Georgia Kobuleti Protected Area
The Kobuleti Protected Areas were established in 1999 and cover the Kobuleti Strict Nature Reserve (331 ha) and Kobuleti Managed Nature Reserve (439 hectare), which are located in Achara Autonomous Republic along the Black Sea coast in the northern part of Kobuleti.
The territory is composed by contemporary (of Quaternary Age) marine-riverine and lacustrine -marsh sediments. Kobuleti Protected Areas cover the Ispani peat field. The relief is flat and slightly eroded because of the Shavi Ghele and Togoni Rivers. Here is thetypical humid subtropical marine climate – the annual amount of precipitation is 1500-2500 mm; the majority of this precipitation falls as rain in autumn and winter seasons.
The Protected Areas are distinguished with species of migrating waterfowls. Though, these places are very rich in plant species. At present there are partly degraded secondary plant communities in the Ispani-I. Ispani-II (Kobuleti Managed Nature Reserve) is a unique percolation dome-like mire of world importance that only feeds on rain water. The whole background for the peat mire of Kobuleti Protected Areas is covered with peat mosses – sphagnum species, such as the so-called “Imeretian sedge”, white beak sedge (Rhynchospora alba), Caucasian beak sedge* (Rhynchospora caucasica), Great Pond-sedge (Carex riparia),buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) and round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundiflora), et al.
Majority of plants are of northern (boreal) origin and appeared in Kolkheti during the Ice Age of theQuaternary period.
Colchic plants also grow in this peat mires, such as Pontic rhododendron (Rhododendronponticum), Yellow azalea (Rhododendronluteum), climber (Smilax excelsa), et al. The rare and threatened Royal fern (Osmunda regalis) can be found in Kobuleti Managed Nature Reserve as well.
Among mammals here inhabit jackal, otter (lutra lutra), badger, nutria, hare, Woodmouse, Field mouse,* et al. It is remarkable that otter is included in the Red List of Georgia.
Among amphibians the following species can be found here:Caspian and marsh tortoises,Common toad, Green toad, Common Tree frog, et al. and among reptiles – Dice snake, Grass snake, Slow worm,European Legless Lizard, Striped lizard**,** Common newt, *et al.
*Among ichthyofauna theNorthern pike,Crucian carp, European perch and Silver eelcan be found in the channels.
The region is also very interesting in cultural and historical viewpoint. One of the important trading routes was led through Kobuleti, which was a small cultural center in Late Antique Age. In the territory of Kobuleti the Christianity was introduced by St. Andrew the Apostle in the first century.
Kobuleti modern architecture is attractive; since 1950 population used to build complex houses with huge stairs and balconies. The large size of a house indicated to a well-being of a family. Villages around Kobuleti keep examples of Achara and Lazeti dwellings. Ruins of castles and bridges of early Middle Ages are remained nearKobuleti.
Surroundings of Kobuleti create the perfect conditions for development of tourism – organization of water, ethnological and ecological tours, bird-watching in the mountain settlements close to Kobuleti is available.
For more information, Georgian Tourist Board : www.georgia.travel