Nino Chikhradze

We studied long-term changes in temperature extremes in Georgia against the backdrop of ongoing global warming within 1961–2020. Using observational data from 20 meteorological stations from different physical-geographic regions of the country, we analyzed the main climate temperature indices recommended by the WMO and the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI). Indices characterizing extremely cold and warm conditions (ice days, frost days, summer days, and tropical nights); growing season length; as well as indices of absolute extremes and percentile temperature characteristics were considered. The results show that along the Black Sea coast and the Kolkheti Lowland, changes in temperature indices are less pronounced due to the moderating influence of the sea and humid landscapes; however, a significant increase in the number of tropical nights is observed. In areas with a more continental climate (Eastern Georgia, the South Georgian Highlands, and the mid-mountain zone of the Greater Caucasus), a general decrease in the number of ice days and frost days was observed, along with a simultaneous increase in the number of hot summer days, tropical nights, and growing season length. Tropical nights and percentile temperature indices were found to be the most sensitive to global warming. Overall, the results indicate widespread long-term tendencies consistent with regional manifestations of global warming, characterized by decreases in cold extremes and an expansion of warm indices. However, the statistical robustness and explanatory power of these trends vary substantially across physical-geographical regions and specific indices. Many significant shifts exhibit low coefficients of determination (R² < 0.1), indicating that although long-term warming trajectories are real, local topography and intense interannual natural variability remain the primary drivers of annual temperature fluctuations in Georgia.

The Caucasus region, characterized by its complex topography and diverse climatic regimes, exhibits pronounced spatial variability in temperature and precipitation patterns. This study investigates the seasonal behavior of air temperature, precipitation, vertical temperature gradients, and inversion phenomena across distinct landscape types using observational data from 63 meteorological stations for 1950–2022. Temperature trends were analyzed using linear regression, while vertical lapse rates and inversion layers were assessed based on seasonal temperature–elevation relationships. Precipitation regimes were evaluated through Mann-Kendall trend tests and Sen’s slope estimators. Results reveal that temperature regimes are strongly modulated by landscape type and elevation, with higher thermal variability in montane and subalpine zones. Seasonal temperature inversions are most frequent in spring and winter, especially in western lowlands and enclosed valleys. Precipitation patterns vary markedly across landscapes: humid lowlands show autumn–winter maxima, while arid and semi-arid zones peak in spring or late autumn. Some landscapes exhibit secondary maxima and minima, influenced by Mediterranean cyclones and regional atmospheric stability. Statistically significant trends include increasing cool-season precipitation in humid regions and decreasing spring rainfall in arid areas. These findings highlight the critical role of topography and landscape structure in shaping regional climate patterns and provide a foundation for improved climate modeling, ecological planning, and adaptation strategies in the Caucasus.

Agriculture is the traditional and leading field of economy of Tetritskaro Municipality, but faces the challenge of changing climate. The study investigates male and female farmers’ perception of climate change issues in Tetritskaro, their main source of information, adaptation measures choosen and their needs. Climate change data available in Tetritskaro focused on characteristic extreme weather events coupled with face-to-face interviews from 254 farmers (male - 53%, female - 47%) was analyzed. The study revealed that men and women have more or less similar perceptions of climate change issues. For male farmers, the main source of information on climate, seasonal prediction and weather forecast is conversations with fellow farmers, and for female farmers it is indigenous knowledge of the local environment. Male and female farmers, have adapted to the changes in climate similarly applying measures such as pesticides, fertilizer and irrigation, early sowing, and earlier harvest, while the exchange of information between fellow farmers, use of various hail protection products and crop diversification techniques is more frequent among male farmers. Farmers expressed the need for low interest loans to purchase agricultural products, equipment and restore/create windbreak zones. Most of the male farmers indicate the need for introduction new technologies, while female farmers are more in need of information and training in agricultural activities. The study shows the need for development of climate change adaptation policies and interventions in Tetritskaro. Obtained results can be used not only in other agricultural regions of Georgia, but in other countries with the same problems.

