IBEDC - International Business and Economic Development Center

Project Info day in the target regions

Info days Report

IBEDC project team has organized the IASON+ project Info-days in Batumi on November 14 and in Poti on November 28, 2024. Objective of the meeting was to present info on the project to the stakeholders and beneficiaries. The Info-day aimed at informing local communities and stakeholders about the initiatives and goals of the project, prospects for environmental and socio-economic impact of IAS on ES and the functions of the Observatory. Also the contribution on sharing the experience was the main massage for the meeting attendants. The Info-days were attended by up to 30 representatives of stakeholders from various institutions and organizations of the target regions. Various spectrums of invited persons were introduced: Representatives from Agency of Protected Areas, National Environmental Agency (Department of Fishery, Aquaculture and Water Biodiversity), Local Municipalities from target regions; Environmental NGO’s, Universities, General Public lived in the target region etc. Introductory speech was presented by the Project Coordinator of International Business and Economic Development Center, David Tsiskaridze. He overviewed the project schedule, its partners, target regions, project objectives, project activities and main deliverables to be resulted. He emphasized importance of adoption of the law on Biodiversity in time in terms of requirements of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.

Detailed presentation on implemented, ongoing and envisaged activities within the project was floored by the project expert, Irakli Mikeladze. He summarized content of project activities, results and future expectations. The first action was undertaken in September-October, 2024 related to the field visit to the target regions and surveyd the listed invasive species of the project. The project expert has outlined scope, activities and main deliverables of the IASON project and did focus on capitalization of the results in the project IASON+. He mentioned about publications on negative impacts of invasive species on forestry, meadow, mires, and inland waters’ and Black Sea ecosystems were reviewed. Also harmful effect on human activities was assessed during the speech. Expert went through several national and international regulations.

Zurab Manvelidze – Botanist introduced the historical estimation of invasive species, their impact and nature of surveys developed in Batumi Botanical Garden. He mentioned that invasive species assessments had already been implementing within the protected areas of Ajara including Kolkheti National Park being a part of Kolkheti Lowland. As for Chorokhi Delta, during Soviet Periods Military Polygon was arranged on the area and any of scientific surveys were prohibited. Nevertheless that the area is very important for flora and fauna biodiversity point of view, still there are some unkind ongoing processes related to the overloaded traffic of heavy machines and obtaining the inert materials off the river bed. Consequently, starting the surveys of invasive species would profit development of relevant database and set out mitigation measures. Common methodologies of surveys would contribute to enhance trans boundary interaction and maintain joint approach.

Izolda Machutazde – Scientist, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University – Introduced the presentation on the Ecosystem Services of Kolkheti Lowland. She has outlined existed the Ecosystem Services, IAS impact on ES, challenges and benefits in the target region. Finally, questions were raised amongst audience regarding: the selection of invasive species, wording and meaning of the invasiveness, list of the most harmful invasive species, updating status of invasive species, mitigation measures and recommendations, climate changes directly connected to IAS influence on Ecosystem Services. Particular discussion was opened up on joint approach to the selection of invasive species and monitoring methods. Experts shared their experiences and feedback to each other and accorded for the upcoming cooperation.

Meetings with stakeholders in the target regions

Meeting with Stakeholders in the Department of National Environmental Agency

IBEDC the Project Coordinator, David Tsiskaridze has arranged the project introductory meeting in the Department of Fishery, Aquaculture and Water Biodiversity of National Environmental Agency on September 20th 2024 in Batumi, Georgia. The Project coordinator did the project overview and introduced to Stakeholder about: Project partnership, target regions, project scope, project overall and specific objectives, project activities and main deliverables to be resulted. Meeting was accompanied with representatives of the department. Besides, the work strategy and tentative schedule for the future collaboration/activities was planned.

Meeting with Stakeholders in the Kolkheti National Park

IASON+ Georgian team, the Project Coordinator David Tsiskaridze and Project Expert Irakli Mikeladze have arranged the project introductory meeting in Administration of the Kolkheti National Park on August 02nd 2024 in Poti, Georgia. The Project team did the project overview and introduced to Stakeholder about: Project partnership, target regions, project scope, project overall and specific objectives, project activities and main deliverables to be resulted. Meeting was accompanied with representatives of the Administration of the Kolkheti National Park . Besides, the work strategy and tentative schedule for the future collaboration/activities was planned.

Field Visit in the target regions

IBEDC project team: the Project Coordinator, David Tsiskaridze and Project Expert Irakli Mikeladze have conducted field visits to Chrokhi Delta on 19th of September and 31th October. Journey around Chorokhi Delta was held through deltaic area. Tendency of distribution is an ongoing process in a quickly manner causing the serious threat to the local ecosystem.

Based on baseline studies conducted in the Chorokhi Delta, study areas were identified according to target species and a research plan was developed to study their distribution, invasion hotspots, and ecosystem services.

On 12-13th of November 2024, field visit to Kolkheti National Park(Paliastomi Lake and Katsoburi State Reserve) was conducted with the IASON+ Georgian team, Project Coordinator of International Business and Economic Development Center, David Tsiskaridze and Project Expert Irakli Mikeladze. Meeting was accompanied with the head of the protected area and colleagues working in it. Introductory consultation between the staff and project coordinators took place in the office. Aim of the meeting was to present the Invasive Alien Species(IAS) surveys specification and developing monitoring methodology. Joint approach for implementing the Invasive Alien Species(IAS) monitoring should be arranged. Matching of several methodologies was discussed during the meeting. Each topic step by step was scanned by the meeting attendants. Besides, the work strategy and schedule for the future collaboration/activities was planned.

After the office meeting, journey around Kolkheti National Park was held through the Lake Paliastomi, Pechora River and Katsoburi State Reserve. Expert from the National Park introduced invasive plant species (False indigo-bush - Amorpha fruticosa) spread alongside the river. Tendency of distribution is an ongoing process in a quickly manner causing the serious threat to the local ecosystem. At the end of the meeting arrangement on the further collaboration and starting the monitoring process was agreed.