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Author: Bïelolipskiï V.A.
Title: Osobïennosti vïetrovoï erozii v Tiersko-Kumskoï polupustynïe (Specific characteristics of wind erosion in the semi-desert region of Tersk-Kuma)
Publisher: Problïemy osvoieniïa pustyn', N° 2, pp. 47-53, Ashkhabad
| Date: 1974 | Language: Russian (summary in English) |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, KR FAK Alma Ata, WGiSR UW Warsaw, UAM Poznan |
| Classification: | 2A1, 2B2h, 4A1, 4A4 |
| Region: | Russia (Dagestan) |
| Summary: | 70% of the area of the Tersk-Kuma semi-desert suffers from wind erosion, 40% of which is affected by average or intense deflation. As a result of this erosion, the fertility of the irrigated soils has diminished considerably. For this reason, in the southern part of this zone 1/5 of the 166,000 hectares of agricultural land has been turned into rangeland. Wind erosion has been studied in detail. An analysis of periodic changes in deserts during the year has shown that there are two distinct sub-periods, February-June and August-November, during which times wind erosion is particularly intense. Studies have found that deflation varies according to the speed of the wind. The text discusses the material carried off by the wind, the altitude it is carried, and the distance it is transported. The results are presented as charts or as descriptions. There is particular emphasis on dust storms, which destroy the soil and thus diminish its fertility. |
Author: Bobylïev S.I.
Title: Strukturnaïa pïerïestroïka narodnogo khozïaïstva i rïeshïeniïe Aral'skoï problïemy (Restructure of the national economy and the Aral Sea issue)
Publisher: Izvïestiïa Akadïemii Naouk SSR, Sïeriïa Gïeografichïeskaïa (Geographic Series), N° 4, pp. 125-131, Moscow
| Date: 1991 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, WGiSR UW Warsaw |
| Classification: | 5A1-2, 5B1-2 |
| Region: | Aral Sea |
| Summary: | The author proposes a change in perspective on "the Aral question." While until now the practice of irrigated agriculture had never been questioned, the author emphasizes the necessity of saving the Aral Sea. His proposals are timely: in the world market there is a surplus of cotton; the United States is making efforts to reduce its crop. Considering this situation, the author proposes the development of the synthetic fibre industry in the Aral Sea region. This would economize up to 40 km3 of water. These alternative methods of saving water would cost 11-11.5 billion roubles during a period of 10-15 years. To save 1 km3 of water would cost approximately 300 million roubles; "traditional" solutions are much more expensive: 700 million roubles/km3 to transport water from the Caspian Sea, 1-3 billion roubles/km3 for the complete restructuring of irrigation systems. Water requirements for the chemical industry are not mentioned. |
Author: Borisïenkov I.P. (ed.)
Title: Kolïebaniïa klimata za poslïednieïe tysïachilïetiïe (Climatic fluctuations during the last millennium)
Publisher: Gidromïetieoizdat, Leningrad, 408 pp.
| Date: 1988 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, WGiSR UW Warsaw |
| Classification: | 2B2, 2D, 3A-B |
| Region: | Europe, Asia |
| Summary: | An analysis of climate
change in Europe and North Africa from the 4th century
B.C. to the present day. The reconstruction of these
changes is based on a variety of data (historical
sources, geomorphology, particular attention is given to
palynological studies and dendrochronological data). The author concentrates his analysis on the steppes north of the Black Sea and on the deserts and semi-deserts near the Caspian Sea. He concludes that climate changes are not permanent and regular, but are long-term fluctuations lasting several centuries. Truly dry centuries were from the 9th to the 11th centuries, the most humid were the 14th and 19th centuries with a more arid period in the middle. The climate became progressively dryer during the 19th century. The height of grasses in the steppes during humid periods was 1-1.8m, with a number of bushes and trees. Since the beginning of the 19th century, the height of grasses has lowered to 0.5-1m with an increase in sparsely vegetated areas and semi-deserts. A detailed chronology is provided of the last three centuries in the watershed of the Volga and the Ural: between 1750 and 1785, there was a humid period with moderate temperatures, from 1800 to 1835 it was very humid, from 1836 to 1910 there was a dry and mild period, from 1920 to 1960 the climate was very dry (Chart p. 165 and pp. 368-369). |
Author: Borovskiï V.M.