The global climate change, driven by natural processes and increasing human activities, is especially significant for Georgia. The region is experiencing increases in temperature, desertification, redistribution of precipitation, and a rise in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Georgia’s complex topography and its proximity to the Black and Caspian seas make it essential to employ high-resolution regional climate models to evaluate future climate change risks. In this study, we examine the results of a high-resolution simulation of mean and extreme precipitation and temperature using the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics Regional Climate Model version 4.7.1 for the period 1985–2008, providing an initial evaluation of the model’s performance for the territory of Georgia. The model domain (1524 km; 2388 km) encompasses the entirety of Georgia’s territory and surrounding regions. The simulation, conducted at a 12 km horizontal grid spacing using ERA5 data as boundary conditions, indicates that the least discrepancy between observed and modeled average annual temperatures and precipitation, falling within a −1 to 1 °C and −200 to 200 mm range, respectively, was observed at most stations of eastern Georgia. The largest disparities between the model and observed average annual precipitation totals were noted along the Black Sea coast, in the Kolkheti Lowland, and in some high mountain stations in western Georgia. The most significant differences in average annual temperatures between the model and observations were observed in Ambrolauri, Mt. Sabueti, and Dedoplistskaro. For Georgia territory, such a long run with such a high resolution using ERA5 as boundary conditions was conducted for the first time. Overall, the modeling results are quite satisfactory, providing a solid basis for the successful utilization of the regional climate model RegCM4.7.1 with the selected parameterization for modeling monthly mean and extreme temperatures and precipitation in Georgia.

In this study we present what environment and infrastructure factors should be considered when evaluating geographical accessibility to medical services in developing countries.Access to medical services is a versatile and complex concept and includes geographical, temporal, financial and other factors. Geographical factors are considered as the basis for access to medical services. Geographical access to medical services means deployment of medical institutions within certain radius or time required for travel to the medical institution and the number of services compared to the number of potential customers. The World Health Organization gives preference to the travel time needed to reach the service compared to the distance to evaluate geographical accessibility.As a rule, while researching the geographical access to medical services in the world, it is generally accepted that every person is in the same average travel conditions and has appropriate transportation means. A change in the travel time, such as weather conditions, road and transport availability and other variable factors, are not taken into consideration.However, under the global warming conditions, the frequency and intensity of extreme hydrometeorological events are significantly increased and are likely to be increased further in future. Rain, snowfall, extreme temperature, hurricanes, etc. create emergencies, affect travel time and, thus, hamper geographical access. Moreover, in high mountainous regions, there are frequent landslides, mudflows, rockfalls, avalanches, etc. Developed countries are more willing to respond to such challenges and are quick to react. However, it is a significant problem in developing countries and often the rural areas are torn apart and isolated for many hours and even whole winter.Thus, when evaluating geographical accessibility to medical service in developing countries it is crucial to take into account the risks of extreme geological and hydrometeorological phenomena on the roads, availability of road infrastructure, transport system. This approach will enable detailed modelling of real problems and their inclusion in the health care development plan. This can bring significant social-economic benefits.This work was supported by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (SRNSFG), Grant № FR-19-14993.

Based on the complex studies (geographical-geological, karst-speleological, and geophysical studies), conducted by the authors in the study area, karst forms such as sinkholes and ponors were identified, the width (2-17 m) of the Quaternary deposits located on the limestones were determined, the average and maximum discharges of the streams flowing on the bottom of the hollow were calculated. Studies have also shown that relatively heavy rains and snowmelt periodically flood the relatively low, western part of the hollow and create a temporary lake that soon dries up through the ponors at the bottom of the hollow, where the water stream are discharged. The closed shape of the Turchu hollow the limestone bottom covered with Quaternary deposits and the events described above indicate the corrosive origin of the hollow, which has been practically confirmed by our georadiological and electrometric studies. It is notable that the role of tectonic movements in the origin of the hollow along with the corrosive processes, which had a periodic character, and together with the uplifting of the area caused the lowering of the levels of underground waters and, consequently, the activation of karst processes.

We are all dependent on water. We need it every day, in so many ways. We need it to stay healthy; we need it for growing food, for transportation, irrigation and industry. Under the existing trend of climatic change, serious problems will occur accompanying the intensive migratory processes of the population living in the arid regions. The main goals of the project was increasing local population’s participation in decision-making process on ecological issues by raising their awareness on irrigation water pollution issues, reinforcing them to participate in investigation of the problem in frames of the project, and supporting them to impact on local water resource management policy.