CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS - Celebrating Pastoral Life. Heritage and Economic Development
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de Rancour, M., Fois, M., Lavin, M.P., Tchakerian, E. and Vallerand, F., 2006. ”Mediterranean sheep and
goats production: An uncertain future”. Small Ruminant Research, 62, 167–179.
Rural Sustainability and Management of Natural
Resources in Tian Shan Region, Central Asia
Dover, J.W., Spencer, S., Collins, S., Hadjigeorgiou, I. and Rescia, A., 2011. “Grassland butterflies and
low intensity farming in Europe”, Journal of Insect Conservation 15: 129-137.
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Ernst and Young France, 2008. French Livestock Institute and National Experts. The future of the
sheep-meat and goat-meat sectors in Europe. Study commissioned by the European Parliament
(IP/B/AGRI/IC/2007_043). Available online: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/
etudes/join/2008/397253/IPOL-AGRI_ET(2008)397253_EN.pdf
Georgoudis A., Baltas, A., Tsafaras, C., Ligda, C., Danou, E., and Fragos, K., 2001. “Developing
biodiversity indicators for the livestock in Greece”, Proceedings of an OECD Expert Meeting on Agribiodiversity Indicators, 5-8 November 2001, Zurich, Switzerland. Available online: http://www.
oecd.org/dataoecd/9/59/40351142.pdf
Hadjigeorgiou, I., Vallerand, F., Tsimpoukas, K., and Zervas, G., 2002. “The socio-economics of
sheep and goat farming in Greece and the implications for future rural development”, Options
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Hadjigeorgiou, I., Osoro, K., Fragoso de Almeida, J.R., and Molle, G., 2005. “Southern European grazing
lands: Production, environmental and landscape management aspects”, Livestock Production
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www.pastoralismjournal.com/content/1/1/24.
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Greek and English). Available online: http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0902_00034.pdf
Poux, X., Beaufoy, G., Bignal, E., Hadjigeorgiou, I., Ramain, B. and Susmel, P., 2006. Study on
environmental consequences of sheep and goat farming and of the sheep and goat premium
system. Available online: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/eval/reports/sheep2007/full_text_en.pdf
Stefanakis, A., Volanis, M., Zoiopoulos, P., and Hadjigeorgiou I., 2007. “Assessing the potential benefits
of technical intervention in evolving the semi-intensive dairy-sheep farms in Crete”, Small Ruminant
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Charles University, Faculty of Science, Department of Ecology, Czech Republic
pauline.lemenkova@gmail.com
Abstract
The research examines aspects of natural and cultural heritage and environmental management
in Tian Shan region, Central Asia. This region is outstanding for the richness of natural resources,
landscapes and ecosystems. Natural resources of Tian Shan are exceptional: the ecosystems
include numerous protected and rare species, endemics, unique coniferous forests, rich biodiversity.
However, nowadays the ecosystems experience environmental and anthropogenic impacts. After the
disintegration of the Soviet Union (1990s), there is a clear shift of the Central Asian society back to the
subsistence agriculture with recovered traditional style of life: private land use and cattle grazing on
mountain pastures. Therefore, the anthropogenic impacts are presented by the livestock husbandry
and nomadic pastures, since the majority of the local population now maintain traditional style of
life. The livestock is increased, and strong grazing pressure become transform to overgrazing. This
leads to unsustainable agriculture and overgrazing caused by cattle herds, and affects sustainability
in mountainous landscapes. Given the unique ecology of the region, special measures should be
taken to maintain ecosystems’ sustainability. The sustainable management of natural resources in
this unique region needs stimulating balanced co-existence of man and nature, and requires quality
insights and acquaintanceship. Nevertheless, the information about Tian Shan environment is the
least available comparing to other Eurasian mountains, and there is lack of regular environmental
monitoring programmes cooperated at the cross-country level. This research contributes to regional
monitoring of Tian Shan, providing analysis of its environmental situation and examining ways for the
sustainable use of natural resources
Keywords: Tian Shan, natural resources, rural sustainability, environment, monitoring
Introduction
Tian Shan, or the ‘Celestial Mountains’, is one of the largest world high mountain systems,
covering 800 000 km². Region of Tian Shan has unique geopolitical location in Central Asia (fig.1): it
crosses five densely populated countries: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
Volanis, M., Stefanakis, A., Hadjigeorgiou, I. and Zoiopoulos, P.E., 2007. “Supporting the extensive
dairy sheep smallholders of the semi-arid region of Crete through technical intervention”, Tropical
Animal Health and Production, 39, 325-334.
