General info – Georgia is located on the border of two large, natural climatic units of the Earth – subtropical and temperate zones. As a result, the conditions for forest vegetation characteristic of both zones are created here. The protection from cold air currents by the main Caucasus range in the north and the proximity of the warm Black Sea create a favourable thermal regime for developing thermophilic and subtropical forests in Western Georgia. Moderate and relatively cold weather, which characterises the moderately mountainous and high-mountain area of Georgia, ensures the spread of moderately thermophilic and relatively more frost-resistant coniferous and deciduous forests.
History – Forestry has a long history in Georgia, going back dozens of centuries. During the rule of King Tamar (1184–1213 ), the first decree on forests and hunting areas was issued. The forest law was subsequently developed further by King Vakhtang VI ( sixteenth century).
The socio-economic situation in the country since 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 productivity.
Nowadays, Georgia has a Forest Code (2020) based on the articles of the National Forest Concept for Georgia (2013), which states the necessity of introduction of sustainable forest management practices.
https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/4874066?publication=5
https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/2157869?publication=0
General forest data – Forests are especially valuable natural resources in Georgia. They occupy about 40 percent of the territory of the country and have exceptional importance at the national, regional, and global levels. 95–98 percent of Georgian forests are of natural origin. 60 percent belong to the Black Sea and 40 percent to the Caspian Sea basins. 97 percent of forests are mountain forests, with more than 70 percent located 1000 metres above sea level and 80 percent on slopes of more than 20 degrees.
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 tree species points at the high diversity of dendroflora. Among endemic species, 61 are endemic to Georgia and 43 are endemic to the Caucasus.
The percentage distribution of areas and stocks of groves dominated by the main woody species forming the forest is as follows:
- Beech - area 42.6%, stock -51.7%;
- Oak - area 10.3%, stock -5.5%;
- Hornbeam - area 10.3%, stock -5.2%;
- Alder - area 7.2%, stock - 3.6%;
- Fir - area 7.2%, stock - 17.4%;
- Spruce - area 5.0%, stock - 7.5%;
- Pine – area 4.2%, stock – 3.3%;
- Chestnut - area 3.8%, stock - 3.0%.
Annual cutting is around 1.0 million cubic metres.
Role of forests in national development – 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 has benefits for the 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 for the national economy and the population. Forest resources are crucial for carrying out socio-environmental functions e.g. water regulation, soil protection, climate regulation, recreational, resort, sanitation and hygiene, aesthetic and other useful functions having great significance for the country. The supply of clean water to the majority 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 from precipitation. They help to prevent soil erosion. They mitigate the risk and impacts of landslides, avalanches and mudslides. The regulatory functions mentioned above 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 up) 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 employment opportunities, and thus increase the incomes and prosperity of the rural population.
Georgian forest on the slope of small Caucasus. Photo by Marina Jordania
Forests and climate change – Georgia’s forests play a crucial role in greenhouse gas balance. The socio-economic situation in the country since 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 if consistent measures are taken.
The National Forest Concept for 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 services. It should be said that in the two important forest areas of the country, Borjomi and Chhokhatauri, carbon dioxide sequestration has decreased by 16 and 7.3 tons per hectare, respectively, over the last 30 years.
Nature protection and biodiversity – Georgian forests provide shelter and migration routes for many animal species, assisting them in maintaining genetic diversity. Georgia lies in one of the Earth’s biologically richest regions. One of the WWF’s 35 “priority places” covers the Caucasus region. Moreover, Georgia is located within two “biodiversity hotspots” – the Caucasus and Iran-Anatolia – out of 34 such hotspots identified by Conservation International as being distinguished by their biodiversity and at the same time gravely threatened territories. Forest massifs surviving in the Georgian mountains are the last untouched forests in the moderate climate zone of the Earth, and are thus of global importance. Georgia has a well-developed system of protected areas, which receive protection because of their environmental, cultural or similar value. The oldest of these – now known as the Lagodekhi Protected Areas – date back to 1912.
The total area of Georgia’s protected terrestrial territories is 6,501 km2, which amounts to approximately 9.29 percent of the country’s territory. There are a total of 89 protected areas, including 14 Strict Nature Reserves, 12 National Parks, 20 Managed Nature Reserves, 40 Natural Monuments, 2 Ramsar sites and 1 Protected Landscape. Strict nature reserves comprise 140,672 ha, while national parks cover 276,724 ha.
The forests have a rich fauna. In many areas you can see Caucasian deer, roebuck, wild boar, hares, squirrels, brown bear, wolves, jackals, badgers, lynx and foxes. The forests of Georgia are famed for the abundance and variety of birds. The bearded vulture, golden eagle, griffon, black vulture and others are among the birds of prey registered in the Red Book of Georgia. In some districts of Colchis and Kakhetia there is still a chance of seeing pheasant. Lizards, marsh turtles and snakes (grass snake, smooth snake and Caucasian viper) are reptiles frequently encountered in Georgian woods.
Mixed forest, Western Georgia. Photo by Marina Jordania
Aesthetic and recreational importance. The forests of Georgia add to tourism potential and help to increase incomes from tourism activities. The existence and development of a number of resorts and types of tourism depend on forest ecosystems. Moreover, Georgian forests have great scientific, historical, spiritual and cultural importance.
The main challenge for the sector is forest degradation, which is mainly caused by unsustainable and inefficient use of forest resources. Timber still remains the main source of energy in rural areas – the majority of the rural population is partially or completely dependent on timber for space heating, water heating and food preparation. In addition, access to energy-efficient technologies and alternative energy resources is limited. As a result of this and the socio-economic background of the country, the ongoing processes in the forestry sector over the years have been characterized by frequent institutional and legislative changes due to the instability of political and strategic priorities.
Incomplete and outdated information on quantitative and qualitative indicators of forests did not allow for long-term planning of forest management and sustainable forest use in accordance with the functional purpose of forests. To eliminate unsustainable forest management, the Georgian government launched a large-scale forest sector reform in 2013. The objectives of the forest sector reform are (a) to change current approaches to forest use and management, (b) to develop a unified forest management system, and (c) to improve the institutional and technical skills of forest management bodies. The process was based on the National Forest Concept for Georgia approved by the Georgian parliament, which is the main framework document defining policy in the sector and aims to introduce a sustainable forest management system in the country. In 2020, a new Forest Code was endorsed and the Strategy and Action Plan of the National Forestry Agency for 2021–2026 was introduced.
Merab Sharabidze
Rusudan Simonidze
“Green regions”
E-Mail - greensregion@gmail.com
