Liakhvi (137)
Georgia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Liakhvi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.2500, Longitude: 43.9167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1200 to 2300
Area of KBA (km2): 79.00112
Protected area coverage (%): 72.76
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area on the southern slopes of the main Caucasus range, including the upper valley of the River Patara-Liakhvi, which divides the site in two. The relief is complex, with numerous gorges, etc., and the principal habitat is forest, predominantly of Fagus (between 1,000 and 1,700 m), also Betula, Quercus, Carpinus and some Alnus, Fraxinus and Corylus.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas) KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Caucasus Hotspot (2003, updated 2004). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2002 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: The avifauna includes at least three of the 10 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Eurasian high-montane biome. At least 71 species have been recorded at this site, including Aquila chrysaetos (possibly 1-2 breeding pairs) and, among other raptors, 3-4 owl species; Actitis hypoleucos and up to five species of woodpeckers also breed. Passerines are well represented, with Phylloscopus nitidus in forests and Eremophila alpestris and Anthus spinoletta higher up in meadows.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Forest | 74 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Only small fragments of alpine and subalpine meadows lie within the site, while grazing on unprotected meadows adjoining it causes disturbance; nests, including of rare species such as Tetrao mlokosiewiczi and Tetraogallus caucasicus, are trampled by grazing herds which also make incursions into the reserve area. A buffer zone for better protection is urgently needed. The site was designated as a Zapovednik in 1977 and is situated just outside the Eastern Caucasus Protected Area (IBA 007). The fauna of the site, including birds, has not been well studied.