Kobuleti Strict Nature Reserve


Kobuleti Strict Nature Reserve is a protected area in Kobuleti Municipality, Adjara region of Georgia along the Black Sea coast in the northern part of the resort town Kobuleti.
Kobuleti Protected Areas were established in 1998 to preserve unique wetland ecosystems recognized by the Ramsar Convention.
Kobuleti Protected Areas include Kobuleti Strict Nature Reserve and Kobuleti Managed Reserve located on left and right banks of Shavi Ghele river respectively.
Kobuleti Strict Nature Reserve occupies territory bordered by the Togoni river on the north, the Kobuleti—Ozurgeti highway on the east, Shavi Ghele river on the south and Kobuleti suburbs on the west.

Geography

Reserve has flat surface with minor erosion by the rivers of Shavi Ghele and Togoni and by a few water drains. It is peat bog which consists mainly of peat moss with hardly noticeable surface elevations which are called locally peat domes. These minor elevations rise 1–3 m above it surroundings. Bog in this area is composed of a single peat layer with thickness from 5 m up to 9 m.

Climate

Reserve has humid marine subtropical climate with high relative humidity and periodic strong winds. Precipitation is mainly in the form of rain with total annual amount of 1500–2500 mm. Fall and winter are primary wet seasons.

Flora

Reserve is very rich in plant species.
Many of plants are of boreal origin and appeared here during the Ice Age of theQuaternary period.
Most of the area is covered with various peat mosses, in particular variety of sphagnum species, such as white sphagnum moss and Imeretian sedge, white beak sedge, Caucasian beak sedge, Great Pond-sedge, buckbean and carnivorous round-leaved sundew to name some.
Local Colchic plants also grow in peat mires including Pontic rhododendron, Yellow azalea, climber and rare, threatened Royal fern.

Fauna

Kobuleti Protected Areas provide habitat for migrating, nesting and wintering water birds including Gallinago media, which is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Gallinago gallinago and many others.
Mammals are represented by jackal, Eurasian otter, badger, nutria, hare, Woodmouse, Fieldmouse, et al. Eurasian otter is included in the Red List of Georgia.
Amphibians are represented by Caspian turtle and marsh turtle, Common toad, Green toad, Common tree frog, et al.
Reptiles are represented by Dice snake, Grass snake, Slow worm, European legless lizard, Striped lizard, Common newt, et al.
Ichthyofauna include such species as Northern pike, Crucian carp, European perch and Silver eel.