Zervas, G. 1998. “Quantifying and optimising grazing regimes in Greek mountain systems”, Journal of
Applied Ecology, 35: 983-986.
Figure 1 Tian Shan mountain range
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Rural Sustainability and Management of Natural Resources in Tian Shan Region, Central Asia
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In the past decades the environment of the Tian Shan faced environmental challenges and
potential threats of natural and anthropogenic origin, which cause changes in the landscape
structure of mountainous environment. The climate change mainly impacts glacier areas in the
Tian Shan region triggering ice sheet melting, retreat of glaciers and decrease of snow coverage in
high mountains. According to the numerous reports (e.g., Bolch, 2007; Giese and Mossig, 2004;
Narama et al., 2006; Niederer et al., 2008; Solomina et al., 2004), in the last decades the Tian
Shan glaciers are affected by the overall increase of the temperatures, which is caused by global
climate warming.
steep slopes, river valleys
and
basins
(Ferghana,
Naryn, Issyk-Kul, Turfan).
The majority of Tian Shan
ranges extends in west-east
direction with the exception
of Fergana Kyrka Mountains
(Fig.2) which extends from
southeast
to
northwest
direction, splitting Central
Tian Shan from the Western
and Southern regions. The
geomorphic structure of
Tian Shan varies in western
and eastern parts, as well as
in external and internal parts
Figure 2 Orographic structure of Tian Shan. Source: Great Soviet Encyclopedia
of the Tien-Shan, according
to the orographic structure.
In the inner regions, the typical are high plateaux with smooth relief and the largest glaciers. Northern
and western Tien-Shan ranges have alpine relief with well-formed valleys (Bondarev et al., 1997).
As a consequence, the glaciers reduce in their size drastically. As reported by Aizen et al. (1997),
the decrease in snow resources occurred almost everywhere in the Tian Shan, and detected since past
60 years. The maximum snow thickness and snow duration have decreased on average 10 cm and 9
days, respectively.
Another existing problem has man-made character. unsustainable agriculture, and rising land use
pressure since past 1990s lead to the over-use of natural resources. The fall of the uSSR triggered
changes in life style of local population. Nowadays people tend to maintain traditional style of life
which implies intense agrarian and agricultural activities. Example of this is increasing overgrazing and
expansion of pastures into the adjacent walnut-fruit forests on the slopes of Tian Shan. The landscapes
change also due to the natural ecological reasons, which includes wildfires and plant succession
and encroaching. For instance, meadows in Aksu-Jabagly Nature Reserve, South Kazakhstan are
being replaced by juniper woodlands (Wagner, 2009). Examples of other negative environmental
consequences include, for example, flood hazards from montane rivers and glaciers (Jansky et al.,
2010).
1. Natural resources
1.1 Mountainous landscapes
Natural landscapes of Tian Shan include various reserves of both mineral and non-mineral resources,
as well as reserves of oil and natural gas. Deposits of Tian Shan include tin, tungsten, polymetallic ores,
copper, cobalt, etc. Geologically, Tien Shan mountains form a part of the ural-Mongolian geosynclinal
folded belts, formed in Paleozoic Era and composed of crystalline and sedimentary rocks (Shultz,
1948). Traditionally, Tian Shan is divided into Northern, Central and Southern regions due to the
regional differences of geologic origin and development during the mountain-building period. The
Northern Tian Shan is the oldest region, formed during Caledonian folding, and Southern Tian Shan is
the youngest, formed in Hercynian folding.
The geologic development in Mesozoic and Cenozoic Era at Northern and Central Tian Shan
differs from that of the Southern Tian Shan. Accordingly, there are differences in geologic structure
of Northern and Southern parts of Tian Shan. Thus, Northern and Central regions underwent intense
folding during the early Paleozoic Era. Uplift and erosion formed a platform with a thin cover layer of
continental clastic sediments. In western Tian Shan there are gold and quartz deposits. Natural gas
and oil are discovered in Ferghana and Tajik valleys. Finally, there are numerous deposits of nonmetallic mineral resources: marble, limestone, gypsum, etc. Southern Tian Shan, on the contrary,
mainly consists of sedimentary marine, continental and lagoonal deposits, fluvial, lacustrine and
moraine sediments in the intermontane basins, but also intrusive, volcanic and metamorphosed rocks.
