Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

From Aral Sea to Aralkum: An Ecological Disaster or Halophytes’ Paradise

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Progress in Botany

Part of the book series: Progress in Botany ((BOTANY,volume 74))

Abstract

The Aral Sea no longer exists. Only the Small Aral Sea has now again a constant water level. The former Aral Sea, once the fourth largest lake on the globe, is almost dry, and the desiccated seafloor is a new desert, called the Aralkum. It is the source of salt-enriched dust and sandstorms. These are affecting large proportions of the villages and agricultural systems in the whole region, as well as livelihood and health of the people. This new desert has developed within about 50 years. It is caused by human activities; thus, it is an artificial desert, but all the ongoing processes follow natural laws and are most interesting for science. The area can be called the largest primary succession experiment of mankind or depending on viewpoint, one of the biggest ecological catastrophes. About 70 % of the area is salt desert; thus, halophytes play a major role. One-fourth of the flora are species from Chenopodiaceae.

Within the last decades, many new developmental projects have been performed in the region. However, most of them need basic knowledge which only can be provided by scientific expertise. So it is necessary to bring together interdisciplinary and international scientists not only on ecology and geography (with remote sensing and GIS methods), but also climatologists and soil scientists, with social science and economy as well as with nature conservation organisations, developmental and health agencies, and other main stakeholders of the area. Research on the scientific aspects of the Aralkum area has been done in the last years, mainly on dust storms and climate, on soil substrate, but also on vegetation dynamics and flora, as well as on the specific site conditions in such a continental salt desert which are the basis of highly diverse and dynamic halophytic communities adjacent to the tugai woodlands, the riverine forest remnants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Afanasiev YuG, Smirnov YuA (1985) Perspectives of State Reserve Barsa Kelmes in connection with desiccation of the Aral Sea. In: Problems and perspectives of complex development of productive forces in Kyzylorda oblast. Nauka, Alma-Ata, pp 109–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Agachanjanz OE, Breckle S-W (1993) Umweltsituation in der ehemaligen Sowjetunion. Naturwiss Rdschau 47:99–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Aladin NV, Potts WTW (1992) Changes in the Aral Sea ecosystem during the period 1960–1990. Hydrobiologia 237:67–79

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arashkevich EG, Sapozhnikov PV, Soloviov KA, Kudyshkin TV, Zavialov PO (2009) Artemia parthenogenetica (Branchiopoda: Anostraca) from the large Aral Sea: abundance, distribution, population structure and cyst production. J Marine Syst 76:359–366

    Google Scholar 

  • Badescu V, Cathcart RB (2011a) Aral Sea partial restoration I. A Caspian water importation macroproject. Int J Environ Waste Manage 7:142–163

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Badescu V, Cathcart RB (2011b) Aral Sea partial restoration II. Simulation of time-dependent processes. Int J Environ Waste Manage 7:164–174

