Eter Abulidze
Ilia State University, Georgia
Title: Biodiversity monitoring in Sno valley (Georgia, Caucasus)
Biography
Biography: Eter Abulidze
Abstract
The valley of Sno in Georgia (Caucasus) (Figure) is rich with its biological and landscape diversity (http://www.apa.gov.ge) and is one of the most popular destinations for tourists. Currently, hydro-electric stations and pylons are planned to be deployed in Sno Valley, which is supposed to have an impact on the biodiversity of the area. Previous studies have shown that the development of high voltage electro-power transmission system could affect local biodiversity either by the destruction of the physical environment or by the direct influence of electromagnetic field on plants and animals (https://electricalnotes.wordpress.com 2012.02.17). The direct effects on biodiversity could be numerous. As power lines are particularly bright and their Ultra Violet light is visible for most of the animal species, it will become a physical barrier for them which, in turn, could pose a problem during migration (https://www.theguardian.com 12 March 2014). Some bird species (Great Rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilla ), Guldenstadt's Redstart (Phoenicurus erythrogaster) and Chiffchaff, (Phylloscopus collybita) spend their lifetime in Sno Valley(N. Paposhvili et al., 2016). In winter, they use the sea-buckthorn for feeding which is mostly occurring in the areas where the pylons will be deployed. A Large part of this wintering habitat is already destroyed which means that specific bird species will face significant problems. High voltage electromagnetic field has already identified as a threat to animal and plant species' health, development, and germination (Balaji, A. 2015; Dib & Mordjaoui, 2014). Hence, monitoring of local biodiversity is an important issue for its maintenance and conservation. The proposed research will help to develop biodiversity database that could serve as a baseline for future biomonitoring of the impact of hydro-electric constructions. In particular, I have evaluated the forest coverage in the valley and generated a distributional database for wooded plants, birds, large mammals and reptile species. In addition, during the research, I observed the process of deployment of power pylons and estimated reduction and degradation of the habitats of certain species of the populations.