They occupy about 40 per cent of the territory of the country and have exceptional importance at the national, regional, and global levels. 95–98 per cent of the Georgian forests have natural origin. 60 per cent of the forest belongs to the Black Sea and 40 per cent to the Caspian Sea basins. 97 per cent of the forest is represented by mountain forests. More than 70 per cent of forests are located 1000 meters above sea level and 80 per cent on slopes of more than 200.
Their composition, structure, growth, development and other characteristics determine a rich biological diversity – up to 400 tree and shrub species grow in Georgian forests. The large number of endemic timber tree species points at the high diversity of dendroflora. Among endemic species 61 species are endemic to Georgia and 43 are endemic to the Caucasus.
Georgian forests not only conserve the unique biological diversity of Georgia, but ensure continuous delivery of vital direct and indirect benefits and resources to the population. This in turn facilitates the functioning of the fields of economy, the growth of human welfare, poverty elimination and creates a favourable environment for the sustainable development of the country.
Forests are required to meet different demands of the national economy and the population. Forest resources are crucial for carrying out social-environmental functions e.g. water regulation, soil protection, climate regulation, recreational, resort, sanitary-hygienic, aesthetic and other useful functions having great significance for the country. Clean water supply for the major part of the Georgian population depends on forests. Forests regulate water quality and mitigate the risk of flooding and flash flooding by regulating the run-off of precipitation. They help to prevent soil erosion. They mitigate the risk and impacts of landslides, avalanches and mudflows. The mentioned regulatory functions are very important for the development of hydro energy (since healthy forests decrease the amounts of river sediments and thus protect water reservoirs from filling) and agriculture (erosion control, pest control, pollination of agricultural crops, etc.). Georgia’s forests provide timber for industrial and household use, as well as non-timber resources including medicinal plants. Forestry activities and processing of forest resources can generate significant value and work possibilities, and thus increase incomes and prosperity of the rural population.
Georgia's forest plays a crucial role in greenhouse gas balance. The socio-economic situation in the country after gaining independence has had an extremely negative impact on the forestry sector and has had a direct impact on forests, leading to a significant reduction in their carbon dioxide absorption potential. Nevertheless, the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report of Georgia (1990–2017) shows that forests are a significant absorber of greenhouse gases and can make a significant contribution to climate change mitigation under consistent measures.
The concept of the National Forest of Georgia states that climate change will significantly affect the forests of Georgia. Doing nothing or reacting too late will put forests at risk of catastrophic degradation. This will lead to a decrease in the quality of forest products and forest service. It should be said that in the two important forest areas of the country, Borjomi and Chhokhatauri, the accumulation of carbon dioxide has decreased by 16 and 7.3 tons per hectare, respectively, over the last 30 years.
Rusudan Simonidze and Merab Sharabidze
“Green regions”
