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Authors: Mabutt J.A., Floret C. (eds.)
Title: Case Studies on Desertification
Publisher: Natural Resources Research XVIII, UNESCO/UNEP/UNDP, 280 pp.
| Date: 1980 | Language: English |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, WGiSR UW Warsaw |
| Classification: | 5A2, 5C1-2, 5D1a-b, 5D1e, 5D2b |
| Region: | Global, ex-Soviet Union, Turkmenistan |
| Summary: | This text consists of
regional studies on desertification, and preventive
measures. For the entire ex-Soviet Union, only two brief
studies were prepared by the government: measures for
combating desertification in the Golodnaïa Steppe
(Steppe of Hunger, Turkmenistan, pp. 265-267), and
methods of controlling desertification in Turkmenistan
(pp. 267-269). The two papers cover the following
subjects: irrigation, population increase, development of
cereal cultivation and animal production. 23,000 ha of
the Golodnaïa Steppe were irrigated prior to 1929, and
600,000 ha towards the end of the 1970's. New projects in
irrigation development are planned. Irrigation in
Turkmenistan is connected to the Karakumy Canal (900 km
in length, rate of flow of 400 m3/sec,
supplemented by 2,000 km of lesser canals). It is
"the largest desert hydrotechnical project in the
world" (p. 267). Its success depends largely on the
central planning of irrigation (p. 267) and the size of
agricultural operations (surface areas of state animal
production: from 27,000 to 670,000 ha). Sand dune fixation: 1951-1968: 140,000 ha, 1971-1975: 300,000 ha, 1976-1980 (planned): 330,000 ha. |
Note: There is a French version entitled: "Etude de cas de la désertification."
Authors: Plisak R.P., Ogar' N.P., Sultanova B.M.
Title: Produktivnost' i struktura lugov pustynnoï zony (The Productivity and the Structure of Prairies in the Desert Zone)
Publisher: Akademiïa Naouk Kazakhskoï SSR. Institut Botaniki - "Naouka" Kazakhskoï SSR (Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan. Botanical Institute - "Naouka" of Kazakhstan), Alma Ata, 188 pp.
| Date: 1989 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | KR FAK Alma Ata |
| Classification: | 2A3, 2B2b, 3C3, 4A2 |
| Region: | Kazakhstan |
| Summary: | A detailed description is presented of prairies in the valleys of the desert zone (natural environment, floristic composition, productivity). Factors of change in these prairies are given, particularly desertification caused by human action. The 5 stages of desertification are described in plains located in river deltas (pp. 71-73: degradation of water conditions, decrease in productivity); the length of time of each stage of desertification and the time necessary for the regeneration of vegetation once conditions return to normal are also presented. Charts show the changes in the floristic composition during the salinization process. The decrease in productivity due to desertification is presented in detail (pp. 92-152). It has fallen from 10,668 to 848 g/m2; the pastoral potential has diminished 30 times and more (p. 152); however, the root biomass decreases more slowly. |
Recommendations: pp. 153-165: increase in and improved management of stream flows, controlled fires, improvement in agricultural techniques.
Author: Poliïenko V.G.
Title: Razvitiïe sïel'skogo khozïaïstva i problïemy opustynivaniïa v rïegionïe ESKATO (Agricultural Development and Problems of Desertification in the Countries of Asia and the Pacific)
Publisher: Problïemy osvoïeniïa pustyn', N° 4, pp. 3-10, Ashkhabad
| Date: 1986 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, KR FAK Alma Ata, WGiSR UW Warsaw, UAM Poznan |
| Classification: | 1D, 2B1, 3C |
| Region: | Countries of Asia and the Pacific |
| Summary: | The region studied, Asia and
the Pacific, covers 31 million km3, or 23%, of
the total area of continents (excluding Antarctica); in
1984 this region had 2.4 billion inhabitants, or 53% of
the total world population. Although large areas of this
region are affected by desertification (2.2 billion ha,
including 440 million ha which are very affected), this
area plays an important role in world food production.
