Vegetation of Central Asia and Environs (eBook)

Dr. Dilfuza Egamberdieva graduated with a degree in biology from the National University of Uzbekistan and received her PhD in Agricultural Sciences from the Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany in 2000. She conducted her postdoctoral studies at the Helsinki University of Finland, University of Florence, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Leiden University of Netherlands. She has a long-term experience in plant and soil biotechnology research and has collaborated widely with scientists across the world. She served as international project coordinator in her home country on a variety oftopics, including soil improvement, crop productivity, food security and sustainable management of natural resources. She is member of the Asian PGPR Society for Sustainable Agriculture. Dr. Egamberdieve is the recipient of numerous fellowships and awards, including the UNESCO-L’OREAL Fellowship for Women in Science, Alexander Von Humboldt Fellowship. In 2012 she recieved the TWAS Prize in Agricultural Sciences for her contributions to the study of plant-microbe interactions in stressed environments. She is a member of several journal editorial boards, the author of four books, and co-author of over 100 publications related to plant nutrition, agricultural biotechnology and soil fertility.Dr. Münir Öztürk (Ph.D., D.Sc.) has served at the Ege University Izmir, Turkey for 50 years.. His fields of scientific interest are plant ecophysiology, medicinal and aromatic plants, conservation of plant diversity; biosaline agriculture and crops, and pollution and biomonitoring. He has over 450 publications to his credit, including 42 books, 68 book chapters and nearly 200 papers in impact factor journals. He currently serves asVice President of the Islamic World Academy of Sciences. He has received fellowships from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Japanese Society for Promotion of Science, and National Science Foundation (USA). Dr. Ozturk has served as Chairman of the Botany Department and Founding Director of the Centre for Environmental Studies at the Ege University in Izmir, Turkey., He has also served  as Consultant Fellow for the Faculty of Forestry at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, and as Distinguished Visiting Scientist for the ICCBS, Karachi University, Pakistan.

Foreword 5
Preface 8
Acknowledgments 11
Contents 12
Contributors 14
About the Editors 17
Chapter 1: Spatiotemporal Assessment of Vegetation Trends in the Post-Soviet Central Asia 19
1.1 Introduction 20
1.2 Study Area 21
1.3 Methods 22
1.3.1 Satellite Data Processing 22
1.3.2 Derivation of Seasonal Vegetation Metrics from NDVI and Climatic Data 23
1.3.3 Seasonal Trend Analysis 23
1.4 Results and discussion 23
1.4.1 Observations 23
1.4.2 Spatial Patterns of Vegetation, Precipitation, and Temperature Trends 25
1.5 Conclusions 28
References 29
Chapter 2: Drought Variability and Land Degradation in Central Asia: Assessment Using Remote Sensing Data and Drought Indices 32
2.1 Introduction 33
2.2 Materials and Methods 35
2.2.1 Location 35
2.2.1.1 Climatic Parameters and Description. 36
Precipitation in Central Asia Between 1982 and 2015 36
2.2.2 Classification of Targeted Area 38
2.2.2.1 Datasets and Methods 40
2.2.2.2 Climatic Variables 41
2.2.2.3 A Drought Index: The Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) 41
2.2.2.4 Vegetation Indices: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) 43
2.2.2.5 Probalistic Methods to Predict and Monitor Further Status of Landscapes (Kriging) 43
2.3 Results 44
2.3.1 Long-Term Trends of SPIE Data (1950–2017) for Selected Areas 45
2.3.1.1 Uzbekistan 47
2.3.1.2 Kazakhstan 48
2.3.1.3 Turkmenistan 50
2.3.1.4 Tajikistan 50
2.3.1.5 Kyrgyzstan 52
2.3.2 Summary About Droughts for Central Asia 54
2.3.3 Statistical Description of Annual Trend Analysis of Droughts and Their Residuals 54
