Vegetation of Colchis Mires

Izolda Matchutadze¹, Tamar Bakuradze^{2, *}, Tamar Tcheishvil³, Bulbuli Bolkvadze⁴

¹Department of Kolkheti Mire and Water Ecosystem Conservation Department, Institute of Phytopathology and Biology, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Batumi, Georgia

²Environmental Specialist, Environmental Division of GIS & Remote Sensing Consulting Center "GeoGraphic", Tbilisi, Georgia

³Department of Ecology, Tsereteli State University, Kutaisi, Georgia

⁴Department of Biology, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Batumi, Georgia

Email address:

(I. Matchutadze)

(T. Bakuradze)

(T. Tcheishvili)

(B. Bolkvadze)

To cite this article:

Izolda Matchutadze, Tamar Bakuradze, Tamar Tcheishvil, Bulbuli Bolkvadze. Vegetation of Colchis Mires. Earth Sciences. Special Issue: Modern Problems of Geography and Anthropology. Vol. 4, No. 5-1, 2015, pp. 73-78. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.s.2015040501.23

Abstract: Georgia with the admired Colchis lowland surrounded by the Great and Lesser Caucasus Ranges belongs to critical ecological hotspot region. Because of its climatic and geographic situation the Colchis lowland represents a centre of biodiversity and human activity on the transition of Europe and Asia. The main habitats in the Colchis lowland are the relict Colchis forests, the peatlands, the wetlands, coastal sand zones, river mouths, open fresh and salt water areas. Globally extraordinary habitats in the Colchis lowland are the relict Colchis forests and the percolation bogs only existing here. The Colchis forests are unique ecosystems of characteristic warm-humid broad-leaved deciduous mixed forests with evergreen understory, rich in endemic and relict tertiary species, which are mostly spread on the Colchis lowland and the adjacent foothills of the Lesser Caucasus Range. The main purpose of the work is the study of main habitats of Colchis Lowland and determining the value for biodiversity. The different habitats and their vegetation were studied during the period of 1998-2008. The vegetation mapping with the determination of the cover of the vascular plant and moss species followed the abundance method after DAFOR (D –Dominant, - Abundant, F – Frequent, O-Occasional, R-Rare). On the basis of the research the list of Rare and endangered plant species of Colchis wetlands was revealed. Some of them (5 habitats) has a high value for biodiversity.

Keywords: Colchis Mires, Peatlands, Rare and Endangered Plant Species, Value for Biodiversity

1. Introduction

There are 34 critical hotspots of biodiversity in the world (Conservation International). The Caucasus hotspot, which spans 532,658 km² is one of them. Consequently, Georgia with the admired Colchis lowland surrounded by the Great and Lesser Caucasus Ranges belongs to this hotspot region. Because of its climatic and geographic situation the Colchis lowland represents a centre of biodiversity and human activity on the transition of Europe and Asia. The main habitats in the Colchis lowland are the relict Colchis forests, the peatlands, the wetlands, coastal sand zones, river mouths, open fresh and salt water areas.

Here are located the Colchis National Park. It lies on a coastal plain on the Black Sea, between the mouths of the Rivers of Tikori and Supsa. It covers an area of 28.940 hectares. The natural conditions has resulted in a rich biodiversity of flora, represented by the coastal marshes and swamped forests, the deciduous wetland forest.

In recent years the ecosystems of Colchis are changed under the influence of the anthropogenic factor. The solution of this problem is possible only by means of mutually-comparison and time-spatial analysis the territory. Such researches should become a basis of sustainable use of natural resources and territorial planning.

The main purpose of the work is the study of main habitats of Colchis Lowland and determining the value for biodiversity.

2. Methods of Floristically Investigations

The different habitats and their vegetation were studied during the period of 1998-2008. The research is based on the field work materials, also the data amassed in different scientific sources. These materials represent a description of vegetation peculiarities of different ecosystems of Colchis lowland, especially the mires.

The vegetation mapping with the determination of the cover of the vascular plant and moss species followed the abundance method after DAFOR (D –Dominant, - Abundant, F – Frequent, O-Occasional, R-Rare).

