The Giant Caucasus
One of the world's biodiversity
hotspots,
the giant Caucasus is often considered the border between Europe and Asia, but it is also a
phytogeographic
bridge between the subcontinents. With Kasbek and Elbrus exceeding 5000 m, the alpine
land area is very large. Birch and pine are common treeline species. Land use plays an
important role, with most of the alpine grassland grazed regularly by large herds of sheep.
The examples shown here are from Georgia and the Elbrus region.
1 -
Kazbek (5047 m), and alpine pasture land at 2000 m in the foreground.
5 -
Pockets of
Betula litwinowii
(Betulaceae) and steep slopes with
Sesleria sp.
(Poaceae) grassland at 2500 m near Kazbegi.
5 -
Pockets of
Betula litwinowii
(Betulaceae) and steep slopes with
Sesleria sp.
(Poaceae) grassland at 2500 m near Kazbegi.
6 -
Carex tristis
(Cyperaceae) at 2900 m, the dominant alpine sedge, corresponding to
Carex curvula
(Cyperaceae) in the
Alps
or
Kobresia sp.
in the Rocky Mts.
6 -
Carex tristis
(Cyperaceae) at 2900 m, the dominant alpine sedge, corresponding to
Carex curvula
(Cyperaceae) in the
Alps
or
Kobresia sp.
in the Rocky Mts.
7 -
Traditional shepherded alpine grazing near Kazbegi (Georgia, 1800-2200 m).
7 -
Traditional shepherded alpine grazing near Kazbegi (Georgia, 1800-2200 m).
8 -
Traditional alpine grazing creates a terrassed, stable, short grass sward.
8 -
Traditional alpine grazing creates a terrassed, stable, short grass sward.
9 - Elbrus (5643 m)
9 - Elbrus (5643 m)
10 -
Nival flora at 3500 m:
Tephroseris (=Senecio) karyaginii
(Asteraceae).
10 -
Nival flora at 3500 m:
Tephroseris (=Senecio) karyaginii
(Asteraceae).
11 -
Veronica minuta
(Scrophulariaceae)
11 -
Veronica minuta
(Scrophulariaceae)
12 -
Tripleurospermum subnivale
(Asteraceae)
12 -
Tripleurospermum subnivale
(Asteraceae)