The Natural Resource Potential of landscapes in the Lechkhumi Region (Tsageri Municipality)

To study a region's natural capital, it is important to classify and describe local landscapes, which, depending on the area they are found in, have different characteristics and vary in terms of natural resources. The mountainous region of Lechkhumi (Tsageri Municipality) has been selected for this purpose. Along with relevant literary sources, the research draws on cartographic material, the landscape maps (1970, 1983) of Georgia and Transcaucasia, and the topographic map (1:50000) as well as on observation records made during the 2022 field expedition in Lechkhumi. Geo-informative system of Lechkhumi landscapes has been created by GIS technology. The large scale (1: 50 000) landscape map of Lechkhumi region has been made, where landscapes are shown on the level of landscape species. The paper describes the region's individual natural assets as well as the natural resources available in selected landscapes. Data on mineral, climate, agroclimatic, soil and forest resources are provided in the tables and diagrams. The synclinical depression in Racha with river terraces (Tskhenistskali, Rioni, Lajanuri) and humus-carbonate soils on the southern slope of the Lechkhumi Ridge (450-750 m above sea level) provide a favourable micro zone for the cultivation of grapevine species (Usakhelauri, Tsolikauri, Orbeli Ojaleshi red and Tskhvediani white) used in the production of the widely known naturally semi sweet Usakhelouri, Tvishi, Ojaleshi red and white wines.