Journal of Environmental Biology

Complex evaluation of climate change - an example from

Georgia's landscapes

Dali Nikolaishvili¹, Vazha Trapaidze², Besik Kalandadze³, Tamar Mamukashvili⁴ and Manana Sharashenidze⁵

¹Tbilisi State University, Faculty of Exact and Natural Science, Chair of Regional Geography and Landscape Planning,

Associated professor. Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia

²Tbilisi? State University, Faculty of Exact and Natural Science, Chair of Hydrology, Oceanology and? Meteorology,

Associated professor. Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia

³Tbilisi?? State University, Faculty of Exact and Natural Science, Chair of Soil Sciences, Associated professor. Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia

⁴Tbilisi State University, Faculty of Exact and Natural Science, Chair of Natural Use, Doctoral student , Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia

⁵Tbilisi State University, Faculty of Exact and Natural Science, Laboratory of Geography, Doctoral student, Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia

*Corresponding Authors Email : junbao1961@sina.com

 Publication Data

Paper received:

09 July 2013

Revised received:

06 November 2013

Re-revised received:

18 June 2014

Accepted:

22 September 2014

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop spatial-temporal model of Georgia's landscapes, which gives a chance to determine the current tendencies of landscape changes in different landscapes, such as humidity/aridity, increase/decrease of bio-productivity, etc. The model used gives possibility to reveal causes of mosaic changes, associated with global climate change. The study was based on the conception of spatial-temporal analysis and synthesis of landscapes. It was carried out in different landscapes across Georgia. The daily geo-conditions and annual dynamics of landscapes was determined by analyzing some long-term data collected from meteorological stations. As a complex value, daily geo-conditions of landscapes were analyzed. On the bases of inventory of landscapes, GIS-technology and thematic mapping, main tendencies in the landscapes were developed.? Arid, Semi-arid, Semi-humid landscapes occupied a great area, which formed approximately 1/3 part of the whole territory of Georgia. These include 8 types, 11 sub-types of landscapes and 24 genera. The main share of these landscapes was concentrated in East Georgia, but some semi-humid areas were spread in West Georgia. The influence of climate change was evaluated considering several parameters, such as change of forest area, share of agricultural land in the total area of landscape, degree of fragmentation of landscapes and productivity of vegetation.  

 Key words

Climate change, Georgia, Landscape approach, Landscape changes

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