baumzaehlen - Primeval Forests & Their Trees

Lagodekhi Strict Nature Reserve, Georgia

The reserve was established as early as 1912, thus being the second oldest protected area in the whole former Soviet Union ¹ . The reserve was closed to the public until the breakup of the Soviet Union ¹ . Today its area is 179 km ² lying between elevations 590–3500 m.

Beautiful pristine ² East Caucasus broadleaf forests can be found here. The tree flora is slightly richer than in western Europe in similar sites but lower than in eastern North America and especially eastern Asia ³ . For information about tree identification, see Borjomi Strict Nature Reserve . On the foothills, Fagus orientalis (oriental beech) and Carpinus betulus (European hornbeam) dominate. 30-metre C. betulus trees are common; their broad crowns form an arching roof above a well-developed shrub layer. F. orientalis reaches 40 m at most here. Abundant moss grows on tree trunks indicating a moist climate. Climbers occur, as well. Steep slopes are often covered by Quercus petraea subsp. iberica (sessile oak) – C. betulus forest. The uppermost forest zone is occupied by low forest or krummholz consisting of species such as Betula pubescens var. litwinowii (Caucasian downy birch), Quercus macranthera (Caucasian oak) and Sorbus aucuparia (European rowan). The upper mountain ridges were originally outside the reserve and extensively grazed; now forest is slowly reclaiming these areas ⁴ . Also the low-elevation flats along rivers were originally not protected; now they have a loose protection status “Managed Reserve”.

The slopes are steep. The slope forests have abundant openings, which are covered by thorny Rubus thickets. Annual precipitation is approx. 1000 mm on the foothills and exceeds 2000 mm on the upper slopes ⁴ . Average annual temperature at low altitudes is approx. 12°C.

There are many hiking trails. Staying overnight is allowed in huts and tent in a few places, all located on the upper mountain ridges.

References :

1 Krever, V. et al. (eds.) 2001: Biodiversity of the Caucasus Ecoregion. An Analysis of Biodiversity and Current Threats and Initial Investment Portfolio. WWF.

2 Nakhutsrishvili, G. (2013): The Vegetation of Georgia (South Caucasus). Springer.

3 /d0efbeed55a0d93f499ac407099560f5/viewtopic.php?f=144&t=6804

4 http://enrin.grida.no/htmls/georgia/soegeor/english/biodiv/reserves/lagodekh.htm

Official site:

http://apa.gov.ge/en/protected-areas/cattestone/lagodexis-daculi-teritoriebis-administracia