2.3.4 Resilience of Ecosystem and an Assessment of the Consequences of Current Factors for Vegetation Trends 56
2.3.5 Ongoing Process and Early Drought Detection with the Kriging Method 60
2.4 Conclusion 61
References 62
Chapter 3: NDVI-Based Monitoring Long-Term Vegetation Change Dynamics in the Drylands of Central Asia 65
3.1 Introduction 66
3.2 Study Sites 67
3.2.1 Climatic Conditions in Central Asia 68
3.2.2 Detailed Information for Selected Eco-regions and Their Land Use and Land Cover Change Data 70
3.2.3 Kyzylorda Region–Kazakhstan 70
3.2.4 Gorno-Badakhschon Autonomous Region–Tajikistan 71
3.2.5 Navoi Region–Uzbekistan 73
3.2.6 Jalalabad Region–Kyrgyzstan 73
3.2.7 Lebap (Former Chordjou) Region–Turkmenistan 74
3.3 Materials and Methods 75
3.3.1 Vegetation Datasets 75
3.3.1.1 GIMMS 3g 75
3.3.1.2 Sentinel-NDVI 75
3.3.2 Trend Analysis 75
3.3.3 Time Series Decomposition 76
3.3.4 Seasonal Mann–Kendall Trend Test 76
3.4 Results 77
3.4.1 Monitoring NDVI Characteristics and Dynamics for Selected Arid and Humid Regions During 1982–2015 in Central Asia 77
3.4.2 Gorno-Badakhschon Autonomous Region-Tajikistan 77
3.4.3 Sentinel-2 NDVI Scenes for Efficiency Description of Crop and Shrublands as Examples for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan 78
3.4.4 Decomposition and Seasonal NDVI Accumulation in Selected Provinces of Central Asia 78
3.4.5 Kyzylorda Region–Kazakhstan 79
3.4.6 Navoi Region-Uzbekistan 83
3.4.7 Gorno-Badakhschon Autonomous Region–Tajikistan 83
3.4.8 Jalalabad Region–Kyrgyzstan 84
3.4.9 Lebap Region–Turkmenistan 84
3.5 Discussion 85
3.5.1 Expansion of Agricultural Lands in Central Asia After 1992 85
3.5.2 Recession/Decline of Agricultural Lands in Central Asia 86
References 87
Chapter 4: Deforestation: A Continuous Battle—A Case Study from Central Asia and Other Countries 88
4.1 Introduction 89
4.2 Deforestation: Past and Present 90
4.3 Global Trends in Deforestation 92
4.4 Economic and Environmental Perspective of the Forests 93
4.5 Forests and Biofuels: Source of Charcoal and Fuel Energy 95
4.6 General Causes and Types of Deforestation 97
4.7 Deforestation and Its Effects 98
4.8 Habitat for Species and Forestry 100
4.9 Research on Deforestation 102
4.10 Diversity and Ecological Significance of Forests 106
4.10.1 Central Asia 106
4.10.2 Kazakhstan 108
4.10.3 Kyrgyzstan 109
4.10.4 Turkmenistan 112
4.10.5 Uzbekistan 113
4.10.6 Tajikistan 116
4.10.7 Karakoram 121
4.10.8 Other Countries 121
4.11 Conclusions 123
References 125
Websites 131
Chapter 5: Vegetation Classification and Habitat Mapping of Dachigam National Park, Kashmir, India 133
5.1 Introduction 134
5.2 Study Area 135
5.3 Vegetation Sampling 137
5.4 Analysis 138
5.5 Vegetation and Habitat Mapping 138
5.6 Observations 140
References 155
Chapter 6: Vegetation Diversity of Kashmir and Its Sustainable Use 157
6.1 Introduction 157
6.2 Floristic Features of Kashmir Himalaya 159
6.3 Brief Overview of Vegetation of Kashmir 163
6.4 Brief Overview of the Utilization of Plant Resources in Kashmir Himalaya 168
6.5 Major Conservation Threats 172
6.6 Management Options 173
References 174
Chapter 7: Medicinal Plants of Tajikistan 176
7.1 Introduction 177
7.2 Geography, Climate, and Vegetation 177
7.3 Historical Aspects of the Medicinal Plants in Tajikistan 181
7.4 Plant Secondary Metabolites 185
7.4.1 Alkaloid-Bearing Plants 185
7.4.1.1 Anabasis turkestanica (Korovin & Iljin) and Anabasis aphylla L.: Amaranthaceae
7.4.1.2 Astragalus quisqualis Bunge: Fabaceae 185
7.4.1.3 Genus Berberis (Zilol, Zirk (Tajik)): Berberidaceae 185
7.4.1.4 Capparis spinosa L. (Kavar (Tajik)): Capparaceae 188
7.4.1.5 Conium maculatum L. (Tutakali (Tajik)): Apiaceae 189
7.4.1.6 Convolvulus subhirsutus (Regel & Schmalh.): Convolvulaceae
7.4.1.7 Cyperus longus L. (Salom aleykumi daroz (Tajik)): Cyperaceae 189
7.4.1.8 Genus Corydalis. (Havoboronak (Tajik)): Fumariaceae 190
7.4.1.9 Datura stramonium L. (Bangi devona (Tajik)): Solanaceae 190
7.4.1.10 Delphinium confusum Popov: Ranunculaceae 190
