Impact of the drying out of the Aral Sea on land degradation and its implication on the agricultural production in Uzbekistan | |
| Author | Motorina, Mariya |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.NR-09-02 |
| Subject(s) | Land degradation--Aral Sea (Uzbekistan and Kazakhtan) Crop--Effect of salts on---Aral Sea (Uzbekistan and Kazakhtan) Agricultural productivity--Aral Sea (Uzbekistan and Kazakhtan) |
| Note | Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Natural Resources Management, School of Environment, Resource and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Research studies project report ; no. NR-09-02 |
| Abstract | The territory of Central Asian states that comprises of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is a subject of intensive environmental degradation, the most acute of which is the Aral Sea recession, also known as environmental catastrophe of global importance. Shortfalls in irrigated agriculture development coupled with the population growth are the main causes of this catastrophe. Thus, the "systematically" erroneous agrarian development during last 30 years resulted in degradation of the Aral Sea. Economic development strategies led to the ecological catastrophe - drying out of the Aral Sea. That has led to severe ecosystems degradation, worsened the population health, reduction in the agriculture effectiveness, increase of salinity level and land resources degradation in the region. The transfer of the salts and dust from the dried bottom of the Sea can also lead to dangerous consequences. About 75 million tons of salts and dust are transferred by winds to hundreds of kilometers to the surrounding areas annually. In this regard, this study examines the impact of the drying up of the Aral Sea on land degradation and its implication on agricultural production in Uzbekistan. The study revealed that the Aral Sea dry out led to increase the salinity level in the country by 7%. This in turn resulted in situation when annually around 20 thousand hectares of land is removed from agriculture sector. Analysis of cotton yield data shows the tendency of decline in a harvest mainly due to the increase in salinity level. Taking into account all above the remedy actions should aim at carrying out the afforestation measures more intensively as a first aid for retention of the salt dust from the bottom of the sea. Moreover, there is a need in applying a crop rotation policy for sustenance of the soil fertility |
| Year | 2009 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Research studies project report ; no. NR-09-02 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shrestha, Rajendra P.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Schmidt-Vogt, Dietrich;Shipin, Oleg; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP); |
| Degree | Research Studies Project Report (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2009 |