Earth Sciences 2017; 6(5-1): 93-110 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/earth doi: 10.11648/j.earth.s.2017060501.24 ISSN: 2328-5974 (Print); ISSN: 2328-5982 (Online) Spatial Analysis Used in Baseline Study for the Preparation of Management Plan of Kazbegi Protected Areas Tamar Bakuradze 1, * , Andrei Kandaurov 2, * , Marine Mosulishvili 3, * , Dali Nikolaishvili 4, * , Mamuka Gvilava 1, * , Sophiko Kenkebashvili 1, * 1 GIS and Remote Sensing Consulting Center “GeoGraphic”, Tbilisi, Georgia 2 Institute of Zoology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia 3 Institute of Botanic, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia 4 Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU), Tbilisi, Georgia Email address: tbakuradze@geographic.ge (T. Bakuradze), a.s.kandaurov@gmail.com (A. Kandaurov), marine_mosulishvili@iliauni.edu.ge (M. Mosulishvili), dali.nikolaishvili@tsu.ge (D. Nikolaishvili), mgvilava@geographic.ge (M. Gvilava), sopo@geographic.ge (S. Kenkebashvili) * Corresponding author To cite this article: Tamar Bakuradze, Andrei Kandaurov, Marine Mosulishvili, Dali Nikolaishvili, Mamuka Gvilava, Sophiko Kenkebashvili. Spatial Analysis Used in Baseline Study for the Preparation of Management Plan of Kazbegi Protected Areas. Earth Sciences. Special Issue: New Challenge for Geography: Landscape Dimensions of Sustainable Development. Vol. 6, No. 5-1, 2017, pp. 93-110. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.s.2017060501.24 Received: August 4, 2017; Accepted: August 7, 2017; Published: August 23, 2017 Abstract: Collected data were separated in three generalized subsystem: environment (its main elements: air, land and water) as an Abiotic subsystems; flora and fauna, as the elements of a Biotic subsystem and Cultural environment, as a third subsystem, with its historical-cultural heritage and existing infrastructure. Interpretation and evaluation of the data were made for each component (Abiotic, Biotic and Cultural) through the use of criteria of significance and description of constraints (limiting factors) which were elaborated under the project SPPA/CS/2015-5/RE1. In parallel with the studies, the structure of GIS geodatabase for the protected area was created, which consists of both base map features – GIS layers, and thematic part. The base map scale is 1:25k, the scale of thematic maps is 1:50k. Based on the study results, the recommendations were developed: on the issues of the protected area category relevance, internal zoning, use of natural resources, biodiversity protection and monitoring. These recommendations will assist in the management plan preparation process, in order to accurately define the objectives of protected area and to properly design the work of the management and staff of the protected area. Keywords: Protected Areas, Functional-Territorial Planning of Protected Areas, Zoning, Zone, ABC Method, Abiotic, Biotic, Cultural Subsystems, Spatial Analysis, GIS Model 1. Introduction Under the framework of the “Support Programme for Protected Areas in the Caucasus – Georgia” (BMZ-N 2008.6582.4) with “GFA Consulting Group” representation in Georgia and Legal Entity of Public Law (LEPL) Agency of Protected Areas (APA) under the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia was implemented “Baseline Studies on Four – Algeti, Kazbegi, Kintrishi and Pshav-Khevsureti Protected Areas” project (SPPA/CS/2015-5/RE1). The study was implemented by GIS and Remote Sensing Consulting Center “Geographic”. The objective of the overall project was to increase the efficiency of the management of four selected Protected Areas (PAs) and to improve the social-economic conditions of the adjacent local communities. The aim of the four PAs baseline study was - based on the results of the research, to develop recommendations on the issues of the protected area category relevance, boundary delimitation, internal zoning, natural resources use,