Halophytes on the Dry Sea Floor of the Aral Sea

Abstract

Within a relatively short period, less than a half century, the area of salt deserts in Central Asia has grown by about 60 000 km². The process of salt desertification is tremendously active in the region of the former Aral Sea. The coastal plain and the dry sea floor of the Aral Sea are an evident model for studying salt desertification. The vast occurrence of salinization processes is the main reason for a very diverse halophytic flora on the dry sea floor. In comparison to other ecophysiological life forms, halophytes thrive on saline soils and are able to grow even on rather strongly salinized substrates. Investigation of the adaptive mechanisms of the various halophyte types is essential for an adequate species composition for phytomelioration of these saline soils. Phytomelioration by artificial planting on the dry sea floor for more rapid closure of the vegetation cover is a great need to minimize the widespread negative effects of salt desertification.