diversity of medicinal plant species. While the establishment of the Kolkheti National Park has significantly improved conservation efforts, surrounding areas remain under pressure from human activities and infrastructure development. This study employs an integrative approach, combining geographical, ecological, economic, and ethnocultural data analysis with field research to assess historical and contemporary agricultural practices, vegetation cover, hydrological conditions, and ecosystem dynamics. The findings underscore the ecological, economic, and cultural importance of these wetlands for sustainable regional development, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive assessment and management strategies using integrative approaches to guide future planning and forecasting.
Macromycetes of Beech Forest in Mtirala National Park, Georgia
A diverse array of macromycetes, including edible mushrooms, wood-decay fungi, mycorrhizal associates, and decomposers, has been identified in the beech forests of Mtirala National Park, Georgia. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands, known for its high humidity and unique fungal community. Notable species such as Hypsizygus tessellatus (Beech Mushroom), Armillaria mellea (Honey Fungus), and mycorrhizal fungi like Ganoderma spp. (Reishi Mushrooms) play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, decomposition, and symbiotic relationships with beech trees. The study highlights the ecological significance of these fungi, emphasizing their contribution to forest health and resilience. Continued research is essential for understanding the functioning of these ecosystems under environmental changes.
Predicting the effect of global warming on the distribution of a polyphagous tree parasite, Orobanche laxissima, based on climatic and ecological data
Global warming is projected to significantly expand the range of Orobanche laxissima, a polyphagous tree parasite affecting 14 species in the Caucasus. Using ecological niche modeling (ENM), researchers found that this parasite could increase its distribution by 30% to 52%, particularly in regions like the Black Sea and northern Turkey, unless extreme climate scenarios (SSP5–8.5) lead to a 21–35% contraction. The study also revealed that O. laxissima's glacial range was 82% smaller than its current range, with precipitation during the driest month being a critical factor for its survival. Monitoring parasite populations could serve as an early indicator of climate change impacts on host trees and unique deciduous forest communities, including UNESCO-listed Colchic rainforests.
Flora and Fauna Conservation in Machakhela National Park Georgia
Machakhela National Park, located near the Turkish border and 30 km from Batumi, serves as a critical refuge for unique biodiversity, particularly temperate rainforests with subtropical characteristics. These ecosystems, rich in tertiary relics such as Colchic boxwood, chestnut, and nut trees, harbor numerous endemic species like Quercus imeretina, Betula medwedewii, and Rhododendron ungernii, which are found nowhere else. The park's diverse topography and climate, influenced by montane barriers trapping sea humidity, have preserved a warm, humid environment since the late Tertiary period, acting as a shelter for hygrophilous relicts during ice ages. While trails are being developed, this recently established park offers unprecedented opportunities to witness its wet beauty and unrivaled biodiversity, including peat bogs and tropical habitats.
Dendroecological analysis of Fagus orientalis temperate rainforest in northern Turkey
An old-growth temperate rainforest in northern Turkey, part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Camili, exhibits characteristics consistent with gap dynamics, a key process shaping forest structure. This conclusion stems from a dendroecological analysis comparing three disturbance detection methods—radial growth averaging (RGA), boundary line method (BLm), and time series approach (TSa)—which revealed that tree growth and forest development are significantly influenced by periodic disturbances. The study, conducted on Fagus orientalis trees, also highlighted the forest's resilience to climate variability while noting that further research is needed to validate these findings across larger plots or through additional ecological investigations, such as seedling recruitment or canopy gap dynamics.
Rainforests at the Margins: Regional Profiles
Colchic rainforests and wetlands, despite not fitting the global temperate rainforest model, exhibit characteristics that qualify them as 'rainforests at the margins.' These regions, including those in the Western Eurasian Caucasus, demonstrate how local climates—particularly fog—create conditions conducive to humidity-dependent vegetation, such as oceanic lichens, even in warmer temperatures typically outside the range of temperate rainforests. The study highlights these areas as outliers, where unique microclimatic factors compensate for broader climatic deviations, challenging conventional definitions and emphasizing the diversity of rainforest ecosystems.
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