Kazbegi National
Park landcover is represented by 1347 spcies, among them 26% are endemic
plants. Here are alpine, subalpine, xerophytic and many other plants form
environmental groups. Kazbegi National Park forests are located on steep
slopes. There are 105 species of woody plants, but mainly there are Litvinovs
birch, Sosnovski pine, junipers and cranberries.
The number of woody species is large, but still forest backgrounds
are formed by a few species. 2595 hectares of the forest is covered with birch
groves, pine forests- 369 hectares, beech forests – 49 hectares, asp forests –
32 hectares, Caucasian rhododendrons – 928 hectares, sea-buckthorns- 23
hectares, birch forest dominating by barberries – 28 hectares, willows – 15
hectares, other groves dominating by woody species – 22 hectares.
It should be noted that in Georgia quite a large array of
sea-buckthorn is rare, which is found in nearby of Stepantsminda, and Oriental
beech and high mountain oak are widespread in the vast areas of Snoskheoba.
Among the forests in Kazbegi region one of the most important one
is a natural grove which is near village Sioni. Here on 1700-1900 m above the
sea level there are: birch, poplar, common ash-tree, rowans, high mountain
maple and other deciduous species.
Kazbegi flora is rich in wild herbs, which is one of the most
important natural resources, the protection, restoration and cultivation of
which has a great importance. The list of common herbs here are: sage,
sweetbrier, centifola, tansies, dandelion, thyme, chamomile, chicory,
coltsfoot, achillea, origanum, valeriana, hypericum, henbanes, cranberries,
fleaworts, nettles, leonurus and others.
Plants from the “Red List” of Georgia
In single copies here can be found high mountain oak
(Quercus macranthera), a small elm (Ulmus minor Miller), bare elm (Ulmus glabra)
and others.
Relict and endemic species
From Georgian endemics on the weathering of rocks there are:
Arabis kazbekensis, Galanthus platyphillus, Heracleum ossethicum, Lilium georgicum,
Muscari pallens.
From the Caucasian endemic plants here can be found:
Delphinium flexuosum, Campanula hypopolia, Campanula petrophilla,
Campanula sosnowskyi, Delphinium flexuosum , Delphinium speciosum, Dianthus
caucaseus, Eritrichium caucasicum, Fritillaria latifolia, Fritillaria lutea, Gladiolus
tenuis, Inula magnific, Ligularia subsagittata, Primula cordifolia,
Primula darialica, Sobolewskia caucasica,
Local endemics: Heracleum roseum var. latilobum
Kazbegi National
Park is rich in fauna. Most of the animals spread here are rare and endangered
species included in the “Red List” of Georgia: East Caucasian tur, chamois,
brown bear. Here you can find: martens, wild cats, rabbits, squirrels and
others.
Biodiversity and deep valleys, hills, subalpine fields existing
in the National Park are the ideal habitat for large-sized birds of prey. In
the Reserve you can find: the golden eagle, vulture and bearded vulture. An
attention draws also the Caucasian rouse and Caucasian Snowcock.
Endemic species
From mammals there are Georgian endemic species: Common
Shrew (Sorexsatunini), Volnuchinishrew (Sorexvolnuchini),
Gueldenstaedt’s shrew (Crociduragueldenstaedtii), Kazbeg birch mouse, (Sicistakazbegica) and bushes vole (Terricoladaghestanicus).
From endemic birds here are: the Caucasian Black Grouse
(Tetrao mlokosiewzci), the Caucasian Snowcock (Tetraogallus caucasicus), ring
ouzel (Turdus torquatus), Red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax),Alpine
chough (P. graculus) and others. In addition in the National Park there are
globally important 2 species of birds: Great rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilla)
and Güldenstädt's redstart (Phoenicurus erythogaster).
Attraction Passes
You are able to practice payable eco-tourist services at the National Parks of Georgia.
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