Nature Conservation in the Aral Sea Region: Barsa-Kelmes as an Example

Dimeyeva, L. A.; Ogar, N. P.; Alimbetova, Z.; Breckle, Siegmar‐W.

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-21117-1_14

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 4 publications

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“…In the Aral Sea region already exists "Barsa-Kelmes" Nature reserve, where ecosystems of northern deserts are protected, including the desiccated floor of the Aral Sea [52]. Taking into account the significance for biodiversity conservation it is proposed to establish the nature protected territory "Cluster area of the Syrdarya delta front" within the area of the "Barsa-Kelmes State Nature Reserve" [47].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural and Anthropogenic Dynamics of Vegetation in the Aral Sea Coast

Liliya¹

2015

AJEP

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Natural dynamics (primary successions) is studied in the dry seabed of the Aral Sea. Long-term studies of vegetation have identified three types of primary successions: psammosere, halosere and potamosere (sere of shrubby riparian vegetation). They differ by soil texture and salinity, patterns of temporal dynamics, and stages, selected on a basis of ecological-physiognomic features of dominant plants. Late seral stages were identified for succession types: psammophytic shrub (Calligonum spp, Astragalus brachypus, etc.) for psammosere; haloxerophytic and xerophytic dwarf semishrubs (Anabasis salsa, Artemisia pauciflora, A. terrae-albae) for halosere. There is a change of a dominant plant and succession dynamics in late seral stages in potamosere (Tamarix spp. → Calligonum spp, Haloxylon aphyllum, Artemisia terrae-albae). Anthropogenic dynamics of vegetation (secondary successions) depends on factors of disturbance. There is a set of anthropogenic factors causing degradation of vegetation cover: (1) agricultural: overgrazing, haymaking, plowing, clearing trees and shrubs; (2) linear structures (paved and dirt roads); (3) water management: construction and operation of hydraulic structures, fluctuation in river runoff and the sea level, disturbance in the natural flooding regime; (4) fires; (5) recreations. The leading factors in the region are connected with water management and irrigation. To identify the dynamics of plant communities and potential degradation trends, there are series of shifts (successional series): hydro-, xero-, halo-, psammo-seres characterizing moisture content and edaphic environments. Changes in the hydrologic regime of the Syrdarya river, building of the hydraulic structures lead to reduction of hydromorphic vegetation and a change it into halophytic desert. The construction of the Kokaral dam and restoration of the Small Aral Sea has led to the rehabilitation of wetlands and plant diversity. Hydrogenous succession facilitated a gradual recovery of populations of rare species listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan, IUCN, Europe (Scirpus kasachstanicus, Nymphoides peltatum, Salvinia natans, Typha minima).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural and Anthropogenic Dynamics of Vegetation in the Aral Sea Coast

Liliya¹

2015

AJEP

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

Breckle¹

2012

Progress in Botany

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Post-release Movement Behaviour and Survival of Kulan Reintroduced to the Steppes and Deserts of Central Kazakhstan

Kaczensky¹,

Salemgareyev²,

Linnell³

et al. 2021

Front. Conserv. Sci.

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Asiatic wild ass, or kulan (Equus hemionus kulan) were once a key species of the Eurasian steppes and deserts. In Kazakhstan they went extinct by the 1930s. Early reintroductions have reestablished the species in two protected areas, but the species has reclaimed <1% of their former range and remained absent from central Kazakhstan. To initiate restoration in this vast region, we captured and transported a first group of nine wild kulan to a large pre-release enclosure in the Torgai region in 2017, and two more in 2019. We used direct observations and post-release movement data of four kulan equipped with GPS-Iridium collars to document their adaptation process in a vast novel habitat without conspecifics. For comparison with movements in the source populations, we additionally equipped two kulan in Altyn Emel National Park and six in Barsa Kelmes State Nature Reserve. The nine transported kulan formed a cohesive group with very high movement correlation in the enclosure. After release, the group initially stayed tightly together but started to break up by mid-May and all kulan travelled independently by mid-August. With 48,680–136,953 km2, the 95% Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimation ranges of the reintroduced kulan were huge and about 10–100 times larger than those in the source populations. The reintroduced mares never reconnected, there was no evidence of successful reproduction, and two of the four collared mares were killed by poachers and one died of natural causes. At least one stallion survived in the wild, but the fate of the other uncollared animals remains unclear. We speculate that the fission-fusion dynamics and low movement correlation of kulan societies and the need for migratory movements harbours the risk that animals released into a novel environment loose contact with each other. This risk is likely enhanced in steppe habitats where movement constraining factors are absent. Further kulan reintroductions to the steppes and deserts of central Kazakhstan should aim to release larger groups and build up the free-ranging population quickly to reach a critical mass, increasing the chance of kulan encountering conspecifics to successfully breed and increase their chances of survival.

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Nature Conservation in the Aral Sea Region: Barsa-Kelmes as an Example

Cited by 3 publications

References 4 publications

Natural and Anthropogenic Dynamics of Vegetation in the Aral Sea Coast

Natural and Anthropogenic Dynamics of Vegetation in the Aral Sea Coast

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

Post-release Movement Behaviour and Survival of Kulan Reintroduced to the Steppes and Deserts of Central Kazakhstan

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