The chief factors which influence desertification in this
region are the destruction of forests, the salinization
of soil, the formation of ponds and wetlands by
infiltration, wind and water erosion, and the degradation
of rangelands. The study of human factors in desertification is of primary importance for combating the negative effects of the relation between man and ecosystems. The problem of desertification caused by human activities was an important issue of the UN Conference on Desertification. |
Current conditions and forecast of ecological parameters in countries of Asia and the Pacific
South Asia |
East and Southeast Asia |
Pacific |
||||
1960-1980 |
1980-2000 |
1960-1980 |
1980-2000 |
1960-1980 |
1980-2000 |
|
| Forests | ||||||
| Afforestation | ¯ | | ¯ | ¯ ¯ | ¯ | ¯ |
| Extinction of Species | | | | | | |
| Irrigation and droughts | | | | | | |
| Soil use | ||||||
| Soil erosion | | | | | | |
| Salinization | | | | | ||
| Degradation of rangelands | | | | | | |
| Degradation of health conditions in the agricultural population | ||||||
| Illnesses caused by pesticides | | | | | | |
| Malaria and bhilarzia | | | | | ||
increase
¯ decrease
strong increase
¯ ¯
strong decrease
Author: Programa de las Naciones Unidos pare el Medio Ambiente (PNUMA). Comisión de la URSS de los Asuntos de PNUMA
Title: Colonización de los territorios aridos y lucha contra la desertification: enfoque integral (Colonization of arid lands and combating desertification: the integrated approach)
Publisher: PNUMA (UNEP) - Comisión de la URSS de los asuntos de PNUMA, Moscow, 156 pp.
| Date: 1987 | Language: Spanish (English and French versions also exist) |
| Available: | IG RAN Moscow |
| Classification: | 1C-D, 2A, 2B1, 2B2b, 2B2c, 2B2d, 2B2h, 4A-D, 5A, 5C-D |
| Region: | Global, including three regions of Central Asia and the Kalmyk Republic (to the west of the Caspian Sea) |
| Summary: | Twenty-one articles are grouped into 4 large chapters: a) Natural and socio-economic aspects of desertification (8 articles, 7 of which were prepared by Soviet researchers; natural resources and various types of human activity in the arid regions of the globe, general views); b) World-wide experience in combating desertification (10 articles including 3 by Soviet researchers; land degradation and combating desertification in Africa [particularly in the Maghreb, the Sahel and Tanzania], the Middle East, South Asia [particularly India], Latin America, the United States, and Australia); c) The Soviet experience in reclaiming arid regions following the principles of integrated development (2 articles, one giving very general ideas and the other consisting of 4 case studies: the "black lands" of the Kalmyk, Golodnaïa Stïep' (the Steppe of Hunger), the Karakumy Canal, Tajikistan; successes in development are emphasized); d) The integrated approach to the economic development of arid lands (1 article written by Soviet researchers; stages in the preparation of programmes of integrated regional development). |
Stages in the preparation of programmes of integrated regional development:
Structure of the diagram of regional development and stages of its formation:
A - limits of the region and its national importance; B - Objectives for development at the national level; C - Item of information; D - Definition of objectives; E - Analysis of current conditions and definition of principal problems; F - Forecast of main trends of environmental and economic transformation; G - Expected resources; H - Preparation, evaluation and alternative choices for development; J - Preparation of integrated programmes.
1 - economic objectives; 2 - social objectives; 3 - ecological objectives; 4 - economy; 5 population and human resources; 6 - infrastructure of production and technology; 7 - system of land use; 8 - system of population distribution; 9 - specific crops; 10 - level of the population's supplies of provisions; 11 - natural conditions and resources; 12 - unfavourable natural phenomena; 13 - effects of human action on the environment; 14 - limits of the region covered; 15 - definition of regional objectives; 16 - estimation of the level of development of the region; 17 material resources; 18 - human resources; 19 - land resources; 20 - human and social potential; 21 - mineral and raw material resources; 22 water resources; 23 - biological resources; 24 energy resources; 25 - level of development of the region in relation to existing resources; 26 principal trends in economic development; 27 - principal trends in social development; 28 principal trends in the transformation of the environment; 29 - options for economic development; 30 - options for social development; 31 - options for the guided change of the environment; 32 - evaluation of options and optimal choice; 33 - integrated programme of economic development; 34 - integrated prograrnme of infrastructure development; 35 development of an integrated programme of a system of population distribution; 36 - integrated programme of social development; 37 - integrated programme of the protection and improvement of the environment; 38 - specific programme relating to supplies of provisions of the population of the region; 39 - specific programme for combating desertification,; 40 - other directed programmes; 41 - sub-programme of regional development; 42 - preparation of organizational and technical means for the practical application of these prograrnmes.
