Study of cryptogam species / functional group distribution patterns within the region’s dryland area, identification of species useful as bioindicators of desertification, redlisting of threatened species and identification of areas important for threatened species and their habitat conservation were selected as objectives of the proposed project. Collections of cryptogam specimens from the region’s arid environments are stored at Georgia’s Herbaria and cryptogam checklist is available with major information on species geography and ecology in Georgia; however, absence of a detailed Herbarium database creates difficulties to proper analysis of existing data and identification of collection gaps. For this reason Herbarium database creation is another objective of the project. The Red List of cryptogams of arid habitats of Georgia with accompanying species profiles and maps of Important Cryptogam Areas will be submitted to the relevant governmental body will help to integrate cryptogams in conservation efforts based on habitat conservation approach. Proposals for species identified as likely to be globally threatened will be submitted to IUCN Red List Unit to consider their publication on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Principal investigator: Ketevan Batsatsashvili