Title: Usykhaniïe Aral'skogo morïa i ïego poslïedstviïa (The drying out of the Aral Sea and its consequences)
Publisher: Izvïestiïa Akadïemii Naouk SSSR, Sïeriïa Gïeografichïeskaïa (Geographic series) N° 5, pp. 35-44, Moscow
| Date: 1978 | Language: Russian (see Note below) |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, WGiSR UW Warsaw |
| Classification: | 2B2f, 3C3, 4A1-4 |
| Region: | Aral Sea |
| Summary: | Extensive information is
provided on the development of irrigated agriculture in
Central Asia and on the expansion of water collection
(the Karakumy Canal collected 16.7 m3/s in
1968. The increase in water collection has led to the
mineralization of the Amu-Darya, to an increase in the
salinization of the Aral Sea and to the beginning of the
process of drying out. The Syr-Darya has not supplied
water to the Aral Sea since 1976. In the Kyzyl-Orda oblast (administrative unit) there has been a lowering of the water table, the progressive lessening of flooding and a decrease in the productivity of pastures (from 10-50 q/ha to 1-2 q/ha) which has led to the reduction of sheep and goat herds. Information is given on regional differences in the degree of salinization and on the chemical composition of salts on the newly exposed seabed (in the east, between the years 1960 and 1977, the sea receded 40-50 km; the sea level decreased by 7 m). It is estimated that transporting water from Siberian rivers will be insufficient; it will be necessary to divide the reservoir into separate parts. |
Note: English version: Borovskiy V.M., 1980, The Drying Out of the Aral Sea and its Consequences, Soviet Geography, February 1980, Silver Springs.
Author: Borovskiï V. M. et al. (eds.)
Title: Mïelioratsiïa zïemïel' i razvitiïe risosïeïaniïa v Kazakhstanie (Land improvement and the development of rice cultivation in Kazakhstan)
Publisher: Akadïemiïa Naouk Kazakhskoï SSR (Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan), "Naouka" Kazakhskoï SSR, Alma Ata, 144 pp.
| Date: 1975 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | KR FAK Alma Ata, WGiSR UW Warsaw |
| Classification: | 2A2, 2B1b, 3C3, 4A1 |
| Region: | Kazakhstan |
| Summary: | Soil types are examined for
their suitability for the development of rice cultivation
in the Syr-Darya river basin (the area surrounding the
town of Kazanlik). These lands are often flooded by
waters from the Syr-Darya, causing soil salinization. In
only 5 years, more than 20,000 hectares became no longer
cultivable. Various types of solonchak (typology pp.
25-26) today cover 43,600 hectares, or 20% of the total
area. Solonchaks result from the desertification of soil
in the river delta. In the Kazanlik region, there are
unfinished irrigation systems without drainage (work has
been delayed). This contributes to an increase in
salinity. When the water level exceeds 3 m, salinity
increases. The most saline are the marshy soils in the
plains - in a 2 m layer of soil, the average salinity is
96 tonnes/ha and the mineralization of groundwater is as
much as 10-20g/litre. The authors emphasize the need for constructing drainage systems. This publication only marginally approaches desertification. The mineral fertilization of rice fields, soil characteristics and agrotechnology are the main issues. In the Kazanlik region, 64,000 ha of land will be irrigated by canals along the left and right banks of the river. |
Author: Bykov B.A.