3. Study Area

During the last Glacial Maximum, Colchis lowland constituted an important refuge for the flora of the Europe [Tarasov et.al.2000], where many plant species have preserved that used to be wide-spread in Europe before and disappeared. For example the Colchis mires currently harbour – next to Tertiary relict species like Rhododendron ponticum – many sub Mediterranean, temperate, and boreal relict species [Denk et.all.2001].

Globally extraordinary habitats in the Colchis lowland are the relict Colchis forests and the percolation bogs only existing here. The Colchis forests are unique ecosystems of characteristic warm-humid broad-leaved deciduous mixed forests with evergreen understory, rich in endemic and relict tertiary species, which are mostly spread on the Colchis lowland and the adjacent foothills of the Lesser Caucasus Range.

The peatlands of the Colchis lowland with their luxurious Sphagnum vegetation form a structural and functional transition between the peatlands of the boreal and those of the tropical zones. The special character of the area and its peatlands brought Botch & Masing [1983] and Succow & Joosten [2001] to the distinction of a special Colchis peatland region within Eurasia.

Colhis Lowlands belongs to: Oldest Mediterranean (World), Sub -Mediterranean (Region), Colchis, or Eastern Euxinus (Province), and Colchis Lowland and Ffoothills (District) [Gagnidze, R.1996]. The main habitats in the Colchislowland are the relict Colchisforests, the peatlands, the wetlands, coastal sand zones, river mouths, open fresh and salt water areas.

In plain subtropical humid landscapes, located in the central parts of Colchic lowland, average annual temperature had slightly increased in recent years. Analysis of data from 1936 to 2012 revealed that within 10-year-long interval, a quite difficult situation was observed [Nikolaishvili, et al., 2015].

4. Main Results

4.1. Anthropogenic Transformation

Anthropogenic transformation of ecosystems of Colchis Lowland has very diverse character and this diversity is related to many factors. The significant change has undergone in XX century, when 2/3 part of this territory was transformed. In 1990s, on background an energy crisis influence has increased woods from population. Some forest cover which was considered untouched during centuries was destroyed. As a result of this anthropogenic pressure ecosystem degradation processes have became frequent phenomena [Nikolaishvili, Salukvadze, et al, 2013].

Anthropogenic pressure on the Colchis forests and peatlands started to rise in the second half of the 19th century and accelerated significantly in Soviet Union. The peatlands had been affected by drainage and peat extraction, thus only a few almost natural peatlands remained intact. Similarly, huge deforestation destroyed the forests in the Colchis lowland almost completely and only at the foothills some natural forest fragments still exist.

Recent pressures include major industrial developments as well as prevailing social conditions that lead to continuous decline of these unique ecosystems by encroachment, illegal logging, fires, unregulated hunting and grazing.

The former destruction and damaging of the habitats as well as recent pressure to the areas are endangering all kind of these habitats and led to a distinction of plant species and development of plant communities comprising by invasive plant species like Polygonum thunbergii (Table 1).

Thus many peatlands and relict forest species, including Georgian and Caucasian endemics, are included in the "Red List" for woody plants like Quercus imeretina, Quercus hatwissiana, Pterocarya pterocarpa, Buxus colchica (by Georgia law of Parliament 2006) and herbs like Drosera rotundifolia, Ramphicarpa medwedewii, Hibiscus ponticus,, Nymphaea colchica, Osmunda regalis, Molinia litoralis [Red Date Book of Georgia, 1982].

There is interdependence between the species and its habitat. Relicts and endemic plants can develop in their historically established habitats. The habitat is a micro-ecological environment, created by its plants. In order to protect the endangered species, it is necessary to protect their habitats as well. In Georgian law of environment do exist law about fauna but there is no law similar to this about habitats.

4.2. Evaluation of Vegetation Biodiversity

The Colchis mires display a diverse vegetation with many endemic species and relicts from the glacial period. Ispani II and I (partly) are dominated by Sphagnum papillosum, S. imbricatum, and S. palustre. The vegetation further comprises amazingly few species, including Molinia litoralis, Rhynchospora alba, R. caucasica, Rhododendron ponticum, R. luteum, Vaccinium arctostaphyllos, and Drosera rotundifolia. This monotony makes Ispani II to a paradigm example of low internal (a-) diversity that contributes substantially to global ecosystem [- and -] biodiversity [Joosten 2001].