Author: Pryde P.R.
Title: Environmental Management in the Soviet Union
Publisher: Cambridge Soviet Paperbacks, Cambridge University Press, 314 pp.
| Date: 1991 | Language: English |
| Available: | private collections |
| Classification: | 2A1, 2A4, 2B2g-h, 2B2f, 4B |
| Region: | Plains of southern Russia, southwestern Siberia, Kazakhstan, Aral Sea |
| Summary: | This book covers a wide
variety of problems relating to the degradation of the
natural environment in the ex-Soviet Union, from the
protection of nature reserves to Chernobyl. Problems of
desertification are discussed in two chapters.
|
Author: Rafikov A.A.
Title: K prognozirovaniïu protsïessov opustynivaniïa iuzhnogo Priaral'ïa (Forecast for the desertification process in the area south of the Aral Sea)
Publisher: Problïemy osvoïeniïa pustyn', N° 5, pp. 42-48, Ashkhabad
| Date: 1985 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, KR FAK Alma Ata, WGiSR UW Warsaw, UAM Poznan |
| Classification: | 1B, 2B2e, 2B2f |
| Region: | South of the Aral Sea, Uzbekistan |
| Summary: | Desertification in the area south of the Aral Sea is connected, among other things, to hydrological deregulation in the Amu-Darya river delta and to the reduction in the level of the sea. Until 1961, infiltration of water from the sea into the delta caused the formation of lakes and marshes. The level of the sea has decreased 8 m during the years 1961-1981. Due in part to the geological structure of the region, water reflux has declined. It is predicted that the continual decrease in the level of the sea will cause a lowering of the water table within a radius of 200 km. If the level of the sea decreases by 30 m, the water table 15 km from the sea will lower by 20 m, 40 km from the sea it will lower by 15 m, and 75-130 km from the sea it will lower by 10 m. Specialists predict that if current trends continue, salinization of the Aral Sea will reach 34% by the year 2000. In this region soil salinization can be observed; there are patches of salt along the sea coast, and in dried up marshes and lakes. The deflation of sand and dust with a high concentration of salt constitute a significant danger. They settle mainly in the delta, but dust storms carry them long distances (up to 300 km). The mass of dust carried away each year by the wind is estimated to be 15-17 tonnes. The author suggests possible scenarios of the soil and vegetation change in the different stages of aridification. To conclude, Rafikov states that combating desertification is only possible when there is profound knowledge of the natural environment. |
Author: Rozanov B.G.
Title: Problïemy dïegradatsii zasushlivykh zïemïel' mire i mïezhdunarodnoïe sotrudnichïestvo po bor'bïe s opustynivaniïem (Problems of the Degradation of Drylands and International Cooperation in Combating Desertification)
Publisher: Pochvovïedïeniïe, N° 8, pp. 5-11, Moscow
| Date: 1977 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow |
| Classification: | 1A, 1D, 2A |
| Region: | Global |
| Summary: | Very general article on desertification at the global level. The author discusses the United Nations Conference on Desertification, Nairobi, 1977. Pages 8-9: description of different phenomena of desertification. |
Definition: "Desertification is a natural or human-induced process of irreversible change in the soil and vegetation of drylands towards aridification and a decrease in biological productivity. In extreme cases this process leads to the total disintegration of the biological potential and the transformation of the area into desert" (p.6).
Authors: Starodubtsïev V.M., Nïekrasova T.F.
Title: Izmïenïeniïa prirodnoï srïedy v bassïeïnïe rïeki Ili v svïazi s vodokho-zïaïstvïennym stroitïel'stvom (Changes in the natural environment in the Ili river basin due to hydrological development)
Publisher: Problïemy osvoïeniïa pustyn', N° 1, pp. 25-33, Ashkhabad
| Date: 1983 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, KR FAK Alma Ata, WGiSR UW Warsaw, UAM Poznan |
| Classification: | 2A3-4, 2B2b, 3C3, 4A2, 4A4 |
| Region: | Kazakhstan |
| Summary: | In the Ili basin, the aridification of the landscape, the increase in the continental character of the climate and the impoverishment in fauna result from the regulation of the stream flow and the collection of water for irrigation. |
The Kapchagaï dam (28 km3; 2,847 km2): an analysis of changes in the chemical characteristics of water and soil (the reservoir has flooded areas of saline soil), the drying up of the delta, and the decrease in productivity of rangelands. In an area of 50,000 ha the initial productivity of 23-45 q/ha has declined to 7 q/ha. In the region formerly covered with reeds (130,000 ha, 22 q/ha) desertification and salinization can be observed. The surface area of the delta is 8,000 km2.
