Application of Climatic and Vegetation Indicators for Zoning the Subtropics of Abkhazia

An analysis of the natural and climatic characteristics of the Abkhaz subtropics has been carried out, showing that no other region has a climate similar to that of Abkhazia. There are differences in one or more parameters everywhere. Based on the results of the studies, the concept of “subtropics” has become more specific. The Abkhaz subtropics can be considered as an independent geographical territory with certain natural and climatic characteristics inherent in the subtropics. An important feature of the subtropics is their transitional position between zones with tropical and temperate climates. Based on climatic and vegetation indicators, Abkhazia has been divided into regions. Territories where heat-loving plants grow have been used as one of the most important indicators for defining boundaries. The subtropics of Abkhazia include territories where the air temperature from − 8 to − 10 °C occurs no more than once every 6–10 years, while certain species of subtropical plants retain their vegetation period and the sum of annual temperatures is not lower than 2500 °C. A temperature of + 5 °C, at which year-round agricultural work is possible, is conventionally taken as the temperature of the northernmost border of the subtropical zone of Abkhazia.