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Badescu V, Cathcart RB (eds) (2011c) Macro-engineering seawater in unique environments. Arid lowlands and water bodies rehabilitation. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Belnap J, Lange O (eds) (2001) Biological soil crusts: structure, function and management, vol 150, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Benduhn F, Renard P (2004) A dynamic model of the Aral Sea water and salt balance. J Marine Syst 47:35–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg LS (1908) The Aral Sea. An experience of physico-geographical monograph. Izv turkestanskogo Otd, vol 5, N.9.. Russk Geogr Obshchestva, St Petersburg, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Boomer I, Wünnemann B, Mackay AW, Austin P, Sorrel P, Reinhardt C, Keyser D, Guichard F, Fontugne M (2009) Advances in understanding the late Holocene history of the Aral Sea region. Quatern Int 194:79–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Bortnik VN (1996) Changes in the water-level and hydrological balance of the Aral Sea. In: Micklin PP, Williams WD (eds) The Aral Sea Basin. Springer, Berlin, pp 25–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Bortnik VN, Kuksa VI, Tsytsarin AG (1991) Present state and possible future of the Aral Sea. Izv AN SSR, Ser Geogr 4:62–68, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W (1985) Die Siebenbürgische Halophyten-Flora—Ökologie und ihre pflanzengeographische Einordnung. Siebenbürgisches Archiv, 3. Folge 20:53–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W (1986) Studies on halophytes from Iran and Afganistan. II. Ecology of halophytes along salt gradients. Proc R Soc Edinb 89B:203–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W (1995) How do halophytes overcome salinity? In: Khan MA, Ungar IA (eds) Biology of salt tolerant plants. Book Graffers, Chelsea, pp 199–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W (2002a) Primärsukzessionen – Beispiele von Sanddünen, Vulkanaschen, Salzböden und anderen Substraten. Ber Reinh-Tüxen-Ges (Hannover) 14:5–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W (2002b) Salinity, halophytes and salt affected natural ecosystems. In: Läuchli A, Lüttge U (eds) Salinity: environment–plants–molecules. Kluwer AcademicPublishers, Dordrecht, pp 53–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W (2003) Rehabilitation of the Aral Sea environment, Kazakhstan. In: Proceedings of the international workshop (Aleppo, May 2002): “Combating desertification—rehabilitation of degraded drylands and biosphere reserves”. UNESCO-MAB dryland series No. 2, pp 47–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W (2006) Deserts and biodiversity—is it area- or resource-related? J Arid Land Stud 16:61–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W (2008a) Succession processes and vegetation on the desiccated sea floor of the former Aral Sea. Festschrift Daniels/Münster Abhandl Westfäl Museum Naturkunde Münster 70:407–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W (2008b) Drought and salt stress, frost and heat stress, waterlogging and anaerobic stress at one site: The Aralkum. In: Meeting of the Specialist Groups “Desert ecology” and “Experimental ecology” of the Society of Ecology (GfÖ), Tharandt, March 31st–April 2nd, 2008, pp 11–12, abstract

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W (2009) Is sustainable agriculture with seawater realistic? In: Ashraf M, Ozturk M, Athar HR (eds) Tasks for vegetation science, vol 44. Springer, The Netherland, pp 187–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W (2011) Der verlorene Aralsee—aber 60 000km2 Neuland. In: Anhuf D, Fickert T, Grüninger F (eds) Ökozonen im Wandel, Passauer Kontaktstudium Geographie 11, University Passau, pp 91–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Agachanjanz OE (1994) Spezielle Ökologie der gemäßigten und arktischen Zonen Euro-Nordasiens, Zonobiom VI–IX. Ökologie der Erde, vol 3, 2nd edn. Fischer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Geldyeva GV (2012) Dynamics of the Aral Sea Area in geological and historical times. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 13–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Küppers M (2011) Wassersparende Nutzpflanzen in ariden und semi-ariden Gebieten. In: Lozan JL, Graßl H, Karbe L, Hupfer P, Schönwiese C-D (eds) Warnsignal Klima: Genug Wasser für alle? 3. Aufl. Wissenschaftliche Auswertungen, in Kooperation mit GEO, Hamburg, pp 518–528

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Wucherer W (2006) Combating desertification in the Northern Aral Sea region. In: Gao J et al (eds) Restoration and stability of ecosystems in arid and semi-arid areas. Science Press, Beijing, pp 304–316

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Wucherer W (2012a) General introduction—The Aralkum, a man-made desert on the desiccated sea floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia)—aims of the book. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Wucherer W (2012b) Climatic conditions at the Aralkum. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 49–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Wucherer W (2012c) Halophytes and salt desertification in the Aralkum area. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 271–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Wucherer W (2012d) Final conclusions and comments: the Aralkum, a man-made desert on the desiccated sea floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia). In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 459–464

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Agachanjanz OE, Wucherer W (1998) Der Aralsee: Geoökologische Probleme. Naturwiss Rdschau 51:347–355, +Lit.-Verz