Lake Balkhash: as a result of the decrease in water influx in recent years, the level of the lake has decreased by more than 1.5 m, the coastline has moved 2-3 km to the north, in places up to 7-8 km. On the dried up land the soil is strongly saline. There is an increase in the salinization of the lake. The current of groundwater has reversed - water now flows from the lake towards the lower delta. Salinization is 1-3g/l near the sea and 10-20 g/l at the southern limits of the plain surrounding the lake. The negative ecological effects are magnified by the fact that the filling of the reservoir in 1974-77 coincided with a period of low stream flow of the Ili, which lasted several years.
Author: Turnbull M.
Title: Soviet Environmental Policies and Practices. The Most Critical Investment.
Publisher: Dartmouth (Aldershot - Brookfield, USA - Hong Kong), 215 pp.
| Date: 1991 | Language: English |
| Available: | Private collections |
| Classification: | 2A4, 5B1 |
| Region: | Central Asia |
| Summary: | The problems of
desertification are considered in part in Chapter 1,
entitled «Development of agriculture and the natural
environment," pp. 33-66. This chapter contains
statistical charts on the extent of water resources and
consumption for each republic (Chart 3.6, p. 44). Water
losses are significant during transport from the water
supply point to the consumption points. In the entire
USSR, 50.6 billion m3 were lost for 337
billion m3 used; in Uzbekistan, 16.9 billion m3
were lost for 73.9 billion m33 used; in
Turkmenistan, 7.3 billion m3 lost for 22.5
billion m3. The author also presents
theoretical calculations of water costs in 1983 and 1984,
information on progress in irrigation, mineralization of
water in the Aral Sea basin, and on page 57, information
on the salinity of the water in large reservoirs that
collect drainage water. In 1990, the area of irrigated land in the USSR was 23.1 million hectares with a drainage system covering 18.5 million hectares. By the year 2000, it should extend to 32 million hectares with a drainage system covering 21 million hectares. On page 60, the cost of irrigation reconstruction according to 1985 conditions is estimated (the author's calculations are based on various Soviet sources). Of the 17.1 million hectares of irrigated land in 1985, 6.4 million hectares will require reconstruction, which would cost 32 billion roubles (including Russia with 1.9 million hectares - 9.3 billion roubles, Uzbekistan with 1.3 billion hectares - 9.3 billion roubles, the Ukraine with 0.9 million hectares - 6.7 billion roubles, and Kazakhstan with 0.7 million hectares - 3.6 billion roubles). |
Authors: Vagranov L.A., Gladyshïev A.I.
Title: Solodka golaïa - pïerspïektivnyï osvoitïel'prioazisnykh pïeskov Turkmïenistana (Glycerrhiza glabra L.) Sand stabilization plan for the oases of Turkmenistan.
Publisher: Problïemy osvoïeniïa pustyn', N° 4, pp. 34-40, Ashkhabad
| Date: 1979 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, KR FAK Alma Ata, WGiSR UW Warsaw, UAM Poznan |
| Classification: | 5C4 |
| Region: | Turkmenistan |
| Summary: | This text discusses the
cultivation of Glycerrhiza glabra L. on sands near
the oases of Turkmenistan. The objective is sand
stabilization, at the same time providing animal feed,
while the roots supply a rare raw material used in the
pharmaceutical and food industries. The natural
resistance of this plant has considerably diminished
during recent years. The authors discuss the ecological
requirements of the plant and illustrate its root system.
The cultivation of this plant enriches the soil in
nitrogen. An experimental cultivation of Glycerriza glabra L. was started on seven hectares near the Amu-Darya River (in the southeastern Karakumy Desert). This experiment was a success. With optimal irrigation, 16-18 tonnes/ha of dry root matter were obtained in two years. The straw of this plant has proven to be a very useful animal feed. |
Plant: Glycerrhiza glabra L.
Authors: Vinogradov B.V., Chïerkashin A.K., Gornov A.I., Kulik K.N.