The regional differences are also noticeable in orography of the Tian Shan. Hence, folded structures in
the north generally extend in sub-latitudinal and north-western direction, while the southern faults are
mostly sub-latitudinal narrowing eastwards.
on the south the folds of southern Tian Shan are constrained by the Afghan-Tajik and Tarim
Precambrian massifs (Fig. 2).In brief description of the geomorphological settings of Tian Shan mountains,
a review of the regional characteristics and most important geomorphic structures of Tian Shan is
performed, according to the regional orographic structure: Western, Northern, Central and Eastern
Tian Shan. The geomorphology of Tian Shan is represented by a complex system of mountain ranges,
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1.2 regional patterns
The favourable conditions for extensive pasture in Tian Shan region are created by the specific
mountainous topography (Fig.4). Western Tian Shan is geographically located in Kyrgyzstan. In general,
the terrain relief of the Western Tian Shan is very rugged which causes local climatic differences,
depending on the altitude and topographic exposition. The altitudinal zonation in western Tian Shan is
clearly expressed (Gvozdetsky and Mikhailov, 1978). The main mountain range of Western Tian Shan
is Talas Alatau (Fig.2), a narrow cliffy ridge which spreads in westward direction in the western part
of Kyrgyzstan dividing watersheds of Talas and Chirchiq rivers. The Talas Alatau is connected to the
smaller ranges: Chatkal Range framing Ferghana valley on the north; Sandalysh; Maidan-Tal; Pskem
Mountain Range, which serves as a natural border between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan; Ugam and
Karjantau Mountain Range (Chupakhin, 1964). These ranges are sub-divided into several ridges.
Many small rivers originate in the glaciers and snowfields on the plateaux and ranges in this
region, flow down the slopes and feed two major flows of the western Tien Shan-Chatkal and Pskem
rivers. In the south-eastern slopes of the ridge Chatkal many rivers flow to the Ferghana Valley into
Syr Darya river. However, their waters are mostly taken for irrigation. There are only few mountain
lakes in the western Tian Shan with the most known lake Sary-Chelek. Small-sized lakes of landslide
or moraine origin are located in the valleys of the small rivers. Ranges of Eastern Tian Shan are
almost entirely located in western China, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The city of Urumqi is
situated between the ranges Bogda and uken. The Borokhoro Range, the westernmost extremity in
the Kazakhstan, the Avral-Ula and the Narat Range form three ’fork tines’ which gradually merge in
eastward direction from 80°E (Fig.2). The Barkol Tagh Range is the easternmost part of Tian Shan
bordering on Dzhungar Gobi desert zone (Gvozdetsky and Mikhailov, 1978). The Eastern region of Tian
Shan has the most extreme topography in Tian Shan system. Since both the highest and the lowest
points of Tian Shan are located on the east, the differences in altitude elevations exceed 7,000 m.
The tallest peak in Tian Shan is Victory Peak located on the Chinese-Kyrgyz border, reaching 7,439
m. This region is notable for inaccessible gorges, typical alpine steep slopes with glaciers. Another
notable mountain peak is Khan Tangri Peak, the highest point in Kazakhstan, with 6,995 m. The lowest
altitude of Tian Shan and the lowest point in the Central Asia, is Turfan Depression (China), with depth
of -154 m from the sea level. Northern Tian Shan occupies relatively small part in Kazakhstan from
the total area of Tian Shan system. The Issyk Kul Lake naturally divides Northern Tian Shan from the
Central and Southern regions. Main orographic mountain ridges of the Northern Tian Shan are Kungey
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Rural Sustainability and Management of Natural Resources in Tian Shan Region, Central Asia
PoLINA LEMENKoVA
ecosystems (Zlotin, 1978). To support and preserve such unique natural ecosystems, several Natural
Research Parks were created in Tian Shan area, of which five the most important are acknowledged by
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), developed to protect
unique environment: 1) Issyk-Kul Biosphere Reserve (Kyrgyzstan), UNESCO ’Man and the Biosphere’
programme; 2) State Kazakhstan National Natural Park ’Altyn-Emel’, a UNESCO World Heritage object
(Fig.3); 3) Aksu-Zhabagly National Park (Kazakhstan); 4) Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve (Kyrgyzstan),
a World Biosphere reserve designated by UNESCO; 5) Ugam-Chatkal National Park (Uzbekistan), a
UNESCO World Biosphere reserve. These National reserves maintain thousands of hectares of precious
forests, meadows, and other natural reservoirs (for example, unique ancient rock carvings dated 1-2
millennia B.C. are found in Chatkal Biosphere Reserve, Uzbekistan).
