Main Problems of the Sustainable Development of South Caucasus and Processes of Transformation of Landscape (Ecosystem) Biodiversity

Abstract

With the biodiversity index, South Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia) ranks among one of the first in the Northern Hemisphere with over 6000 plant taxa, when considered in terms of a unit area. This gives the region the status an important Global Biodiversity Center. South Caucasus is also distinguished for its high endemism: 1/4 of the plants and animals in the region are endemic. For example, the mammals alone are represented by 152 species, with 30 of them being endemic. There are also many relict species in the region. South Caucasus is outstanding with its ecosystem diversity: although it occupies 0.5% of the world’s land, it has 40% of the world’s types of ecosystems (landscapes). It should also be noted that 1/10 of the landscapes in South Caucasus belong to the category of intact or insignificantly transformed ecosystems. It is also interesting to note that homogenous or transboundary landscapes, irrespective of their political appropriation, are characterized by the similar forms of economy and environmental problems. The problems of sustainable development of South Caucasus are associated with a number of reasons, with the following ones being important: historical particularities of the socioeconomic development, modern trends in the development of economy, trends of using natural resources, trends in transport development, trends of the population dynamics, geopolitical situation and military conflicts, and natural risks and disasters. Assessment of conditions of landscapes is an important link for landscape planning and sustainable development. In it the main role is also played naturally by socioeconomic factors. Human activities determine a condition of 20% of landscapes of South Caucasus. At the present stage, an important task is determination of the current state of the changed landscapes among which the main part is occupied by agricultural modifications.