ASSESING THE IMPACT OF ANTROPOGENIC FACTOR ON THE ECOSYSTEMS OF THE PALIASTOMI LAKE REGION

Abstract

The ecological problem of the Paliastomi Lake is caused by anthropogenic factor. Due to its distinctive natural conditions, the Paliastomi Lake area has never been densely populated by humans, although small early settlements date back to the Bronze Age. The insignificant population density did not lead to a radical change in the ecological condition, therefore, the development of landscapes took place in a naturally conditioned ecological environment. From 1860s, the intensive development of the Paliastomi Lake region began, which was caused by the growth of the population of the city of Poti, construction of Poti Port, and intensive drying up of the swamps around the Paliastomi Lake. In 1920s-1930s, the ecological condition of the Paliastomi Lake was further aggravated by the construction of the Rioni River canal, the drying up of swamps, the extraction of peat, as well as the alignment of the Pichori River Basin – a main tributary of the Paliastomi Lake. Changes in the landscapes of the Paliastomi Lake region as a result of various agricultural activities are also observed in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.