Title: Antropogïennyïe vliïaniïa na pustynnïe pastbishcha (Human influences on desert pastures)
Publisher: Problïemy osvoïeniïa pustyn', N° 1, pp. 20-26, Ylym, Ashkhabad
| Date: 1985 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, KR FAK Alma Ata, WGiSR UW Warsaw, UAM Poznan' |
| Classification: | 2A3, 2B2a, 3C4, 4A2 |
| Region: | Central Asia |
| Summary: | A description of stages of
degradation for three plant associations. For each
association the author provides the features of the
flora, the vegetation cycle, soils (including chemical
composition), and fauna. There is an evaluation of
changes in the productivity of pastures. 1. Artemisia terrae-albe - Poa bulbosa - Rheum tatrium (absinthe semi-desert). Possibility of grazing 650 sheep for 3 months on 1000 ha. When the fourth stage of degradation is reached, productivity declines to 150 sheep for 3 months. 2. Haloxylon aphyllum - Salsola orientalis - Artemisia terrae-albe on the saline soils of takyrs. Feeding capacity: 520 sheep for 3 months plus a limited number of camels. When the third degree of desertification is reached, the feeding capacity declines to 100-150 sheep for 3 months. 3. Calligonum sp. - Halaxylon persicum - Eremospata aphyllum - Ammodendron argentum - Astragalus ammodendron. Possibility of feeding 890 sheep for 3 months. At the third stage of degradation, feeding capacity decreases to 300 sheep for 3 months on 1000 hectares. |
No information is provided on the geographical distribution of degraded pastures or the number of animals causing degradation.
Author: Chibilïov A.A.
Title: Lik stïepi (The image of the steppe)
Publisher: Gidromïetïeoizdat, Leningrad, 192 pp.
| Date: 1990 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, WGiSR UW Warsaw |
| Classification: | 0, 3C4, 3C5, 3C6 () |
| Region: | Ex-USSR, arid zone - Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan |
| Summary: | This document describes the natural features of steppes in the ex-USSR: climate, soil, vegetation, animals. Pasture degradation began long ago; even the ancient Scythians exploited pastures until the vegetation was destroyed, often by fire. Throughout subsequent centuries, until the present time, degradation caused by animal production has progressed. One sheep leaves approximately 40,000 tracks per day; the pressure of their hooves is 1 kg/cm2, while those of a tank are 0.5 kg/cm2. The development of cereal agriculture and ploughing the steppes have accelerated degradation. In 1954, the "triumphant" conquest of the steppes began. In 6 years 40 million ha of land were ploughed; today 75% of the steppes are cultivated. Because of the progressive drying of the soil, irrigation is considered to be a preventive measure. Fertility has declined; for example, near the town of Voronezh, in 1881 the topsoil (0-30 cm) contained 10 13% humus (300-390 tonnes/ha), compared to 7-10% (210 300 tonnes/ha) in 1981. Large agricultural machinery, construction machinery and others which cross the steppes also contribute to the degradation of these regions. |
Author: Chigazkin A.V.
Title: Optimizatsiïa prirodnoï srïedy pustyn' Kazakhstana na landshaftnoï osnovïe (Optimalization of the natural environment of the deserts of Kazakhstan using landscape analysis)
Publisher: Akadïemiïa Naouk Kirgizskoï SSR. Institut Gïeologii (Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan. Institute of Geology), Bishkek, 44 pp.
| Date: 1990 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow |
| Classification: | 0, 5C (in a very general way) |
| Region: | Kazakhstan |
| Summary: | Presentation of a doctoral thesis at Frunze (now Bishkek). The subject is the physico-geographical regionalization of Kazakhstan. The author identifies: 1) nearly-natural landscapes (6% of the area); 2) slightly changed landscapes (49%); 3) changed landscapes (36%); 4) extremely changed landscapes (5.5%, including sands eroded because of overgrazing), 5) modified landscapes (3% in the author's view, these are improved landscapes - cultivated lands in valleys), 6) cultural landscapes (0.5%, artificial, e.g., in towns). This classification is based on changes in the biological and hydrological elements of landscapes. The author gives recommendations for improving different types of changed and extremely changed landscapes. These recommendations are not explained in depth. |
Author: Chupakhin V.M.