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Veste M, Wucherer W (eds) (2001a) Sustainable land-use in deserts. In: Proceedings of the international Königswinter workshop. Springer, Berlin, 465 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Wucherer W, Agachanjanz OE, Geldyev B (2001b) The Aral sea crisis region. In: Breckle S-W, Veste M, Wucherer W (eds) Sustainable land-use in deserts. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 27–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Veste M, Yair A (eds) (2008) Arid dune ecosystems—The Nizzana sands in the Negev desert, vol 200, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, 475 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Wucherer W et al (2011) Hat der Aralsee eine Zukunft? In: Lozan JL et al (eds) Warnsignal Klima: Genug Wasser für alle? 3rd edn. Wissenschaftliche Auswertungen, in Kooperation mit GEO, Hamburg, pp 210–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) (2012a) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, New York, 478 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle S-W, Wucherer W, Dimeyeva LA (2012b) Vegetation of the Aralkum. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 127–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai X, McKinney DC, Rosegrant MW (2003) Sustainability analysis for irrigation water management in the Aral Sea region. Agr Syst 76:1043–1066

    Google Scholar 

  • Cathcart RB, Badescu V (2011) Aral Sea partial refilling macroproject. In: Brunn SD (ed) Engineering earth. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 1541–1547. doi:10.10007/978-90-481-9920-4_88

    Google Scholar 

  • Darmenova K, Sokolik IN (2007) Assessing uncertainties in dust emission in the Aral Sea region caused by meteorological fields predicted with a mesoscale model. Global Planet Change 56:297–310

    Google Scholar 

  • Dech SW, Ressl R (1993) Die Verlandung des Aralsees (Drying out of the Aral Sea). Geographische Rundschau 45:345–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Demchenko LA (1950) Vegetation of Barsa-Kelmes island as forage basis for ungulate animals. In: Proceedings of State reserve Barsa-Kelmes. Alma-Ata, pp 6-37

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimeyeva LA (2004) Ecological peculiarities of vegetation forming of the north-western coast of the Aral Sea. Probl Desert Dev 4:23–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimeyeva L (2007a) Primary successions on the new Aral seashore. Basic Appl Dryland Res 1:1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimeyeva LA (2007b) Primary successions of vegetation in Nature Reserve Barsa Kelmes. In: Proceedings of Nature Reserve Barsa Kelmes, vol 2, pp 81–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimeyeva LA, Breckle S-W, Wucherer W (2008) Flora der Aralkum auf dem Gebiet Kazakhstans (Flora Pustini Aralkum b predelach kasakhstana—RUSS). News Natl Acad Sci Kazakhstan 6:25–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimeyeva LA, Breckle SW, Wucherer W (2012a) Flora of the Aralkum. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 109–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimeyeva LA, Ogar NP, Alimbetova Z, Breckle S-W (2012b) Nature conservation in the Aral Sea region (Barsa Kelmes as an example). In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 315–341

    Google Scholar 

  • Dumont HJ, Shiganova TA, Niermann U (eds) (2004) Aquatic invasions in the Black, Caspian, and Mediterranean Seas, vol 35, NATO science series: IV: Earth and environmental sciences. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Eliseyev D (1991) What is the matter with the Aral Sea: is it perishing or relating to its former bounds? Salinet 5:81–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellenberg H, Weber HE, Düll R et al (1991) Zeigerwerte von Pflanzen in Mitteleuropa. Scripta Geobotanica 18:248p

    Google Scholar 

  • Erdinger L, Hollert H, Eckl P (2011) Aral Sea: an ecological disaster zone with impact on human health, Encyclopedia of environmental health. Elsevier, Burlington, pp 136–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang L, Wang LZ, Hipel KW (2005) Securing fair water allocation in the Aral Sea Basin. Systems and human science, 1st Intern. Sympos. SSR 2003, Osaka, Japan. Elsevier, pp 159–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Fletcher M (2007-06-23) “The return of the sea”. The Times (London)

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedrich J (2009) Uranium contamination of the Aral Sea. J Marine Syst 76:322–335

