Journal of Environmental Biology

Dependence of phytomass on environmental factors: Case study of Georgia's landscapes

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D. Nikolaishvili¹, M. Tsitsagi²*, E. Nikolaishvili¹, T. Chichinadze² and T. Gorgodze¹ ????? 

¹Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, 3 Chavchavadze Ave. 0128, Tbilisi, Georgia

²Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Vakhushti Bagrationi Institute of Geography, 6 Tamarashvili St. 0177, Tbilisi, Georgia

*Corresponding Author Email : mariam.tsitsagi@tsu.ge

Paper received: 23.04.2019 ?????? ???????????????????????????????????????Revised received: 18.09.2019 ???????????? ?????????????????????????????Accepted: 13.12.2019

Abstract

Aim: Prior works had documented the diversity of Georgia's landscapes according to the phytomass. Paper aims to study relationship between phytomass and environmental factors for each landscape in Georgia.

Methodology: This research is based on the concept of analysis and synthesis of landscapes elaborated by Prof. Beruchashvili. The research is based on the field works accomplished by science-research Lab of Tbilisi State University, to study the state of the environments with RS methods in the long-time period. The work is based on the analysis of complex-geographical description of approximately 600 field plots. These plots cover the whole spectrum of landscapes of Georgia, starting from the plains through high-mountainous alpine and sub-nival landscapes. Most of these plots are described during summer period, allowing us to compare them.

Results: During research, the following parameters were identified: The landscapes of Georgia differ with their amounts of phytomass. Phytomass abundance (500 t ha^-1) is typical to the middle-mountain landscapes with the prevalence of beech-dark coniferous forests, while the minimum is typical to semi-desert and high-mountain subnival landscapes. It was established that the highest productivity of phytomass is common to the middle-mountain forest landscapes of Western Georgia with dominating beech-dark coniferous forests with an average amount of 15-20 t ha^-1 annually. The productivity of phytomass was also high in the middle-mountain forest landscapes with dominating beech trees. As a result of the study, the number of phytomas and their territorial distribution within the territory of Georgia and their connection according to environmental factors were determined. Besides, the optimum of environmental factors revealed, maximum accumulation of certain phytomass is being accumulated.

Interpretation: This study indicates that phytomass abundance is affected by different environmental factors in different landscapes. In future, it would be beneficial to analyze phytomass changes on the background of changing environmental factors.

Keywords: Environmental factors, Georgia landscapes, landscape approach, phytomass, vegetation

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