Biodiversity

The most part of Borjom-Kharagauli National Park is intact. Vegetation of the park is diverse, due to the Botanical- geographical location. 75% of the park is covered with virgin forest. The quarter of the park is covered with alpine and subalpine meadows.

There are 64 species of mammals on the territory, eleven of them are the Caucasus endemics and 8 species are included in the “Red List” of Georgia.

From the wild animals there are presented deer, roe, brown bear, wolf, and lynx. There are inhabitants of wild boar, roe, wolf, wild cat and 20 species of bat.

There are 30 species of reptiles in humid forests, 3 of them are West Caucasus’ endemic species and 2 of them are in “Red List.

Flora

The biodiversity of flora in Borjomi-Kharaguli National Park is due to botanical and geographical (at the boarder of Colhis, Central Caucasus, Asia-Minorand Near East) location. 75% of the park territory is covered with unimpaired forests. Here are unique, relict fragments of Colchis forests. There are fine fir-groves, pine groves and abies gathered in the national park. These sections of the forest are spread within 1400-1800 meters above the sea level.From broad-leaved in the lower zone the Georgian oak and horn beam prevail, in the upper zone – beech; Chestnut included in the :Red list: of Georgia is common. Woody species create multiple combination in different zones and habitats. There are also mixed forests: Spruce-fir, pine and spruce, beech-hornbeam, beech and chestnut and other. There are Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Rowan (Sorbus torminalis), maple (Acer laetum, A. campestre), rarely Hyrcanic maple (A. hyrcanum) and sub-alpine crooked birch. The subtropical under story of the park forests contain evergreen plants characteristic for typical Colchis landscape: Rhododendron, Azalea, Cherr laurel, Holly also Colchis Ivy and others.

About a quarter of the park is covered with subalpine and alpine cereal crops and varios grasses, and the Caucasian Rhododendorn is spread on a fairly large areas.

The species of plants spread in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park are more than 1,200.

From the plant species included in the “Red List” of Georgia apart from chestnut, there are Ostrya (Ostryacarpinifolia), Colchis bladdernut (Staphyleacolchica), Oriental Oak (Quercus macranthera) and wych elm (Ulmus glabra).

Notable relict species are Imeretian buck thorn, Yew, Pontine, Caucasian rhododendron, cherry laurel, holly, Colchis Ivy and others.

Fauna

Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park has a diverse fauna. Here 64 species of mammals are recorded, 11 of them are the Caucasian endemic, and 8 species are included in the “Red List” Goergia. From the main species of the wildlife here are represented: red deer, chamois, roe deer, brown bear, wolf, lynx. In the forest of Borjomi-Kharagauli Protected areas there are also: boar, roe deer, wolf, wild cat. 20 species of bats are recorded in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park.

There are 217 species of migrating and nesting birds, among them 13 species are included in the “Red List” of Georgia. The important habitats in the territory of the park are grouse (Tetraomlokosieviewiczi) and Caspian Snowcock (Tetraogaluscaucasica).

30 species of reptiles inhabit in humid forests of protected area, among then 3 species are the West Caucasian endemic and 2 species are included in the “Red List” of Georgia.

A numerous population of river trout (Salmo fario trutta) is maintained in the mountain rivers.

From rare and endangered species included in the “Red List” of Georgia in the protected areas are preserved such species of large mammals as: Caucasian red deer, brown bear, lynx, Caucasian chamois, European barbastelle, greater noctule bat, Caucasian squirrel and others. From birds there are: white-tailed eagle, vulture, golden eagle, Levant sparrowhawk, long-legged buzzard, Caspian Snowcock, Caucasian grouse and others.

Endemic species: The Caucasian salamander, Caucasian Parsley Frog, Adjarian lizard, Caucasian viper and others.