This volume is a collection of reports presented at the International
NATO Advanced Research Workshop Conservation of the Biological Diversity
as a Prerequisite for Sustainaible Development of the Black Sea Region.
The seminar was held at Batumi - Kobuleti, Georgia, on the Black Sea
during October 5 -12, 1996 with participants from the countries of the
Black Sea Region -Georgia, Russia, the Ukraine, Turkey, Bulgaria,
Romania, as well as Germany, Italy and the United States of America. The
Black Sea Region is an essential and unique part of southern Europe
because of its geographical, cultural and historical features. It is the
cradle of European civilisation, together with Greece and Rome. For
centuries it neighboured onto and interacted with the cultures of the
northern and southern Mediterranean, the Christian and Moslim worlds,
and was the route of conquerors and migrations of whole nations. Here
are closely interwoven the cultures and customs of nations, economic and
trade relations, the history of wars and civilised relations of
neighbouring countries.