    Google Scholar 

  • Galayeva OS, Semenov OE, Shapov AP (1996) Ob osobennostyakh vetrovogo perenosa peska v Aralskom regione (Peculiarities of wind sand transport in the Aral Sea region). Gidrometeorologiya i Ecologiya 4:73–93, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Gel’dyeva GV, Breckle S-W, Gel’dyev BV (2012) Geography, Geomorphological and lithological characteristics of the Aralkum desert. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 37–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Giese E, Moßig I (2004) Klimawandel in Zentralasien. ZEU Discussion Papers No. 17, 70pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Giese E, Bahro G, Betke D (1998) Umweltzerstörungen in Trockengebieten Zentralasiens (West- und Ost-Turkestan). Ursachen, Auswirkungen, Maßnahmen, vol Band 125. Erdkundliches Wissen, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Ginzburg AI, Kostianoy AG, Nickolay A, Sheremet NA (2003) Thermal regime of the Aral Sea in the modern period (1982–2000) as revealed by satellite data. J Marine Syst 43:19–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Glantz MH (ed) (1995) Creeping environmental problems and sustainable development in the Aral Sea Basin. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Glantz MH, Rubinstein AZ, Zonn I (1993) Tragedy in the Aral Sea basin: looking back to plan ahead? Global Environ Change 3:174–198

    Google Scholar 

  • Glazovskii NF (1990) Aral sea crisis. Nauka, Moskow, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigorjev AA, Lipatov VB (1982) Dinamika i ochag pylevykh bur v Priaralje (Dynamic and source of dust storms in the surroundings of the Aral Sea). Izv ANSSSR Ser Geogr 5:93–98, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Groeneveld J, Wissel C, Wucherer W, Dimeyeva L, Jeltsch F (2005) Computer simulations orientated towards plant succession on the desiccating Aral Sea floor. In: Veste M, Wucherer W, Homeier J (eds) Ökologische Forschung im globalen Kontext. Festschrift für Prof Dr Siegmar-W Breckle. Cullivier, Göttingen, pp 129–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Groeneveld J, Wucherer W, Dimeyeva LA, Jeltsch F, Wissel C, Breckle S-W (2012) Spatial distribution of plant functional types along stress gradients—a simulation study orientated towards the plant succession on the desiccating Aral Sea floor. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 301–311

    Google Scholar 

  • Heptner VG, Sludskii AA, Komarov A, Komorov N (1992) Mammals of the Soviet Union, vol. II, part 2. Brill Academic Publishers, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Hüfler F, Nowitzkiy S (2001) Wald auf dem ausgetrockneten Boden des Aralsees. BMZ/GTZ Broschüre, Tashkent, in German and Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Joger U, Dujsebayeva T, Belyalov OV, Chikin Y, Grachev YA, Kadyrbekov R, Miaud C (2012) Fauna of the Aralkum. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 199–269

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaverin VS, Salimov BA (2000) Perspective ecological rehabilitation of the dry seabed of the Aral Sea. News Kazakhstan Sci (Almaty) 1:21–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaverin VS, Salimov BA, Shahmatov PF (2005) About necessity of phytomelioration of the dry seabed of the Aral Sea. In: Actual questions of agroforestry and green planting in Kazakhstan. Almaty, pp 89–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Khamzina A, Lamers JPA, Vlek PLG (2008) Tree establishment under deficit irrigation on degraded agricultural land in the lower Amu Darya River region, Aral Sea Basin. Forest Ecol Manage 255:168–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan VM, Holko L (2009) Snow cover characteristics in the Aral Sea Basin from different data sources and their relation with river runoff. J Marine Syst 76:254–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Kharin NG (1997) Social aspects of land degradation in Central Asia. Desertif Control Bull 31:33–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Kidron GJ, Vonshak A, Abeliovich A (2009) Microbiotic crusts as biomarkers for surface stability and wetness duration in the Negev Desert. Earth Surf Process Landforms 34:1594–1604

