Skip to content

Nature

Central Asian ecology

by Paul Robinson 23 Jul 2013
Central Asian ecology

This is the large falcon, the saker, who represents flying perfection, unfortunately in the Arabian peninsula. This is a terrible threat for the wild populations of the mountains of central Asia; Saker falcon image; Shutterstock

We write about ecological disasters and pollution in many countries, but it is a common occurrence for human curiosity to miss the obvious. While many seas of the world suffer overfishing and dumping silently, some are actually disappearing. Those 20 species of fish that recently lived in the Aral Sea are extinct, while the Caspian, the Black Sea and many other lakes and rivers suffer similar fates.

The Aral died when irrigation from its 2 main feeder rivers caused it to shrink by up to 80%! The Amu Darya, once known to Alexander the Great as the ancient Oxu, now disappears into a vastly enlarged desert instead of flowing to the Aral. Incredible management, long ago, by the USSR, but we have all heard the kind of agricultural based, monocultural madness that robs water from those who need it.

Discounting for the moment the intense human effects, wildlife is the essence of theses environments. The raptors that relied on the Aral Sea are presently endangered species. The cinereous vulture, Aegypius monachus, and the saker falcon, Falco cherrug, are huge birds of prey that hold out here in mountain refugia with the Isabelline brown bear, the lynx and the snow leopard accompanying these two rare raptors. The saker falcon is renowned for the large and illegal trade from the region to the Arabian peninsula, where gentlemen like to pay huge sums to fly them.

There are also many insects and reptiles that are endemic to central Asia, given the unique geophysical features and climatic variations. A German organisation has a presence in one of the largest nations of the area, in Uzbekistan, encouraging environmental concerns and nature reserves. Jens Wunderlich reports that, "Uzbekistan is home to many globally threatened species of animals and plants. 9% of Uzbekistan's 4,800 plant species are endemic; the country's vertebrate species include more than 50 % endemics, among them 15.4 % of its mammals. The Red Data Book of Uzbekistan (2009) contains 184 endangered species of animals."

As we said, the greater investigation of reptiles and insect fauna in the future may produce some new varieties and species for us, when research into their genetics begins. Ecotourism in central Asia is, of course, quite developed in this largely un-populated mountainous part of the world. Many more tourists will flock there if species of all kinds are obviously packaged for their photography. That is opposed to some of the "hunting" that has been advertised by people who obviously don't understand the direction in which most people are thinking in 2013.

Endangered species are however strictly protected in Uzbekistan within large reserves. The houbara bustard, ferruginous duck and marbled teal can be found safe inside the Ecocentre Jeiran near Bukhara, alongside many migratory birds. The largest reserve is further south, on the Gizzara Ridge. Since 1983, the State Reserve there has consisted of almost 81,000 hectares of meadow, forest and reservoirs. It is situated near Kashkadarya.

Tugai is the name given to the forest that has developed along the flood plains of rivers further north, surviving especially near Samarkand. Tamarix ramosissima and Tamarix hispida, along with poplars and sea buckthorn withstand the high soil salt concentrations. Around 8000 of a rare variety of white-winged pheasant, the Zerafshan pheasant and many other species such as boar, bald badger, porcupine and white-headed owl shelter in these "gallery forests."

These reserves are well-protected, long-established and presenting a wide variety of fauna and flora, living in habitats that vary from juniper forests to small lakes. Pollution has taken its toll, both in former Soviet times and currently from aluminium smelting. The possibility of a bleak future can be put off if tourists realise that these parts of Asia are worth visiting, even if the probability of a snow leopard sighting is fairly low. Endemics alone are of major interest, or it is possible to observe the many migrants passing by and through the mountains.

We look forward to more scientists providing species counts and different aspects of the wilderness that still covers both high alpine pasture and low desert scrub regions, in Uzbekistan and the rest of Central Asia. Some specially protected areas and reserves are listed via a government site.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping