Abstract
The current status of the agricultural soils in Khorezm is closely linked to their development influenced by past river flows and more recent human-managed irrigation and drainage practices. The initial relief of the Amudarya river delta was formed by ancient channels that carried large amounts of sediments. When irrigation was introduced, sediments started to be deposited on croplands, a process which formed the now spatially distinct features in the topsoils. Today’s landscape of the ancient river delta is thus significantly influenced by human interference. The areas presently used for irrigated agriculture are traversed by a network of irrigation canals, collectors and drains. Long-term irrigation formed a layer of uniform topsoil, referred to as an agro-irrigation horizon, covering a multi-layered alluvium. This chapter provides an impression of the current state of land resources in the irrigated areas of the Khorezm region. We analyzed soil properties based on present and past data; the latter from a period before agriculture expanded and intensified. Soil texture is dominated by silt loam layers together with sandy loams and loams that constitute almost 80% of all soil layers. Organic matter in irrigated soils is low, constituting on average 7.5 g kg−1 (0.75%) in the topsoil layers and decreasing in the deeper layers. Afforestation can increase SOC stocks. Soil microbiological activities reflected in the soil respiration rate were closely linked to soil organic carbon content and revealed considerable carbon accumulation under zero-tillage systems. Soil macrofauna density was highest under vegetation dominated by one tree species, Euphrates poplar (Populus euphratica Oliv.; Salicaceae), but its biodiversity was highest in cultivated sites (and dominated by small predatory arthropods). These results may serve as benchmarks in future monitoring of land use effects on soil quality. Most subsoils in Khorezm are slightly- to medium-saline, whereas the majority of topsoils above 60 cm are strongly saline. Between 1960 and 1990, moderately saline soils increased from 21% to 31%, and highly saline soils, from 6% to 21%.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Decree No. 496 of Cabinet of Ministers from 23.12.2000 on adoption of charter for agricultural lands monitoring.
- 2.
Fixed and mobile dunes with open, psammophytic, shrub-like communities and semi-shrub, succulent plants, as well as tessellated takyr soils with a thin loam crust without vegetation.
- 3.
Planted trees (predominantly Populus ariana and Elaeagnus angustifolia) within a cotton field, for wind erosion protection.
References
Abdullaev II, Khamraev AS, Martius C, Nurjanov AA, Eshchanov RA (2002) Termites (Isoptera) in irrigated and arid landscapes of Central Asia (Uzbekistan). Sociobiology 40(3):605–614
Abrol IP, Yadav JSP, Massoud FI (1988) Salt-affected soils and their management, vol 39, FAO Soils Bulletin. FAO, Rome, p 131
Bobojonov I, Lamers JPA, Djanibekov N, Ibragimov N, Begdullaeva T, Ergashev A, Kienzler K, Eshchanov R, Rakhimov A, Ruzimov J, Martius C (2011) Crop diversification in support of sustainable agriculture in Khorezm. In: Martius C, Rudenko I, Lamers JPA, Vlek PLG (eds) Cotton, water, salts and Soums: economic and ecological restructuring in Khorezm, Uzbekistan. Springer, Dordrecht/Berlin/Heidelberg/New York
Brouwer C, Goffeau A, Heibloem M (1985) Introduction to irrigation. Irrigation water management training manual, 1. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome
Chan KY (2001) An overview of some tillage impacts on earthworm population abundance and diversity – implications for functioning in soils. Soil Tillage Res 57:179–191
Conant RT, Klopatek JM, Klopatek CC (2000) Environmental factors controlling soil respiration in three semiarid ecosystems. Soil Sci Soc Am J 64:383–390
Felitciant IN (1964) Soils of Khorezm province. Soils of Uzbekistan SSR, III. Tashkent, Uzbekistan, pp 133–211