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirsta VT (1989) Problema Aralskogo morya i Karakumskii kanal (Problem of the Aral Sea and Karakum canal). Probl Osvo Pustyn 5:10–17, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Kostianoy AG, Kosarev AN (2010) The Aral sea environment. The handbook of environmental chemistry, vol 7. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurochkina LYa (1978) Psammophyte vegetation of Kazakhstan. Nauka, Alma-Ata, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurochkina LYa (1979) Botanical survey in the Aral Sea basin. Probl Osvo Pustyn 2:9–17, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuz’mina JV (2007) Long-term dynamics according to meteorological characteristics in the Prearalie region. Izvest vizs ujebnich zawedenii, pp 73–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuz’mina ZhV, Treshkin SE (2009) Formation of vegetation on Solonchaks of the dried Aral Sea bed under changing climate conditions. Russ Agr Sci 35(1):37–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuz’mina ZhV, Treshkin SE (2012) Phytomelioration of Solonchaks in the Uzbek Pre-Aral Region under recent climate change. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 407–429

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuznetsov LA (1995) Flora of Barsa Kelmes Island. In: Biological and nature conservation problems of the Aral Sea and the coast. In: Proceedings of the Russian Institute of Zoology, St Peterburg, pp 106-128

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuznetsov LA (2007) Once more about zonal vegetation of Barsa Kelmes. In: Proceedings of Nature Reserve Barsa Kelmes, vol 2, pp 35–44

    Google Scholar 

  • L’vov VP (1959) The Aral Sea level fluctuations in the last 100 years. Tr GOIN 46:80–114, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Callonnec L, Person A, Renard M, Létolle R, Nebout N, Khelifa LB, Rubanov I (2005) Preliminary data on chemical changes in the Aral Sea during low-level periods from the last 9000 years. Compt R Geosci 337:1035–1044

    Google Scholar 

  • Letolle R, Mainguet M (1996) Der Aralsee – eine ökologische Katastrophe. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Levintanus A (1992) Saving the Aral Sea. J Environ Manage 36:193–199

    Google Scholar 

  • Lioubimtseva E, Henebry GM (2009) Climate and environmental change in arid Central Asia: impacts, vulnerability, and adaptations. J Arid Environ 73:963–977

    Google Scholar 

  • Löw F, Navratil P, Bubenzer O (2012) Landscape dynamics in the southern Aralkum desert—using MODIS time series for land cover change analysis. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 83–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayev EG, Mayeva UA, Nikolaev SD, Parunin OB (1983) Novye dannye po golotsenovoi istorii Aralskogo morya (New dates about the holocene history of the Aral Sea). In: Paleogeografiya Kaspiiskogo i Aralskogo morei v Kainizoe (Paleogeography of Caspian Sea and Aral Sea in the cenozoic), vol. 2. MGU, Moskva, Moscow university Press, Moscow, pp 133–144, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Micklin P (2007) The Aral Sea disaster. Annu Rev Earth Planet Sci 35:47–72

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Micklin P (2008) Using satellite remote sensing to study and monitor the Aral sea and adjacent zone. In: Qi J, Evered KT (eds) Environmental problems of Central Asia and their economical, social and security impacts. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 31–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Micklin P (2010) The past, present, and future Aral Sea. Lakes Reserv Res Manage 15:193–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Micklin P, Aladin NV (2008) Reclaiming the Aral Sea. Sci Am 298:64–71

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Middleton N (2005) Hope for the little Aral Sea. Geogr Rev 18:21–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore RT, Breckle S-W, Caldwell MM (1972) Mineral ion composition and osmotic relations of Atriplex confertifolia and Eurotia lanata. Oecologia 11:67–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller JV, Veste M, Wucherer W, Breckle S-W (2006) Desertifikation und ihre Bekämpfung—eine Herausforderung an die Wissenschaft. Naturwiss Rdschau 59:585–593

    Google Scholar 

  • Muminova FA, Inogamova S (eds) (1995) Izmenchivost klimata Srednei Azii. (Climate changes in Middle Asia). SANIGMII, Tashkent

    Google Scholar 

  • Nezlin NP, Kostianoy AG, Lebedev SA (2004) Interannual variations of the discharge of Amu Darya and Syr Darya estimated from global atmospheric precipitation. J Marine Syst 47:67–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Nezlin NP, Kostianoy AG, Li B-L (2005) Inter-annual variability and interaction of remote-sensed vegetation index and atmospheric precipitation in the Aral Sea region. J Arid Environ 62:677–700

