Аннотация:Abstract
Establishment a system of protected areas is very important direction in addressing of problem conservation the landscape biodiversity and in general, of the integrity of ecosystems. Great attention is paid to ecological corridors, which in a unified system organize a network of protected areas. Solution of this scientific task is possible by the efforts of the integrated sciences, including geography.
In the pan-European strategy of biological and landscape diversity the four components of protected areas network are considered: bio-center or reserve, ecological corridors, buffer zone, extreme territory. Development of ecological corridors is closely connected with conserving biology.
A significant part of conservation biology issues relates to the competence of geography. Conservation Geography implies preservation of the territory, based on a geographical approach, applying GIS-analysis. Landscape diversity of the area is the primary basis for biodiversity. The relationship between landscape diversity and the biodiversity of the territory is unmistakable.
The paper considers problems and methods of conservation geography, which allowed the development of potentially possible route of ecological corridors in Central part of the Lesser Caucasus. The conducted landscape analysis made it possible to identify the unique landscapes, because of their location at the limits of its location. Through this approach the network of ecological corridors was proposed linking the East and West Georgia. This network has three main branches. An important aspect for their identification is the analysis of existing barriers to wildlife corridors. Among the barriers contributing to the isolation of individual populations include natural barriers and barriers created as a result of human activities. GIS analysis of the territory shows geographical barriers, buffer zones around settlements, roads, etc.
The question of ecological corridors can become particularly relevant in establishing of transboundary protected areas, i.e. common to neighboring countries, such as protected areas shared between Georgia and Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, Georgia and Armenia. Biological and landscape diversity - one of the most important potential riches of Georgia, the conservation and rational use of which can bring considerable economic benefits.
Key words: Protected Areas; Ecological Corridors; Conservation Geography; Landscape Diversity; Small Caucasus; Georgia