Table 1 Land use Statistics in Central Asia. Source: FAo, 2006.
Figure 3 Landscapes of Altyn-Emel National Natural Park (Kazakhstan). Source: altyn-emel.kz
Alatau and Zailysky Alatau. They form the geomorphic basis of the northern region. outer important
chains of the northern Tien Shan, isolated apart from the main massif, are Ketmen Range and a
Kyrgys Range (Svarichevskaya, 1965). Central (or Inner) Tian Shan includes Terskey Alatau Range
with heights raising up to 5300 m, which forms a natural arch surrounding Issyk Kul lake (Fig.2). To
the south of Issyk Kul Lake, the geomorphic structure is presented by the wide river valleys, plateaus,
and peripheral mountain ranges (Zlotin, 1978). This region is formed by complex of alternating short
mountain ranges and valleys extending westwards. The most important ranges of the Central Tian
Shan are Borkoldoy, Dzhetym, At-Bashy, and the Kakshaal Ranges; the highest point is Dankova Peak
reaching 5,982 m.
The mountain heights increases from southern to the north-eastern direction, with highest peaks
of Khan Tangri Peak and Victory Peak in the east. The southernmost ranges of Tian Shan include Alay
and Zeravshan, adjoining the Pamir Mountains.
2. Environmental settings
2.1 vegetation coverage
The region of Tian Shan mountains has unique biota structure, generally divided into two large
groups: humid, typical for forest, and arid, i.e. located in deserts (Zlotin, 1978). The arid ecosystems
are dominating in steppe areas and deserts of Tian Shan.
Country
Total Land Area
(million ha)
Rainfed
Irrigated
Pastures and
rangelands
Kazakhstan
269,970
18,994
2,312
Kyrgyzstan
19,180
0,238
1,072
9,365
Uzbekistan
42,540
0,419
4,281
22,219
185,098
Tajikistan
13,996
0,208
0,722
3,198
Turkmenistan
46,993
0,400
1,800
30,700
Total
392,679
20,259
10,187
250,580
The endemic flora of National Parks in Tian Shan region counts to thousands of rare and unique
species typical to this region and not found elsewhere. The climatic settings of Tian Shan in general
are typical continental. However, there are local climatic differences formed in various geographic
conditions: the most extremely cold and dry climate is in inner parts of mountains on the high plateaux,
while northern and western slopes of Tien-Shan are characterised by more temperate climate. Thus,
the mean summer temperature is 3.7ºC at the altitude of the Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA) in the
western regions and -8.1ºC in the east; the annual precipitation is 1500-2000 mm in the west and
200–400 mm in the east, respectively (Bondarev et al., 1997). The northern slopes of Tian Shan, such
as Kyrgyz Alatau and Zailinsky Alatau, have major influence of cyclonic activity. Precipitation in Tian
They include many endemic species, typical for desert arid areas. For humid regions of Tian Shan
typical are arctic and boreal species that area
characteristic for humid ecosystems (meadows)
and tundras.
Figure 4 Sheep herds in Kyrgyzstan mountains. Source:
boorsok.ru
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Such unique, complex and mixed ecosystem
structure is formed by complex migration and
colonisation processes of vegetation and animal
elements in Pleistocene epoch of Quaternary. As
a result, the ecosystems of Tian Shan region have
unique biodiversity phytogeographic composition
which includes many endemics and rare species
introduced from several phytogeographical groups:
Middle Asian, Irano-Turanian and Pontic-Siberian,
as well as northern (Siberian) and Eurasian
species (Wagner, 2009). About 70% of species
(both animal and plants) have specific south Asian
distribution, mostly typical for steppe and desert
Figure 5 Schrenk forests in Tian Shan. Source: Forest library
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Rural Sustainability and Management of Natural Resources in Tian Shan Region, Central Asia
PoLINA LEMENKoVA
Shan reaches its maximal level in spring and summer seasons, which coincides with the ice and snow
melt. In winter the Siberian anticyclone prevents much precipitation in this area (Aizen et al., 1996).
In general, the precipitation also increases with altitude. According to the moisture conditions, i.e.
precipitation and evaporation, the alpine zone in Tian Shan ranges is similar to the zonal ecosystems
of other mountain vegetation alpine zones in boreal and subboreal palearctic regions (Zlotin, 1978).
The grazing routes are determined by the geographic location of the pastures: those near the
settlements are over-utilised, whereas remotely located pastures are frequently abandoned (Ludi,
2003). These factors of high anthropogenic pressure and non-sustainable grazing pose major threats
to the local environment and may have severe negative impacts on sensitive mountain ecosystems.