    Google Scholar 

  • Nikolaev SD (1991) Razvitie Arala po izotopno-kislorodnym dannym (Development of the Aral Sea after the oxygen isotope method). In: Treshnikov AF (ed) History of Lakes Sevan, Issyk-Kul, Balkhash, Zaisan and Aral. Nauka, Leningrad, pp 246–250, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Novikova NM (2001) Ecological basis for botanical diversity conservation within the Amudarya and Syrdarya river deltas. In: Breckle S-W, Veste M, Wucherer W (eds) Sustainable land use in deserts. Springer, Berlin, pp 84–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Novitskiy ZB (1997) Nauchnye osnovy zashitnogo lesorasvedeniya na osushennom dne Aralskogo morya (Research basic of the phytomelioration on the dry sea floor of the Aral Sea). Avtor. doctoral dissertation, Tashkent (in Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Novitskiy ZB (2012) Phytomelioration in the southern Aralkum. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 387–406

    Google Scholar 

  • Oberhänsli H, Zavialov P (2009) Aral Sea Basin hydrological, chemical and biological dynamics today, compared with trends of the past 50 years. J Marine Syst 76:251–253

    Google Scholar 

  • Oberhänsli H, Novotná K, Píšková A, Chabrillat S, Nourgaliev DK, Kurbaniyazov AK, Grygar TM (2011) Variability in precipitation, temperature and river runoff in W Central Asia during the past 2000 yrs. Global Planet Change 76:95–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogar NP (2001) Vegetation dynamics on the Syrdarya delta and modern land use. In: Breckle S-W, Veste M, Wucherer W (eds) Sustainable land use in deserts. Springer, Berlin, pp 74–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Orlovsky N, Orlovsky L (2002) White sandstorms in Central Asia. In: Yang Y, Squires V, Qi L (eds) Global alarm: dust and sandstorms from the world’s drylands. UN Asia Regional Coordinating Unit, Bangkok, pp 169–201

    Google Scholar 

  • Peneva EL, Stanev EV, Stanychni SV, Salokhiddinov A, Stulina G (2004) The recent evolution of the Aral Sea level and water properties: analysis of satellite, gauge and hydrometeorological data. J Marine Syst 47:11–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Razakov RM, Kosnazarov KA (1987) Eolovyi vynos i vypadeniye solepylevykh chastits v Priaralye (Wind transport and deposition of salt dust particles in the surroundings of the Aral Sea). In: Problemy Aralskomo morya i prirodookhrannye meropriyatiya. Tashkent SANIIRI, pp 24–31, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Salokhiddinnov AT, Khakimov ZM (2004) Ways the Aral Sea behaves. J Marine Syst 47:127–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Sapozhnikov FV, Ivanishcheva PS, Simakova UV (2009) Modern assemblage changes of benthic algae as a result of hypersalinization of the Aral Sea. J Marine Syst 76(3):343–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuiling RD, Badescu V (2011) Aral Sea rehabilitation with Irtysch imports. In: Badesco V, Cathcart RB (eds) Macro-engineering seawater in unique environments, Environmental science engineering. Springer, Berlin, pp 351–363

    Google Scholar 

  • Semenov OE (1995) Ob otsenke masshtabov vynosa massy Aralskogo aerozolya (Assessment of quantity of the aerosol transport from the Aral Sea area). Gidrometeorologiya i ecologiya 1:117–130, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Semenov OE (2012) Duststorms and aerosol long-distance transport. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 73–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Semenov OE, Shapov AI, Galaeva OS, Idrisova VP (2006) Wind deflation and sand and salt deposition form the drained part of the Aral sea bottom. Arid Ecosystems (Aridnye Ekosistemy) Moscow 12(29):47–58, in Russian, resume in English

    Google Scholar 

  • Shermatov E, Nurtayev B, Muhamedgalieva U, Shermatov U (2004) Analysis of water resources variability of the Caspian and Aral sea basins on the basis of solar activity. J Marine Syst 47:137–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer A, Zobeck T, Poberrezky L, Argaman E (2003) The PM10 and PM2.5 dust generation potential of soils/sediments in the Southern Aral Sea Basin, Uzbekistan. J Arid Environ 54:705–728

