Assessment of the ecological status of phytobenthos along the Black Sea coast of Georgia based on national environmental agency data for 2021 and 2023

Givi Gavardashvili; Konstantine Bziava; Adem Yavuz Sönmez; Tamriko Supatashvili; Sopio Modebadze

doi:10.33714/masteb.1782629

Assessment of the ecological status of phytobenthos along the Black Sea coast of Georgia based on national environmental agency data for 2021 and 2023

Abstract

This study evaluates the ecological status of phytobenthic (benthic algal) communities along the Georgian Black Sea coast using monitoring data collected in 2021 and 2023 by the National Environmental Agency of Georgia. Monitoring encompassed multiple coastal sites representing a gradient from relatively undisturbed natural areas to urbanized and port-affected zones. Phytobenthic communities were assessed using standard bioindicator indices that integrate species richness, community structure, and the proportion of pollution-tolerant versus sensitive taxa. Results revealed clear spatial patterns: natural sites maintained high species richness and structural complexity, whereas urban and port-impacted areas exhibited reduced biodiversity, simplified community composition, and dominance of tolerant green algae. The decline of sensitive red and brown algae in impacted zones indicates localized eutrophication processes. Phytobenthos proved effective as bioindicators, reflecting both short-term pressures and longer-term ecological trends. These findings highlight the importance of conserving high biodiversity refugia, controlling nutrient inputs, and implementing management strategies to mitigate anthropogenic pressures. This research contributes to harmonized regional monitoring approaches and provides a scientific basis for sustainable management of Georgian Black Sea coastal ecosystems.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Marine and Estuarine Ecology, Ecological Impacts of Climate Change and Ecological Adaptation

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Givi Gavardashvili
0000-0001-5289-3830
Georgia

Konstantine Bziava ^*
0000-0003-1237-5224
Georgia

Adem Yavuz Sönmez
0000-0002-7043-1987
Türkiye

Tamriko Supatashvili
0000-0001-5785-2755
Georgia

Sopio Modebadze
0009-0003-5508-2867
Georgia

Publication Date

September 30, 2025

Submission Date

September 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 29, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 14 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1782629

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA26EF56DU

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Gavardashvili, G., Bziava, K., Sönmez, A. Y., Supatashvili, T., & Modebadze, S. (2025). Assessment of the ecological status of phytobenthos along the Black Sea coast of Georgia based on national environmental agency data for 2021 and 2023. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, 14(3), 155-164. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1782629

AMA

1.Gavardashvili G, Bziava K, Sönmez AY, Supatashvili T, Modebadze S. Assessment of the ecological status of phytobenthos along the Black Sea coast of Georgia based on national environmental agency data for 2021 and 2023. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2025;14(3):155-164. doi:10.33714/masteb.1782629

Chicago

Gavardashvili, Givi, Konstantine Bziava, Adem Yavuz Sönmez, Tamriko Supatashvili, and Sopio Modebadze. 2025. “Assessment of the Ecological Status of Phytobenthos Along the Black Sea Coast of Georgia Based on National Environmental Agency Data for 2021 and 2023”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 14 (3): 155-64. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1782629.

EndNote

Gavardashvili G, Bziava K, Sönmez AY, Supatashvili T, Modebadze S (September 1, 2025) Assessment of the ecological status of phytobenthos along the Black Sea coast of Georgia based on national environmental agency data for 2021 and 2023. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 14 3 155–164.

IEEE

[1]G. Gavardashvili, K. Bziava, A. Y. Sönmez, T. Supatashvili, and S. Modebadze, “Assessment of the ecological status of phytobenthos along the Black Sea coast of Georgia based on national environmental agency data for 2021 and 2023”, Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull., vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 155–164, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.33714/masteb.1782629.

ISNAD

Gavardashvili, Givi - Bziava, Konstantine - Sönmez, Adem Yavuz - Supatashvili, Tamriko - Modebadze, Sopio. “Assessment of the Ecological Status of Phytobenthos Along the Black Sea Coast of Georgia Based on National Environmental Agency Data for 2021 and 2023”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 14/3 (September 1, 2025): 155-164. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1782629.

JAMA

1.Gavardashvili G, Bziava K, Sönmez AY, Supatashvili T, Modebadze S. Assessment of the ecological status of phytobenthos along the Black Sea coast of Georgia based on national environmental agency data for 2021 and 2023. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2025;14:155–164.

MLA

Gavardashvili, Givi, et al. “Assessment of the Ecological Status of Phytobenthos Along the Black Sea Coast of Georgia Based on National Environmental Agency Data for 2021 and 2023”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, vol. 14, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 155-64, doi:10.33714/masteb.1782629.

Vancouver

1.Givi Gavardashvili, Konstantine Bziava, Adem Yavuz Sönmez, Tamriko Supatashvili, Sopio Modebadze. Assessment of the ecological status of phytobenthos along the Black Sea coast of Georgia based on national environmental agency data for 2021 and 2023. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2025 Sep. 1;14(3):155-64. doi:10.33714/masteb.1782629