Forkutsa O (2006) Assessing soil-borne CO2 exchange in irrigated cropland of the Aral Sea Basin as affected by soil types and agricultural management. MA dissertation, Bonn University, Bonn
Gajri PR, Arora VK, Prihar SS (2002) Tillage for sustainable cropping. Food Products Press, New York
GKZGK (2009) National report on land resources of Uzbekistan. State Committee on Land Resources, Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre, pp 95
Hbirkou C, Martius C, Khamzina A, Lamers JPA, Welp G, Amelung W (2011) Reducing topsoil salinity and raising carbon stocks through afforestation in Khorezm, Uzbekistan. J Arid Environ 75:146–155
Höfer H, Hanagarth W, Beck L, Garcia M, Martius C, Franklin E, Römbke J (2001) Structure and function of the soil fauna in Amazonian anthropogenic and natural ecosystems. Eur J Soil Biol 37:229–235
Holland JM (2004) The environmental consequences of adopting conservation tillage in Europe: reviewing the evidence. Agric Ecosyst Environ 103:1–25
Huxman TE, Snyder KA, Tissue D, Leffler AJ, Ogle K, Pockman WT, Sanquist DR, Potts DL, Schwining S (2004) Precipitation pulses and carbon fluxes in semiarid and arid ecosystems. Oecologia 141:254–268
Ibrakhimov M, Khamzina A, Forkutsa I, Paluasheva G, Lamers JPA, Tischbein B, Vlek PL, Martius C (2007) Groundwater table and salinity: spatial and temporal distribution and influence on soil salinization in Khorezm region (Uzbekistan, Aral Sea Basin). Irrig Drain Syst 21(3–4):219–236
Insam H (1990) Are the microbial biomass and basal respiration governed by the climatic regime? Soil Biol Biochem 22:525–532
Insam H, Öhlinger R (1996) Ecophysiological parameters. In: Schinner F et al (eds) Methods in soil biology. Springer, Berlin
Khamraev AS, Davenport CF (2004) Identification and control of agricultural plant pests and diseases in Khorezm and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. ZEF Work Papers for Sustainable Development in Central Asia, 8. http://www.khorezm.zef.de/fileadmin/webfiles/downloads/projects/khorezm/downloads/Publications/wps/ZEF-UZ-WP08-Khamraev-Davenport.pdf
Khamzina A, Lamers JPA, Vlek PLG (2011) Conversion of degraded cropland to tree plantations for ecosystem and livelihood benefits. In: Martius C, Rudenko I, Lamers JPA, Vlek PLG (eds) Cotton, water, salts and Soums: economic and ecological restructuring in Khorezm, Uzbekistan. Springer, Dordrecht/Berlin/Heidelberg/New York
Kladivko EJ (2001) Tillage systems and soil ecology. Soil Tillage Res 61:61–76
Krause A (1987) Untersuchungen zur Rolle von Spinnen in Agrarbiotopen. PhD dissertation, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn
Kuziev R (2006) Soil evolution in Khorezm region. Unpublished report, Urgench
Martius C, Römbke J, Verhaagh M, Höfer H, Beck L (2001) Termiten, regenwürmer und ameisen: prägende elemente der bodenfauna tropischer regenwälder. Karlsruhe, Staatliches museum für naturkunde karlsruhe. Adrias 15:15–27
Massucati LFP (2006) Monitoring of soil macrofauna and soil moisture in a cotton field: an assessment of the ecological potential in irrigated agriculture in Central Asia (Khorezm province, Uzbekistan). MA dissertation, Bonn University, Bonn
Nelson DW, Sommers LE (1982) Total carbon, organic carbon and organic matter. In: Page AL, Miller RH, Keeney DR (eds) Methods of soil analysis. American Society of Agronomy, Madison
Paoletti GM (1999) Using bioindicators based on biodiversity to assess landscape sustainability. Agric Ecosyst Environ 74:1–18
Pulatov A, Egamberdiev O, Karimov A, Tursunov M, Kienzler S, Sayre K, Tursunov L, Lamers JPA, Martius C (2011) Introducing conservation agriculture on irrigated meadow alluvial soils (Arenosols) in Khorezm, Uzbekistan. In: Martius C, Rudenko I, Lamers JPA, Vlek PLG (eds) Cotton, water, salts and Soums: economic and ecological restructuring in Khorezm, Uzbekistan. Springer, Dordrecht/Berlin/Heidelberg/New York