Title: Dinamicheskiï monitoring dïegradatsii i vostanovleniïa pastbishtch chïernykh zïemïel' Kalmykii (Monitoring the process of degradation and the rehabilitation of black lands of the Kalmyk)
Publisher: Problïemy osvoïeniïa pustyn', N° 1, pp. 10-19, Ashkhabad
| Date: 1990 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, KR FAK Alma Ata, WGiSR UW Warsaw, UAM Poznan |
| Classification: | 2A3, 2B2h, 3B, 3C4, 4A2, 5B2, 5C4 |
| Region: | Russia (Kalmyk, black lands) |
| Summary: | A long-term cyclic decline in precipitation in the northern Caspian plain in the years 1940-1950 diminished the rangeland potential. Animal production has increased, especially since the end of the 1960's, which has caused a marked degradation. Calculating the costs of soil rehabilitation and the revenue from animal production, the authors have prepared a mathematical model of optimal rangeland restoration over a period of 20 years. In the first phase, revegetalization should cover 20-25% of rangelands per year, then 10 15 % per year, stopping when 83 % of the land is non-degraded, supporting 0.6 sheep per hectare. This alternative assures the maximum profit. |
Author: Zhumashov A.
Title: Pïeski Iugo-Zapadnogo Turkmïenistana i ikh osvoïeniïe (The sands of southwest Turkmenistan and their reclamation)
Publisher: Akadïemiïa Naouk Turkmïenskoï SSR. Institut Pustyn' (Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. Institute of Deserts) - Ylym, Ashkhabad, 144 pp.
| Date: 1980 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow |
| Classification: | 0, 5B1, 5C2 |
| Region: | Southwest Turkmenistan |
| Summary: | This text contains a description of the natural environment, the role of wind in the formation and orientation of dunes, the effect of wind on the relief, and the shifting of barkhans. This text, which only slightly relates to the issue of desertification, has a chapter (pp. 120-130) on the fixation of sand dunes. There is a schematic map of southwest Turkmenistan (p. 132) showing which actions are necessary to improve the environment (the author identifies 7 land types). On page 130 a chart shows the cost of sand dune fixation using different techniques. Stabilization by chemical means costs from 300-400 to 800-900 roubles/hectare (1980 prices), depending on the material used to make the mulch; mechanical stabilization with stone walls costs from 100 200 to 200-350 roubles/hectare, mechanical fixation by revegetalization (saxaoul, Calligonum arborescens and others) costs 150 to 300 roubles/hectare. |
Note: Bibliography (144 entries, exclusively in Russian) Index of plant names: Turkoman, Russian, Latin
Plants used: Calligonum arborescens - sand dune fixation. Haloxylon sp.
Author: Zhumashov A.P.
Title: Ekologo-gïeografishïeskiïe usloviïa i tipy pustyn' Srïednïei Azii (Ecological and Geographical Conditions and Desert Types in Central Asia)
Publisher: Akadïemiïa Naouk Turkmïenskoï SSR (Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan), Ylym, Ashkhabad, 316 pp.
| Date: 1990 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, WGiSR UW Warsaw |
| Classification: | 0, 2A1-4, 2B2a, 3C1-5, 3D (sand storms), 4A, 5B, 5C2, SD la, 5D1b |
| Region: | Central Asia (Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan) |
| Summary: | This publication is probably the most up-to-date report on the deserts of Central Asia. The history of research on deserts and their economic development is discussed, including the topography of sand deserts (pp. 213-236), the desertification process and means of combating it (pp. 236-266), and predictions of future ecological changes in deserts resulting from human activity (the chapter with this title is a regional look at zones lending themselves to irrigation, containing information on the potential ecological risks). Desertification is perceived as "a process which initially manifests itself by a decrease in the biological productivity of ecosystems" (p. 236). The natural factors in desertification are treated superficially, with emphasis on sand and dust storms, chief factors in this group. Greater attention is given to human factors; numerous examples are given, such as overcropping and overgrazing, excessive use of water for irrigation, transport routes crossing deserts, etc. There are also examples of the degradation of the natural environment. Among the methods of combating desertification, sand dune stabilization is emphasized, in particular using chemical methods. |
Definition: "Desertification": process initially manifested by a decrease in the biological productivity of ecosystems.
Natural factors of desertification: Chief factors: cold autumns and winters, slowing the development of short-lived vegetation, less than average precipitation over several years, decrease in the flow of large rivers, development of erosion and deflation, modifications in the surface area of lakes, and increase in the salinity of enclosed lakes.