Download The baseline study on the present status of the Samur

The baseline study on the present status of the Samur-Yalama National Park of Azerbaijan
Republic by landscape planning method
Mammadov R.M. and Jafarova N.R.
Institute of Geography ANAS,
[email protected]
The objective of the baseline study was identify the present status of the region foreseen for the future
Protected Area (PA), concerning all geographic, ecological, socio-cultural and legal aspects relevant for
the proposed PA, and creating a base line for follow up activities of the project during and after
implementation.
The compiled data and information about flora and fauna, especially forest cover and species, as well as
land use will serve for refining of the boundaries of the future protected area, of the possible support zone
surrounding this area, and as a basis for the more detailed elaboration of a management plan for the future
protected area and support zones programs with special focus on adapted agricultural and tourist
activities.
Landscape characteristics of area. After field researches, a 1:25.000 scale map of natural landscapes of
the area and tourism-recreation potential was elaborated. During the classification of landscapes local
landscape unit was chosen as the smallest unit of landscape, followed by half type and tipper. In the area
four main types of landscape have been identified. Their physical-geographical characteristics are detailed
below: a) Forest landscape, b)Forest-shrubbery vegetation covers alluvial-proluvial and alluvial sea
plains, c) Littoral landscapes cover the areas near the coast line partly on alluvial deposits, d) Coastal
wetlands cover a smaller territory in the area.
Climatic characteristics. The climate of the project area is characterised by dry, warm summers and
mild winters.The total annual amount of solar radiation due to the high level of cloudiness varies between
122-124 kkals/m2. During the warm period of year (April - September) the amount of total solar radiation
is of 88-90 kkals/m². During the cold period of the year (October-March) the total solar radiation is 32-36
kkals/m2. The photosynthetic active radiation is varying between 62-64 kkals/m² during a year. The
amount of sunny hours is 1,800-2,000 during the year. The least sunny hours (50 hours) are in February,
the highest number is in July (270 hours). Climate and agro-climate map of the SYNP project area was
developed.
Soil types. Soils of the land of the project area for SYNP have developed in the Samur-Devechi lowland.
There are meadow-brown, irrigated meadow-brown, alluvial-meadow-forest and irrigated alluvialmeadow-forest soils types. Local factors played a great role in forming of these soil types, as well as
alluvial sediments and underground waters. In addition, the micro-relief to the area has some importance
on the development of soil types. Due to the density of small river flows in the area and frequent local
flooding, the soils of the area were formed under special environmental conditions. Maps showing the soil
types were produced in scale 1:25,000.
Also maps of forests, vegetation and social-economic situation on the territory by GIS were produced.
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]