Title: Rïegional'naïa ekologichïeskaïa skhïema bor'by s opustynivaniïem (Regional ecological project in combating desertification)
Publisher: Problïemy osvoïeniïa pustyn', N° 2, pp. 13-18, Ashkhabad
| Date: 1988 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, KR FAK Alma Ata, WGiSR UW Warsaw, UAM Poznan' |
| Classification: | 5A2 |
| Region: | - |
| Summary: | The regional ecological
project in combating desertification is one part of the
socio-economic development plan for a given region. Its
goal is to create optimal conditions for the life and
health of the population and to prevent losses in natural
resources in lands at risk for desertification. This
ecological project plans to coordinate overall interests
for the entire country with the interests of specific
areas. It addresses the following subjects:
|
Author: Dorokhov L.A.
Title: Pustyni Avstralii i ikh analogi v Srïednïeï Azii (Australian deserts and similar deserts in Central Asia)
Publisher: Akadïemiïa Naouk Turkmïenskoï SSR, Institut Pustyn' (Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Institute of Deserts), 18 pp.
| Date: 1980 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow |
| Classification: | 0 |
| Region: | Central Asia, Australia |
| Summary: | Summary of a doctoral dissertation. The work primarily consists of a description of the natural features of Australian deserts. A number of analogies can be made between Australian ecosystems and those of Central Asia. The closest can be made between "clay basins" and "takyrs". In the Australian deserts, there is less water than in deserts of Central Asia, but productivity in Australian deserts is higher. This is due to a more developed organization of pasture use. Maps of each region are presented, illustrating the distribution of vegetal formations totally or partially similar. The problems of desertification are not studied. |
Author: Dukhovnyï V.A.
Title: Golodnaïa step - primïer komplïeksnogo osvoïeniïa pustyn' v SSSR (The Steppe of Hunger - example of integrated desert management in the Soviet Union)
Publisher: Problïemy osvoïeniïa pustyn', N° 6, pp. 3-10, Ashkhabad
| Date: 1980 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, KR FAK Alma Ata, WGiSR UW Warsaw, UAM Poznan |
| Classification: | 5A2, 5A4, 5B1-2, 5D1a |
| Region: | Uzbekistan |
| Summary: | Irrigation and development
began in Uzbekistan at the end of the 19th century. In
1956 large-scale projects were begun that allowed the
expansion of irrigation to 350,000 ha. Main irrigation
and drainage canals were constructed, as were railways,
roads, energy and communication lines, aqueducts and
factories for construction materials. Five colonies were
established in the steppe with industrial and
construction factories, housing, and cultural centres.
The next stage began in 1961 with the foundation of sovkhozes
and the large-scale organization of irrigation and
development. In 1980, total production in the managed region of the Steppe of Hunger, with 120,000 inhabitants, was 1.128 billion roubles. In 1974 the management of this region cost 1.459 billion roubles, and revenues exceeded expenses by 207 million roubles. Eleven years after the beginning of these projects, this region's profits were 60-100 million roubles per year. The per capita income for a worker employed here was 2,947 roubles compared to 1,987 roubles in the rest of the country. In this document there is an interesting classification of the interaction between irrigation and natural conditions. |
Author: Dunin-Borkovskiï L.V.
Title: Vodnyïe rïesursy aridnoï zony SSSR i pïerspïektivy ikh ispol'zovaniïa (Water resources in drylands of the USSR and prospects for their use)
Publisher: Problïemy osvoïeniïa pustyn', N° 2, pp. 12-21, Ashkhabad
| Date: 1977 | Language: Russian (summary in Turkoman and English) |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, KR FAK Alma Ata, WGiSR UW Warsaw, UAM Poznan |
| Classification: | 5D1a, 5D2a-b |
| Region: | Ex-Soviet Union (Russia, Central Asia) |
| Summary: | In the USSR, there are vast
unexploited possibilities for the development of
artificial irrigation. In the Volga valley, hydrological
projects have increased the area of irrigated lands to 1
million ha. Water surpluses can be transported to the
Ural basin, to the Emba, and possibly farther. In the
future, 8-10 million ha could be irrigated in this
region, using water from Siberian rivers. Twenty-five to thirty years ago, it was expected that increasing the area of irrigated land to 0.5 million ha in the Fergana valley, near Tashkent, and in the Steppe of Hunger would cause a 30% decline in the flow of river water in average years, and a 40% decline in dry years. The area of irrigated lands now covers 1 million ha and the river flow has hardly diminished due to the destruction during irrigation of the natural vegetation in the marshy lands of the lower Syr-Darya river basin. The destruction of thousands of hectares of this vegetation and a decline in evapo-transpiration in the lower Syr-Darya river basin increase the possibilities of irrigating without disturbing the supply of water to the Aral Sea, according to the author. The article discusses other irrigated regions. The problem of transporting water from Siberian rivers into Central Asia is also mentioned, which would considerably increase the possibilities of irrigation. This project would require a number of preliminary studies to avoid errors. |
Author: Frïeïkin Z.G.