2.2 Landscape Types
The landscape structure and vegetation coverage in Tian-Shan vary significantly on different
altitudes and in external and internal regions (Bondarev et al., 1997). The inner parts of Tian Shan
ranges have scarce and poor vegetation coverage comparing to the valleys of the northern and western
slopes. Similar to other mountain ranges, Tian Shan ecosystems can be divided into vegetation belts.
The highest altitudinal belts include nival which starts at 4400 m AMSL, and sub-nival at heights 4000
to 4400m. The largest area, occupying area of 30%-40% from the total, is represented by the alpine
vegetational belt, located above the tree line at heights 3000 to 4000m. The alpine belt has complex
structure and is separated into several sub-divisions. These include tundra plant community, moist
meadows, steppe meadows, cold steppes, dry steppes, semi-deserts and deserts (Zlotin, 1978). The
slopes of the mountains at altitudes 2000 to 3000m are mostly covered by precious coniferous forests
of Schrenk’s Spruce (Picea schrenkiana), recorded in the International union for Conservation of
Nature (IuCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
The unique coniferous pine Shrenk forests play important role in the ecosystems of the Tian Shan,
being hot spots of biodiversity, rich in species and resources (Fig.5). Besides, they serve as a buffer
belt against flooding and low-water runoff. The lower slopes are covered by mixed forests of wild
Persian walnut (Juglans regia), wild fruits and apple (Malus domestica). other examples of species
presented in Tian Shan wood and shrubland include, e.g., maple (Acer turkestanicum), Turkestan
juniper (Juniperus), oriental plane (Platanus orientalis), pomegranate (Punica granatum), Caucasian
persimmon, or date-plum, (Diospyros lotus), rowan (Sorbus) (Wagner, 2009). Montane grass-forb
(mixed grasses) meadows are typical for the steppe alpine belt. The south-western region of Tian
Shan is an exceptional area with respect to the biodiversity and species richness, e.g., growing walnut
and fruit forests, grasslands rich in endemics and unique Euro-siberian species.
3. overgrazing Effects on Mountainous Slopes
The anthropogenic influence in Tian Shan mountains is mainly presented by the livestock
husbandry and nomadic pastures, since the majority of the local population maintain traditional
style of life (Fig.6). Grazing of herds on mountain pastures is a typical activity practiced by the local
population (Tab.1). For example, in Kyrgyzstan livestock husbandry occupies in total 85% of the total
agricultural area, which also includes arable land: legume feed, lucerne, barley, and crop by-products
such as hay and straw (Wilson, 1997). The livestock grazing activity has been kept by local population
for centuries until middle of XX century, when the economic and land use structure was forced to state
farms and sedentary lifestyle.
However, after the disintegration of the Soviet union, since 1990s, there is a clear shift of the
Central Asian society back to the subsistence agriculture with recovered traditional style of life: private
land use and cattle grazing on mountain pastures. Consequently, the livestock numbers are increased,
and corresponding strong grazing pressure become more intense up to overgrazing (Borchardt et al.,
2011). This causes detrimental effect on Tian Shan landscapes, affecting species composition and
structure of plant communities, e.g. decreasing relic and endemic species.
As a result, rare Euro-Siberian and Middle Asian species, which include several endemic plants,
are now became endangered, due to the increased overgrazing (Borchardt et al., 2010). Furthermore,
cattle trampling cause soil erosion and degradation of shrubland and vulnerable habitats. Another
characteristics of unsustainable grazing is geographic unbalance in grazing areas. The nomadism
has seasonal character, with intensive grazing in the summer months in high altitudes and migration
downwards in winter.
86
Currently, about 50 million hectares of pastures in Kazakhstan are declined and gradually degrading.
This was announced in 2012 by the deputies of the Kazakh Parliament. To deal with problem, a draft
law “On pastures” was discussed and reported by the Tengrinews.kz. The main aim of the current
environmental issue is to analyse current state of the prevailing practice of pasture resources in
Kazakhstan and to maintain environmental stability. Thus, according to the World Resources Institute,
grazing land in the country is covered 188 million hectares, or 70 percent of the entire area. Of these,
the degraded land covers more than 48 million hectares, or 26 percent of the total area, which is
more than one fourth, i.e. a significant part of the territory. In view of this, it is intended at the
governmental level of Kazakhstan to create sustainable, modern and effective ways of the rational
land use of pastures in Tian Shan. The main current aim of the environmental policy in Kazakhstan
is to improve the infrastructure of pastures, to prevent further degradation of pasture lands, as well
as to maintain and increase the conservation of the ecological integrity of the ecosystems in the
environment. The improvement will address issues of pasture management, the conditions governing
the legal status of the pastures, and the maintain further sustainable way of use of pastures, as a basis
for the development of livestock in Kazakhstan.