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorrel P, Popescu S-M, Head MJ, Suc JP, Klotz S, Oberhänsli H (2006) Hydrographic development of the Aral Sea during the last 2000 years based on a quantitative analysis of dinoflagellate cysts. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 234:304–327

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorrel P, Popescu S-M, Klotz S, Suc J-P, Oberhänsli H (2007) Climate variability in the Aral Sea basin (Central Asia) during the late Holocene based on vegetation changes. Quatern Res 67:357–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Spivak L, Terechov A, Vitkovskaya I, Batyrbayeva M, Orlovsky L (2012) Dynamics of dust transfer from the desiccated Aral Sea bottom analyzed by remote sensing. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 97–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Spoor M (1998) The Aral Sea basin crisis: transition and environment in the former Soviet Central Asia. Dev Change 29:409–435

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanev EV, Peneva EL, Mercier F (2004) Temporal and spatial patterns of sea level in inland basins: recent events in the Aral Sea. Geophys Res Lett 31:L15505. doi:10.1029/2004GL020478, 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • Svitoch AA (2009) History of the last Aral sea. Aridnie ekosistemi 15:5–17, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Uhrig M-R (ed) (2008) Butakov Aleksej Ivanovic: Tagebuch der Aralsee-Expedition 1848/49. Edit. Buran, Zell

    Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO (2000) Water related vision for the Aral sea basin for the year 2025. UNESCO, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Veste M, Heusinkveld BG, Berkowicz SM, Breckle S-W, Littmann T, Jacobs AFG (2008) Dew formation and activity of biological soil crusts. Ecological Studies 200:305–318

    Google Scholar 

  • Walter H (1960) Einführung in die Phytologie III, Grundlagen der Pflanzenverbreitung. Teil 1 Standortslehre. Ulmer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Walter H (1974) Die Vegetation Osteuropas, Nord- und Zentralasiens. In: Walter H (ed) Vegetations-monographien, vol. 7. Fischer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Walter H, Breckle S-W (1994) Ökologie der Erde, vol 3, 2nd edn, Spezielle Ökologie der gemäßigten und arktischen Zonen Euro-Nordasiens. Fischer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Walter H, Lieth H (1967) Klimadiagramm-Weltatlas. Fischer, Stuttgart, Jena

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinbergs IG, Stelle VYa (1980) Pozdnechetvertichnye stadii razvitiya Aralskogo morya i ikh svyaz’ s izmeneniemi klimaticheskikh uslovii etogo vremeni (Late quaternary development of the Aral Sea in connection with climatic changes). In: Kolebaniya uvlazhnennosti aralo-kaspiiskogo regiona v golothene (Climatical fluctuations of the Aral Sea and the Caspian Sea regions in holocene). Nauka, Moscow, pp 175–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Wichelns D (1999) An economic model of waterlogging and salinization in arid regions. Ecol Econ 30:475–491

    Google Scholar 

  • Winckler G, Kleinn E, Breckle S-W (2012) The Aralkum situation under climate change related to its broader regional context. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 431–456

    Google Scholar 

  • Wucherer W (1979) Primary colonisation of the dry sea floor of the Aral Sea. Probl Osvo Pustyn 3:9–18, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Wucherer W (1984) Vegetation formation on the dry sea floor of the Aral Sea. In: Problemy Aralskogo morya i delty Amudar`i. FAN, Tashkent, pp 155–161, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Wucherer W, Breckle S-W (2001) Vegetation dynamics on the dry seafloor of the Aral Sea. In: Breckle S-W, Veste M, Wucherer W (eds) Sustainable land-use in deserts. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 52–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Wucherer W, Breckle SW (2003) Psammophytic succession at the south-east coast of the Aral Sea. In: Rachkovskaya EI, Volkova EA, Khramcov VN (eds) Botanical geography of Kazakhstan and Middle Asia. Komarov Botanical Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, pp 340–347