Title: Kratkiï gïeografichïeskoï slovar'-spravochnik aridnoï zony SSSR (Short encyclopedic and geographic dictionary of the arid zone of the USSR)
Publisher: Akadïemiïa Naouk TSSR. Institut Pustyn' (Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. Institute of Deserts), Ylym, Ashkhabad, 142 pp.
| Date: 1982 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow |
| Classification: | 1A |
| Region: | Central Asia |
| Summary: | Definition of desertification (opustynivaniïe): "A group of physico- geographic and human processes leading to the disintegration of ecosystems in arid and semi-arid lands and the degradation of all forms of organic life. This means a decrease in the natural and economic potential." (p. 83). A number of other terms are defined: natural environment, economy, management. |
Author: Galitzkiï V.I.
Title: Optimalizatsiïa prirodnoï srïedy (Optimalization of the environment)
Publisher: Naoukova Dumka, Akadïemiïa Naouk Ukrainskoï SSR (Academy of Sciences of the Ukraine), Kiev, 170 pp.
| Date: 1989 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, BiV Kiev |
| Classification: | 2A1, 2B2I |
| Region: | Ukraine |
| Summary: | A study of the impact of man
on the natural environment in the Ukraine (pp. 63-155).
During the agricultural period of Ukrainian history, the
area of steppe and forest has diminished twofold. In the
steppes, the expansion of cultivated land has caused a
decrease in the humidity of the air, droughts, dry winds
and dust storms. Erosion affects 34% of arable land. The
most intense erosion is west of Dniepr and in the Donbass
region. In the southern steppes, the probability of
drought is 30-50%. The number of days with dry winds
varies from 1-5 in the west to 5-15 in the east. Black
dust storms affect three zones:
|
Authors: Gïeldyïeva G.V., Vïesielïova L.K.
Title: Landshafty Kazakhstana (Landscapes of Kazakhstan)
Publisher: Akadiemiïa Naouk Rïespubliki Kazakhstan (Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan), Ylym, Alma Ata, 176 pp.
| Date: 1992 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | KR FAK Alma Ata |
| Classification: | 0, 2A1, 2B2b, 3C4 |
| Region: | Kazakhstan |
| Summary: | A detailed environmental study of the natural conditions of Kazakhstan. Pages 23-33 - chapter on "Landscapes of drylands and the desertification process." Several definitions are quoted (pp. 24-25); Rozanov's (1977) is selected (cf. Bibl. Entry 52). Animal production is considered to be a principal factor of desertification in Kazakhstan. The desertification process there affects 632,931 km2, or 60% of the land. Vegetation degradation caused by excessive irrigation is evident on 481,513 km2 (44%), partial desertification around wells on 8,714 km2 (0.8%), salinization of cultivated land on 6,553 km2 (0.6%), and salinization caused by the decline in the level of the Aral Sea and Lake Balkhash on 75,162 km2 (7%). |
Note: Rich bibliography, exclusively in Russian except for one title.
Authors: Gorshkov V.S., Losïev K.S.
