The Aralkum, a Man-Made Desert on the Desiccated Floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia): Final Conclusions and Comments

Abstract

The Aral Sea no longer exists. Within about 50 years a huge new desert has developed: the Aralkum. Public awareness of this area has grown considerably in the last few years. The abiotic dynamics in the area is demonstrated by 3 chapters ( Chap. 2, 3, 4). The problems of the local sandstorms (Chap. 5, 7, 15), threatening villages and infrastructure, is tackled in 3 chapters. Use of remote sensing in the area is shown by Chap 6. The biotic dynamics, the flora and vegetation cover, as well as the already rich fauna of the Aralkum is demonstrated by 4 chapters (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13). Problems of nature conservation in the Aralkum region are described in Chap. 14. The strongly necessary phytomelioration was tested by huge experimental plantings (Chap. 15 – 17) and has shown that only very few species are suitable for this purpose: Haloxylon aphyllum and Halocnemum strobilaceum. Some other species still need to be tested accordingly. Some important data and basic scientific knowledge is brought together in an interdisciplinary and international approach by scientists not only from ecology and geography, but also from social science and economy. In order to improve the regional situation the cooperation of nature conservation organizations, developmental and health agencies, and other main stakeholders of the area, with administration and decisionmakers, regional and national politicians is an urgent need (Chap. 18). The Aralkum is a focal point for combatting desertification on many levels.