Floristic characteristics of some synanthropic plant communities of the Kobuleti lowland (Adjara, Georgia)

Aleksandre Sharabidze,Gogita Shainidze,Irakli Mikeladze,Nani Gvarishvili

doi:10.46341/pi2021007

Abstract

The materials of the field research of synanthropic vegetation in the territory of the Kobuleti in the 2016–2020 years are provided. In particular, 134 taxa belonging to 49 families and 97 genera were revealed in the three different plant communities (Cryptomerietum japonicae, Eucalyptetum-viminali-globulo-cinerei, and Cinnamomo glanduliferae-Cryptomerietum japonicae) in the Kobuleti lowland. The community Cryptomerietum japonicae comprises 66 taxa, 33 of which are native, and 33 have an alien origin. Woody plants in Cryptomerietum japonicae are represented by 15 taxa. The community Eucalyptetum-viminali-globulo-cinerei comprises 91 taxa, 36 of which are native and 55 are alien. Woody plants in Eucalyptetum-viminali-globulo-cinerei are represented with 17 taxa, while the rest 74 taxa are herbaceous. In Cinnamomo glanduliferae-Cryptomerietum japonicae there are discovered 49 plant taxa, including 25 native and 24 aliens. In this community, 16 taxa are represented by woody plants and 33 taxa – by herbaceous ones.Therefore, in the investigated region, 60 taxa (44.77%) were found to be native and 74 taxa (55.23%) alien. Among aliens, 31 taxa have East Asian origin, 16 taxa are from the Mediterranean, 13 taxa originated from Europe, ten taxa originated from North American, and four – originated from Australia.Despite cuttings and artificial planting of alien representatives, some indigenous woody species (i.e., Corylus avellana, Frangula alnus, Vaccinium arctostaphylos, Smilax excelsa, Quercus hartwissiana, Carpinus caucasica, Castanea sativa, and Hedera colchica) still occur in this territory. Both native and alien taxa participate in the formation of the described landscape structure. Successional events have started in the Kolkheti Lowland in ancient times. It is a long-term process, which is still ongoing, as our observations confirmed it.

Highlights

The transformation of the flora and vegetation is one of the significant challenges in the modern world related to human activity
The human disruption impact on the ecosystems promotes their response through the secondary autogenic succession. Such successions vary depending on specific anthropogenic influence on ecosystem and allow plant species with foreign origin invade and inhabit local plant communities (Kornaś, 1990; Richardson & Pyšek, 2006; Fudali, 2009; Opálková & Cimalová, 2012; Solomakha et al, 2012; Ziaja & Wójcik, 2015; Mikeladze, 2015; Kostryukova et al, 2017)
Cryptomeria japonica was introduced in coastal Adjara at the beginning of the XX century

Summary

Introduction

The transformation of the flora and vegetation is one of the significant challenges in the modern world related to human activity. The human disruption impact on the ecosystems promotes their response through the secondary autogenic succession Such successions vary depending on specific anthropogenic influence on ecosystem and allow plant species with foreign origin invade and inhabit local plant communities (Kornaś, 1990; Richardson & Pyšek, 2006; Fudali, 2009; Opálková & Cimalová, 2012; Solomakha et al, 2012; Ziaja & Wójcik, 2015; Mikeladze, 2015; Kostryukova et al, 2017). The influence of anthropogenic factors, irrational use of natural sources, and careless and abandoned agricultural lands have led to a remarkable transformation of flora and vegetation. Such transformation is reflected in the invasion of alien plant species in the disturbed habitats and syngeneic succession. This is a result of anthropogenic-induced invasion processes in the florogenesis that oppressed indigenous species, in particular, those ‘shelters’ (refugia) of which were destroyed (Ginkul, 1936; Mazurenko & Khokhriakov, 1972; Davitadze, 1980, 2001, 2002; Richardson et al, 2000; Richardson & Pyšek, 2006; Simberloff, 2013)

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