Title: Evoliutsiïa krugovorota vody i opustynivaniïe (The evolution of water circulation and desertification)
Publisher: Problïemy osvoïeniïa pustyn', N° 1, pp. 15-21, Ashkhabad
| Date: 1992 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, KR FAK Alma Ata |
| Classification: | 1A, 1B, 2C |
| Region: | Global |
| Summary: | In the authors' opinion,
desertification is closely linked to the rate of water
circulation around the world. Deserts are fewer when
water circulation is more rapid. The most important
factors in the cycle are evaporation and
evapotranspiration. When people gave up hunting-gathering and began agriculture, the degradation of natural vegetation began. This contributed to a decrease in evapotranspiration, then to the slowing of water circulation, and finally to climatic desertification. These processes have intensified in the last few centuries as a result of deforestation. In natural forests 90% of solar energy is taken up by evapotranspiration compared to only 40% in cultivated fields. Desertification is understood to be "expansion of deserts." Desertification is discussed in geological history since the Cambrian. |
Definition of desertification = "expansion of deserts"
Process of desertification: transformation of forests into cultivable lands causing a decrease in evapotranspiration which leads to a decline in precipitation and climatic desertification.
Author: Grigor'ïev V.I. (ed.)
Title: Prognozirovaniïe i prïeduprïezhdïeniïe erozii pochv pri oroshïenii (The protection of irrigated soils against erosion)
Publisher: Izdatïel'stvo Moskovskogo Univïersitïeta, Moscow, 206 pp.
| Date: 1992 | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow (as of May 1993 - not yet available) |
| Classification: | 5C1 |
| Region: | Central Asia |
| Summary: | The authors deal with soil
erosion on lands which are irrigated by water spreading.
Several examples in Central Asia are given. A number of
empirical and graphic formulas are presented showing the
interrelation between the intensification of soil erosion
and diverse factors. The results of experimental projects show ways in which erosion can be controlled in soils along furrows (e.g., by regulating the rate of water flow according to the type of soil). The author analyzes the efficiency of using plastic materials at the bottom of furrows to limit erosion. |
Authors: Ivanov I.V., Lïesnik I.N., Malykhina G.G., et al.
Title: Vozmozhnost' vyïavlïeniïa po kosmofotomatïerialam antropogïennogo vozdïeïstva na vnutrieoazisnyïe pïeski Fïergansko ï doliny (Recording human influences on the sands of the Fergana Valley using satellite imagery)
Publisher: Problïemy osvoïeniïa pustyn', N° 3, pp. 25-31, Ashkhabad
| Date: 1984' | Language: Russian |
| Available: | BiL Moscow, IG RAN Moscow, KR FAK Alma Ata, WGiSR UW Warsaw, UAM Poznan |
| Classification: | 1C1 |
| Region: | Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan (Fergana Valley) |
| Summary: | This article is very methodological. The authors analyze and compare satellite imagery from "Salyut" (1 and 6), "Soyuz 22", aerial photos and vegetation maps dating from 1914 to 1960. A map of land use changes has been prepared from these data. A marked increase in the area of irrigated lands is evident, as is a decrease in the diversity of the natural vegetation. |
Author: Janaliïeva G.M.
Title: Struktura landshaftov Balkhash-iliïskoï miegagïeosistïemy (The structure of natural landscapes in the mega-ecosystem of Balkhash-Ili)
Publisher: Kazakhskiï Gosudarstvïennyï Univïersitïet im. Al'-Farabi (Al-Farabi University of Kazakhstan), Alma Ata, 344 pp.
| Date: 1993 (reprint) | Language: Russian |
| Available: | University of Alma Ata, Geography Department |
| Classification: | 1C-D (cartography), 2A2, 2A4, 2B2b |
| Region: | Kazakhstan (Lake Balkhash, Ili Basin region) |
| Summary: | The question of desertification is secondary here. This work is a very detailed analysis of the natural environment of the region. It also discusses types and sub-types of ecosystems and studies their relationships and their chemical characteristics. Information is dispersed throughout the text on the increase in soil salinity and the deficit of water from Lake Balkhash (pp. 210-235, 249-262). The level of the lake has declined since the construction of a dam on the river and the collection of water for irrigation (pp. 250-251 and elsewhere in the text). Pages 223-225: legend of a map of the human modification of ecosystems (only a small fragment of the map is shown). The map does not show the desertification process, but does show the process of salinization. |