In Imnati Sphagnum palustre, S. papillosum, and S. magellanicum are interestingly accompanied by Carex lasiocarpa, C. rostrata, and Cladium mariscus. The minerotrophic parts of Nabada are characterized by Cladium mariscus, Spha­gnum palustre, Carex gracilis, C. lasiocarpa, C. riparia, Poten­tilla erecta, Lysimachia vulgaris, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Molinia litoralis, and Eupatorium cannabium. Most data on the vegetation of the Colchis mires go back to Dokturowski [1931,1933] and Flerow [1936]. In the 1960s some studies were published by Kolakowski [1961], Tumadjanow [1962] and Kimeridse [1962,1963,1966], but since then the subject has drawn little scientific attention [Kimeridse 1992 unpublished, Potskhishvili et al. 1997, Matchutadze 1999]. All studies have been confined to the floristic composition of the vegetation. A compatibility with a modern vegetation typology is absent.

Among the major peat accumulating species, Sphagnum deserves special attention. Colchis is the only subtropical area in the world with Sphagnum dominated ombrotrophic mires. Sphagnum palustre grows here under ombrotrophic conditions, whereas the species elsewhere is restricted to mesotrophic, i.e. minerotrophic sites [Daniels & Eddy 1985].

Sphagnum imbricatum is a main peat forming species in Ispani and Imnati [Dokturowski 1931, 1933, Potskhishvili et al. 1997, Kaffke et al. 2000]. From 800 years BC on, its massive occurrence in the bogs of Central and Western Europe [Overbeck 1975] led to the accumulation of slightly decomposed Sphagnum peat ("white peat"), which is now of high economic value. In recent centuries, the species has become extremely rare in Europe [Green 1968], its massive decline being ascribed to climate change, fires, and eutrophication [Mauquoy & Barber 1999]. In Colchis the widespread dominance of Sphagnum imbricatum [Kaffke unpubl.] enables the study of vegetational characteristics and peat accumulation processes of this species. This will provide important information for advancing commercial Sphagnum cultivation that is currently being developed as a sustainable substitute for the exhausting fossil "white peat" [Joosten 1998, 2000, Gaudig & Joosten 2002].

4.3. Rare and Endangered Plant Species of Colchis Wetlands

There are a lot of Rare and endangered plant species in Colchis wetlnads. They are represented by different species [Handbook of european Sphagna, 1985; R. E. Daniels, A. Eddy, Institute of Terrestrial ecology, London, Dorset; Matchutadze I., 2008; S.K. Czerepanov., 1995., Vascular Plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR), 516 p. A.A.Kolakovsky. 1961; The Flora and Vegetation of Colchida, 459 p; Matchutadze I., 2008]:

1)         Sphagnum imbricatum Russ. S. austinii Sull.ex Aust., Category: LEAST CONCERN (LC);

2)         Hymenophyllum tunbridgense (L.) Smith - 2, Wrightii Bosch = Mecodium wrightii, Category: Criticaly Endangered (CR);

3)         Marsilea quadrifolia L., Category:Critically Endangered (EN), EN A1acdB1(i,ii);

4)         Osmunda regalis L. (O. longifolia (C. Presl) A. Bobr., O. regalis var. longifolia C. Presl), subsp. Japonica (Thunb.) A.& D. Loven = O. japonica, var. longifolia C. Presl = O. regalis, Category: Endangered (EN), ENA1adB2b(i,ii);

5)         Dreosera rotundifolia L. 1,2,3,4,5, Category: Endangered (EN), ENA1adB2b(i,ii);

6)         Hibiscus ponticus Rupr., Category: Criticaly Endangered (CR), CRB2b(i,ii,iii,iv);

7)         Kosteletzkya pentacarpa (L.) Ledeb., Category: Extinct in the wild (EW);

8)         Rhynchospora caucasica Palla –2, Category: Crutically Endangered (CR), CRb1b(i,ii,iii)c(i,ii);

9)         Rhynchospora alba (L.)Vahl – 1,2,3,4,5, Category: CRITIUCALLY ENDANGERED (CR), CR A2+B1ac(i,ii);

10)     Ruscus colchicus – P.EF.Yeo (Ruscus hypophyllum auct.) –1,2, Category: VULNERABLE (VU), VUA1a;

11)     Pterocarya pterocarpa (Michx.) Kunth ex I. Iljink. (Juglans pterocarpa Michx., Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Poir.) Spach, nom. Ambig.-2, Category: VULNERABLE (VU), VUB1b(i,ii)+2c(i,ii,iii);

12)     Ilex colchica Pojark. –2-subsp. Imerethica (Gagnidze) Gagnidze = I. imerethica, Category: NEAR THREATENED (NT);

13)     Quercus imeretina Stev.ex Woronow (Q. erucifolia Stev. Var. imeretina (Stev. ex Woronow) O. Schwarz, Q. ruber L., subsp. Imeretina (Stev. ex Woronow) Menitsky) –2, infectoria Oliv.subsp.boissieri (Reut.) O. schwarz =Q. boissieri, kochiana O. Schwarz =Q.dshorochensis, komarowii A.Camus = Q. dshorochensis, kozlowskyi Woronow ex Grossh. = Q. iberica, lanuginosa lam. Subsp. Crispata (Stev.) A. Camus = Q. rubescens-subsp. Medwedewii A. Camus = Q. dalehampii, longifolia C.Koch = Q. dshorochensis, longipes Stev.= Q. pedunculiflora, Category: NEAR THREATENED (NT);

14)     Quercus hartwissiana Stev.-1(cult.),2,6(cult.), Hypochriza Stev.=Q.iberica, Category: NEAR THREATENED (NT);

15)     Trapa colchica Albov – 1,2, Category: VULNERABLE (VU), VUA1a4+B1b(i,ii)c(i,ii);

16)     Trapa maleevii V.Vassil. – 2, Category: VULNERABLE (VU), VUA1a4+B1b(i,ii)c(i,ii)E;

17)     Asparagus litoralis Stev., Category: EXTINCT IN THE WILD (EW);

18)     Convolvulus persicus L.-2,6, Category: EXTINCT IN THE WILD (EW);

19)     Lycopodiella inundata (L.) Holub (Lycopodium inundatum L., Lepidotis inundata (L.) Boern.) – 1,2,3, Category: ENDANGERED (EN), ENC2a(i,ii);

20)     Pancratium maritimum L. – 2, Category: VULNERABLE (VU), VUB2c(i,ii,iii);

21)     Eryngium maritimum L. – 1,2, mirandum Bobr. = E. octophyllum, nigromontanum Boiss. & Buhse = E. billardieri, noenum Boiss. = E. billardieri, Category: VULNERABLE (VU), VUD1+E;

22)     Glaucium flavum Crantz – 1,2, Category: VULNERABLE (VU), VUD1+E;

23)     Salvinia natans (L.) All. – 1,2,3,5, 6, Category: VULNERABLE (VU), VUC1+D+E;

24)     Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl – 1,2, subsp.martii (Roem.& Schult.) Egor.= C. martii, subsp. Martii (Roem. & Schult.) Soo. = C. martii, Category: VULNERABLE (VU), VUA1a;

25)     Solidago turfosa Woronow ex Grossh. –2, Category: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR), CRA1a+Bc(i,ii,iii);

26)     Spiranthes amoena (Bieb.)Spreng. (S. sinensis (Persl.) Ames var. amoena (Bieb.), Hara, S. australis auct.) 1,3,4,5, australis auct. = S. amoena, autumnalis (Balb.) Rich. = S.spiralis, Category: VULNERABLE (VU), VUD1;

27)     Spiranthes spiralis (L.) Chevall. (Ophrys spiralis L., Spiranthes autumnalis (Balb.) Rich.) –1,2, Category: VULNERABLE (VU), UA1a;

28)     Rhamphicarpa medwedewii Albov – 2, Category: ENDANGERED (EN), ENE;

29)     Gentiana pneumonantha, Category: ENDANGERED (EN), ENE.

Table 1. Main Habitats of Colchis Lowland.

5. Conclusions

On the basis of the research the list of Rare and endangered plant species of Colchis wetlands was revealed. Some of them (5 habitats) has a high value for biodiversity: Coastal dunes, Permanent freshwater lakes, ponds, Sphagnum bog in particular Percolation bog, Fen, Cladietum mariscus, and Relict Colchis forest.

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