4. Conclusion
The effective solving of the existing environmental problems in mountainous regions of Tian Shan
has a common basis in all its sub-regions. For example, the use of pastures in the border areas and
grazing leading to land degradation is the same for Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Not sustainable way of land use and inadequate agriculture management in the fields of Tian Shan valleys are
another example of a common environmental problem for all Central Asian republics. The problem of
deforestation in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is one of the major causes of soil erosion on the mountain
slopes, which not only leads to desertification of mountain areas, but also causes silting of debris from
the rivers and lakes. other anthropogenic effects include, for instance, mining Industry. The mining
industrial sector of the republics of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan worked in close collaboration
during the Soviet era. Therefore, many ecological problems became deeply interconnected and triggered related problems. In addition, many mining and processing enterprises are located in famous
Fergana Valley, which is a part of all the three Central Asian republics of Tian Shan basin. Regardless of
the exact location, the business activities in Fergana valley are causing water and air pollution, as well as
soil degradation which affect neighbouring countries as well. Construction and exploitation of roads in
mountainous areas of Tian Shan is
not only a difficult engineering task,
but also a significant factor in changing the landscape and the natural
ecosystem boundaries, leading to
habitat change and environmental
degradation. Single mountain system of the Central Asian republics,
determines the identity of the origin
and occurrence of natural disasters
(earthquakes, landslides, etc). The
overgrazing, degradation of pasture
and lack of effective management in
agriculture are the most important
Figure 6 Kyrgyzstan. Son-Kuul Pasture. Source: quad-offroad.com
factors that affect the sustainable
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Rural Sustainability and Management of Natural Resources in Tian Shan Region, Central Asia
PoLINA LEMENKoVA
conditions of the mountainous ecosystems of Tian Shan, together with other factors (e.g., such as
construction of roads, natural cataclysms, Illegal logging, mining industry).
Giese, E., & Mossig, I., 2004. “Klimawandel in Zentralasien”. Schriftenreihe des Zentrums Internationale
Entwicklungs- und Umweltforschung, 17. Giessen.
Dealing with environmental problems of this unique region is only possible in close cooperation
of all neighbouring countries and with support of intensive monitoring of the region. The history of
Tian Shan monitoring is relatively young. The exploration, regular observations and descriptions of
Tian Shan mountains began since the middle of the XIX century, organised as hydro-meteorological
network, by Russian Main Geophysical Observatory. By 1991, in total about 2000 Russian scientific
hydro-meteorological stations were organised in locations at 700-3500 m altitude (Aizen et al.,
2006). However, Tian Shan mountains and surrounding region are the least known to the European
researchers, comparing to other highland areas in Eurasia (Himalayas, Alps, Caucasus, Pyrenees). It is
mostly explained by the hardly possible access to this region. The hydro-meteorological data from these
stations provide key information about hydrological regime and meteorological conditions of this region.
Using these data, changes in climatic conditions in Tian Shan have been detected (e.g., Aizen et al.,
2006; Kutuzov and Shahgedanova, 2009; Bazhev et al., 1975). Nowadays, the region of Tian Shan still
remains hardly accessible for regular research fieldwork. There is still limited availability of knowledge
in very specific areas of Tian Shan studies. Thus, for example, it is noticed (Borchardt et al., 2011) that
there is no information on plant communities in mountain pastures in Tian Shan, and their relationships
with the environment. Also it is difficult to obtain reliable information on the exact amount of current
cattle livestock grazing in the mountain pastures. Since direct environmental analysis and observations
are very limited in this region, the advantages of the usage of modern monitoring methods, such as
remotely sensed data and GPS tools become evident. Therefore, the perspectives of monitoring of Tian
Shan pastures are deeply connected to the application of remotely sensed data (e.g. satellite multispectral and hyper-spectral imagery, aerial imagery from the Google Earth), usage of cutting-edge GIS
technologies and close collaboration of governmental and scientific research communities.
Gvozdetsky, N.A, and Mikhailov, N.I., 1978. Physical Geography of the USSR. Moscow: Mysl [in
Russian].
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