    Google Scholar 

  • Wucherer W, Breckle S-W (2005) Desertifikationsbekämpfung und Sanierung der Salzwüsten am Aralsee. Sukzession und Phytomelioration, Naturschutz und nachhaltige Entwicklung. Bielefelder Ökologische Beiträge (BÖB19), Band 19

    Google Scholar 

  • Wucherer W, Galieva L (1985) Vegetation mapping of the formed dynamic ecosystems. Isv AN KasSSR Ser Biol 4:3–13, in Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Wucherer W, Breckle S-W, Kaverin VS, Zhamantikov Kh, Ogar NP (2005a) Phytomeliorative Eigenschaften von Haloxylon aphyllum und Perspektiven der Anpflanzungen in der Region am Aralsee. In: Veste M, Wucherer W, Homeier J (eds) Ökologische Forschung im globalen Kontext. Festschrift zum 65. Geburtstag von Prof. Dr. S.-W. Breckle. Cuvillier Verlag, Göttingen, pp 109–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Wucherer W, Veste M, Herrera Bonilla O, Breckle S-W (2005b) Halophytes as useful tools for rehabilitation of degraded lands and soil protection. In: Proceedings of the first international forum on ecological construction of the Western Beijing, Beijing, pp 87–94 (in English); pp 169–175 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wucherer W, Breckle S-W, Buras A (2012a) Primary succession in the Aralkum. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 161–198

    Google Scholar 

  • Wucherer W, Breckle S-W, Buras A (2012b) Phytomelioration in the Northern Aralkum. In: Breckle S-W, Dimeyeva L, Wucherer W, Ogar NP (eds) Aralkum—a man-made desert. The desiccated floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia), vol 218, Ecological Studies. Springer, Berlin, pp 343–386

    Google Scholar 

  • Yair A (2008) Succession stages in the recovery processes of the topsoil crust in a disturbed sandy arid area. Ecological Studies 200:285–303

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang Y, Squires V, Qi L (eds) (2002) Global alarm: dust and sandstorms from the world’s drylands. UN Asia Regional Coordinating Unit, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • Zonn I, Glantz M, Kostianoy A, Kosarev A (2009) The Aral Sea Encyclopedia. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

For cooperation and technical help we thank Uta Breckle, Diana and Walter Wucherer, UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle (Germany), Michael Succow Foundation for Nature Protection University of Greifswald (Germany), Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel), Institute of Botany, Acad. Science, Almaty (Kazakhstan), Institute of Forest Economy, Schutschinsk (Kazakhstan), Institute of Agroecology, Kzyl-Orda (Kazakhstan), Barsa-Kelmes Nature Reserve (Kazakhstan), and Syrboi Ormany Gardening Co., Kzyl-Orda (Kazakhstan). The great help for our first research project on the theme by Dr. Joachim Kutscher (BMBF project coordinator, Jülich, Germany) and Dr. Vefa Moustafaev (UNESCO, Paris, France) is deeply acknowledged. Great help for a second project there by Dr. Ingo Fitting (BMBF project coordinator, Jülich and Berlin, Germany) and by Günter Winckler and Dr. Anneke Trux (GTZ-UNCCD project, Bonn, Germany) as well as by DAAD (Bonn) is greatly acknowledged, too. Many thanks to an unknown reviewer for thorough reading, critical remarks, and useful suggestions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology, Bielefeld, Germany

    Siegmar-W. Breckle

Authors
  1. Siegmar-W. Breckle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Siegmar-W. Breckle .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Inst. Botanik, TU Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, Darmstadt, 64287, Germany

    Ulrich Lüttge

  2. Faculty of Biologie, Experimental Ecology and, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany

    Wolfram Beyschlag

  3. , School of Biological Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3TL, United Kingdom

    Dennis Francis

  4. , MS330/Department of Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Virginia Street 1664 N., Reno, 89557-0330, Nevada, USA

    John Cushman

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Breckle, SW. (2013). From Aral Sea to Aralkum: An Ecological Disaster or Halophytes’ Paradise. In: Lüttge, U., Beyschlag, W., Francis, D., Cushman, J. (eds) Progress in Botany. Progress in Botany, vol 74. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-30967-0_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation