The vegetation of Mtatsminda-Kustba area (Mamadaviti Ridge, East Georgia, South Caucasus)

Abstract

The vegetation of the eastern part of Mamadaviti Ridge – Mtatsminda-Kustba area is studied for the first time. The vegetation is highly modified due to human-induced impacts. It is a mixture of natural and near natural vegetation and the artificially planted woody plantations. Vegetation units of both mesophilous and hemixerophilous ecosystems are present. Wetland vegetation communities are formed on the shores of the lake Kustba. Natural and near natural vegetation includes broad-leaved forests, shibliak-type hemixerophilous shrubberies, meadow-steppes and steppes, as well as vegetation of rock and scree ecotypes. Common reed plant communities (Phragmitetum australis) occur locally. The area is marked by extensive zones covered with highly diverse artificial plantations. There are both coniferous and deciduous, as well as mixed plantations, which are established with sole use of introduced species. The current condition of the main units of vegetation, the degree of their modification and stress, as well as the main directions and trends of successive changes in vegetation are established. The flora of the study area is composed of ca. 750 species of vascular plants. Both boreal and Ancient Mediterranean florogenetic connections are expressed. Almost all life forms of plants of different bio-ecology are represented. Forty-eight endemic species of the Caucasus were recorded.