PROBLEM OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRIES: A CASE STUDY FOR GEORGIA

N. A. Begalishvili, N. I. Beradze, B. Sh. Beritashvili, G. I. Kordzakhia, G. L. Lazriev, and T. I. Turmanidze

The main results of research on climate change carried out for the last decade in Georgia in the framework of the National Climate Change Program and Initial National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change are presented. The inventory of greenhouse gases has been conducted for the period of 1980—1997. The features of changes in the air temperature, precipitation, circulation processes, regime of the Great Caucasus glaciers, and water content of the main rivers of Georgia for the period of 1906—1995 were examined. The increase in mean annual temperature of 0.5—0.6ºC is found for Eastern Georgia along with its decrease of 0.2—0.3ºC in the western part of the country. The mosaic structure of precipitation changes is determined. The response of different types of natural landscapes to the current regional climate change is established. The vulnerability of natural ecosystems, agriculture, and the Black Sea coastal zone are studied. Some adaptation measures are offered to mitigate the anticipated adverse consequences of climate change.