4: WESTERN LESSER CAUCASUS

Region 4: WESTERN LESSER CAUCASUS

Western Lesser Caucasus Mountains. Stretching from the Borjomi Gorge to the Black Sea, this range is not as high as the Greater Caucasus. There are only a few peaks higher than 3,000 meters above sea level. The mountains are almost completely covered with either mixed or broad–leaved beech forests. This area is quite humid, resembling somewhat the temperate rainforests of British Columbia. In some parts of the area annual precipitation exceeds 3,000 millimeters. The climate is mild, although in winter deep snow cover is common. Vegetation is extremely diverse, and over a quarter of the species are endemic to the region. Five species of rhododendron are found nowhere else in the world. In forests and on mountain peaks, one can watch a great variety of songbirds, woodpeckers, owls, and birds of prey. In the rhododendron bushes Caucasian black grouse can be found. The site harbors brown bear, wolf, and occasionally, red deer and chamois. Many endemic amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and insects (including Caucasian brook salamander, Robert’s vole, and various rock lizards and running beetles) can also be found.