Schaefer M, Schauermann J (1990) The soil fauna of beech forests: comparison between a mull and a moder soil. Pedobiologia 34(5):299–314
Scheer C, Tupitsa A, Botman E, Lamers JPA, Worbes M, Wassman R, Martius C, Vlek PLG (2011) Abundance of natural riparian forests and tree plantations in the Amudarya delta of Uzbekistan and their impact on emissions of soil-borne greenhouse gases. In: Martius C, Rudenko I, Lamers JPA, Vlek PLG (eds) Cotton, water, salts and Soums: economic and ecological restructuring in Khorezm, Uzbekistan. Springer, Dordrecht/Berlin/Heidelberg/New York
Shein EV (2009) The particle-size distribution in soils: problems of the methods of study, interpretation of the results, and classification. Eurasian Soil Sci 42:284–291
Sommer R, Djanibekov N, Salaev O (2010) Optimization of land and resource use at farm-aggregated level in the Aral Sea Basin of Uzbekistan with the integrated model FLEOM - model description and first application, ZEF- Discussion Papers On Development Policy No. 139, Center for Development Research, Bonn, July 2010, pp.102. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1650631
Sparling GP (1997) Soil microbial biomass, activity and nutrient cycling as indicators of soil health. In: Pankhurst CE et al (eds) Biological indicators of soil health. CAB International, New York
Stolbovoi V (2000) Soils of Russia: correlated with the revised legend of the FAO soil map of the world and world reference base for soil resources. Research Reports. IIASA, Vienna
Szendrei Z, Weber DC (2009) Response of predators to habitat manipulation in potato fields. Biol Control 50:123–128
Tashkuziev MM (2003) Soils of Khorezm province. Tashkent
Tischbein B, Awan UK, Abdullaev I, Bobojonov I, Conrad C, Forkutsa I, Ibrakhimov M, Poluasheva G (2011) Water management in Khorezm: current situation and options for improvement (hydrological perspective). In: Martius C, Rudenko I, Lamers JPA, Vlek PLG (eds) Cotton, water, salts and Soums: economic and ecological restructuring in Khorezm, Uzbekistan. Springer, Dordrecht/Berlin/Heidelberg/New York
Tolstov SP (1948) Following the tracks of ancient Khorezmian civilization. Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow – Leningrad
Tsvetsinskaya EA, Vainberg BI, Glushko EV (2002) An integrated assessment of landscape evolution, long-term climate variability, and land use in the Amudarya Prisarykamysh delta. J Arid Environ 51:363–381
Tursunov L (1981) Soil conditions of irrigated lands of the western parts of Uzbekistan. Tashkent
Uçkan HS, Okur N (1998) Seasonal changes in soil microbial biomass and enzyme activity in arable and grassland soils. http://www.toprak.org.tr/isd/isd_77.htm
Veile D (1992) Ameisen-Grundzüge der Erfassung und Bewertung. In: Trauter J (ed) Arten- und Biotopschutz in der Planung: methodische Standards zur Erfassung von Tierartengruppen [BVDL- Tagung Bad Wurzach, 9. 10. Nov 1991]. Josef Margraf Verlag, Ökologie In Forschung Und Anwendung 5:177–188, Weikersheim
Vorobyova LA (1998) Khimicheskiy analiz pochv (chemical analysis of soils). Moscow University Press, Moscow
WARMAP, EC-IFAS (1998) Water use and farm management survey (WUFMAS) -agricultural year 1998 – Annual report. Water Resources Management and Agricultural Production in the Central Asian Republics (WARMAP-2); Executive Committee Interstate Fund for the Aral Sea (EC-IFAS); TACIS Project
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Akramkhanov, A., Kuziev, R., Sommer, R., Martius, C., Forkutsa, O., Massucati, L. (2012). Soils and Soil Ecology in Khorezm. In: Martius, C., Rudenko, I., Lamers, J., Vlek, P. (eds) Cotton, Water, Salts and Soums. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1963-7_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1963-7_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-1962-0
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-1963-7
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)