Çamilhemsin Valley, near Trabzon, Turkey Photograph by Jeffrey England   Palaearctic Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests   28,700 square miles (74,400 square kilometers) -- about the size of South Carolina Critical/Endangered

· Center of Plant Diversity
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Center of Plant Diversity

The outstanding natural beauty of this region is matched only by its high level of biological richness. Lush valleys with moss covered trees and numerous fast-flowing streams characterize the north slopes of the Daglari Mountains in Turkey. This region, together with the swampy broadleaf forests of the Colchic lowland, can boast 130 endemic species of plants and animals. Many plant species are ancient relicts, and are thought to be descendents of ancient boreal Tertiary period flora that once covered a large part of temperate Eurasia.

Special Features

Plants and animals flourish in the abundant rainfall and mild temperatures here.

Most of the region receives over 40 inches (1000 mm) per year with almost 100 inches (2500 mm) falling in the Colchic lowlands. Hornbeam, beech, and sweet chestnut forests, coastal maritime pine forests, and alder woodland are among the most important forest types. Floristically rich alder forests (Alnus barbata) are especially characteristic of the abundant swampy lowlands. They have a rich understory of ferns and vines. Wing-nut (Pterocrya pterocarpa), lowland oaks (Quercus imeretina), and white poplars (Populus alba) grow along the many rivers and streams in unique riparian forests.

	Over 200 dinosaur tracks have been discovered at Sataplia Reserve in west central Georgia. The largest tracks have a diameter of 19 inches (48 cm). Scientists think their body length must have been nearly 20 feet (6 m) and their weight about 30 tons (30,000 kg).

Wild Side

Numerous wetlands, which include peat bogs, marshes, swamps and coastal salt marshes of the Colchic region attract many birds, and of course, bird-watchers. There are five species of heron, osprey, gadwall, white-tailed eagle, and the rare Dalmatian pelican, among many others. Two wetlands in Colchida are so important for waterfowl and wetland species that they have been designated as RAMSAR sites--and given official protection. Bear and wolf are rare but do frequent the area from time to time. You are more likely to see wild boar, hedgehog, fox, jackal, badger, or some of the many species of colorful butterfly. Don’t step on the Caucasus viper though. It’s a rare endemic snake with a venomous bite!

Cause for Concern

Unfortunately many of these forests, especially in Georgia (the country), have been drastically reduced due to human activity. They have been either logged or cleared for tea, citrus, and tobacco cultivation. Weed species, often introduced to the area, have spread aggressively and often overrun native species. Low montane forests of northeast Anatolia are more intact due to their relative inaccessibility. The commercial collection of bulbs is a threat to some native bulb species, including Scilla, Galanthus, Lilium, and Cyclamen. Peat cutting and mining are problematic in certain locations as well.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.