Scientific Heritage of Professor Nikoloz Beruchashvili (1947-2006)

Abstract

A special issue “New Challenge for Geography: Landscape Dimensions of Sustainable Development” (journal; “Earth Sciences”) is dedicated to the 70th birthday anniversary of Prof. Nikoloz (Niko) Beruchashvili – a famous Georgian geographer and cartographer, PhD in Geography at the Chair of Department of Cartography and Geoinformatics of Tbilisi State University, head of the scientific-research LAB studying the states of environment with aerospace methods (1979-2006) and Physical-Geographical Station of Martkopi (1982-2006), the Chair of the International Geographical Union’s Commission on Landscape Analysis (2004-2006). This issue discusses modern problems of landscape science and related fields of knowledge. In the 1970s, N. Beruchashvili organized and managed a program of annual observations on the dynamics of landscapes at Martkopi physical-geographical center and also seasonal observation centers for different landscapes of Georgia. He also organized expeditions to the Caucasus and different parts of the World. He established air observations of the landscape conditions to study its dynamics. On the basis of these observations, he developed a spatial-temporal concept of landscapes. He introduced some terms to landscape science (such are geomasses, geohorizons, vertical structure, stexes - daily conditions, etc.) and developed main principles. He published more than 220 scientific works, 28 of them are monographs (Tbilisi, Paris, Moscow).As a researcher, N. Beruchashvili visited and worked in 60 countries of the World. In 1975-1976, he did a special course at Paris VII University in France. In 1987-2005, he was invited to give lectures and did scientific works at different Universities (Warsaw, Sofia, University in Brno, Toulouse, Grenoble, etc.).He contributed to the introduction and development of the GIS-technologies in geographical researches in Georgia, as well as establishment of Chair of Geoinformatics at Tbilisi State University, Georgia. For the total period of his working at the Tbilisi State University, he organized a number of international forums. His students and scientific followers are working in different branches of geography and cartography, and they also work successfully in tourism, land cadaster, statistics, military analysis, urban planning, etc. The Special issue is prepared by Alexander Javakhishvili Geographical Society of Georgia.