7.4.1.11 Delphinium ternatum Huth (Isparak (Tajik)): Ranunculaceae 190
7.4.1.12 Dictamnus tadshikorum Vved.: Rutaceae 191
7.4.1.13 Elaeagnus angustifolia L.: Elaeagnaceae 191
7.4.1.14 Genus Ephedra L.: Ephedraceae 191
7.4.1.15 Genus Eremurus: Asphodelaceae 191
7.4.1.16 Gentiana cruciata L.: Gentianaceae 192
7.4.1.17 Glaucium fimbrilligerum Boiss. (Kuknori jari (Tajik)): Papaveraceae 192
7.4.1.18 Hammada wakhanica (Paulsen) Iljin: Chenopodiaceae 192
7.4.1.19 Haplophyllum acutifolium (DC.) G. Don.: Rutaceae 193
7.4.1.20 Heliotropium lasiocarpum Fisch. & C.A. Mey. (Geliotrop opushennoplodniy Khazarrang (Tajik)): Boraginaceae
7.4.1.21 Hippophae rhamnoides L. (Angat (Tajik)): Elaeagnaceae 193
7.4.1.22 Lindelofia macrostyla (Bunge) Popov: Boraginaceae 193
7.4.1.23 Lindelofia olgae (Regel & Smirn.) Brand: Boraginaceae
7.4.1.24 Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt.: Berberidaceae 194
7.4.1.25 Nitraria schoberi L.: Nitrariaceae 194
7.4.1.26 Papaver pavoninum Schrenk (Lolaarusak (Tajik)): Papaveraceae 194
7.4.1.27 Pedicularis peduncularis Popov: Orobanchaceae 194
7.4.1.28 Pedicularis sarawschanica Regel: Orobanchaceae 194
7.4.1.29 Peganum harmala L. (Ispand (Tajik)): Nitrariaceae 194
7.4.1.30 Petilium eduardii Vved.: Liliaceae 195
7.4.1.31 Salsola pestifer A. Nelson (Bodgelak (Tajik)): Chenopodiaceae 195
7.4.1.32 Senecio renardii C. Winkl.: Asteraceae 195
7.4.1.33 Spartium junceum L.: Fabaceae 195
7.4.1.34 Thalictrum Genus: Ranunculaceae 195
7.4.1.35 Thalictrum isopyroides C.A. Mey.: Ranunculaceae 196
7.4.1.36 Thermopsis dolichocarpa V. Nikitin (Mastak (Tajik)): Fabaceae 196
7.4.1.37 Trichodesma incanum (Bunge) A. DC. (Kampirchapon (Tajik)): Boraginaceae 196
7.4.1.38 Ungernia tadschicorum Vved. ex Artjush. (Amonkara (Tajik)): Amaryllidaceae 196
7.4.1.39 Ungernia victoris Vved. (Amonkara (Tajik)): Amaryllidaceae 197
7.4.1.40 Verbascum songaricum Schrenk ex Fisch. & C.A. Mey. (Dumi govak (Tajik)): Scrophulariaceae
7.4.1.41 Vexibia alopecuroides (L.) Yakovlev: Scrophulariaceae 197
7.4.1.42 Vexibia pachycarpa (Synonym, Sophora pachycarpa Schrenk ex C.A. Mey) (Schrenk ex C.A. Mey.) Yakovlev (Talkhak, Kharbuya (Tajik)): Scrophulariaceae 197
7.4.1.43 Vinca major L.: Apocynaceae 198
7.4.1.44 Ziziphus jujuba Mill.: Rhamnaceae 198
7.4.2 Phenolic-Rich Plants 198
7.4.2.1 Hypericum scabrum L. (Choykahak (Tajik)): Hypericaceae 198
7.4.2.2 Geranium collinum Stephan ex Willd.: Geraniaceae 198
7.4.3 Coumarins of Some Species of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Family 200
7.4.3.1 Prangos sarawschanica Korovin (Yugan (Tajik)): Apiaceae 200
7.4.3.2 Prangos fedtschenkoi Korovin (Yugan (Tajik)): Apiaceae 200
7.4.3.3 Heracleum lehmannianum Bunge (Boldirgon (Tajik)): Umbelliferae 200
7.4.4 Essential Oil-Bearing Plants 201
7.4.4.1 Achillea filipendulina Lam.: Asteraceae 201
7.4.4.2 Anethum graveolens L. (Dill): Apiaceae 201
7.4.4.3 Artemisia absinthium L.: Asteraceae 205
7.4.4.4 Artemisia rutifolia Stephan ex Spreng.: Asteraceae 206
7.4.4.5 Artemisia scoparia Waldst & Kit.: Asteraceae
7.4.4.6 Bunium persicum (Boiss.) B. Festch. (Zira (Tajik)): Apiaceae 209
7.4.4.7 Coriandrum sativum L. (Coriander): Apiaceae 210
7.4.4.8 Ferula clematidifolia Koso-Pol.: Apiaceae 210
7.4.4.9 Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Fennel): Apiaceae 211
7.4.4.10 Galagania fragrantissima Lipsky: Apiaceae 211
7.4.4.11 Hypericum perforatum L. and Hypericum scabrum L.: Hypericaceae 211
7.4.4.12 Hyssopus seravschanicus Pazij (Tajik name ushnondoru): Lamiaceae 212
7.4.4.13 Melissa officinalis L.: Lamiaceae 212
7.4.4.14 Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds.: Lamiaceae 213
7.4.4.15 Nepeta nuda L.: Lamiaceae 213
7.4.4.16 Ocimum basilicum L.: Lamiaceae 213
7.4.4.17 Origanum tyttanthum Gontsch. (Synonym: Origanum vulgare L. subsp. gracile (K. Koch) Ietsw.,): Lamiaceae 214
7.4.4.18 Pelargonium graveolens L. Her. ex Ait.: Geraniaceae 214
7.4.4.19 Polychrysum tadshikorum Kovalevsk.: Asteraceae 215
7.4.4.20 Salvia sclarea L.: Lamiaceae 215
7.4.4.21 Tanacetum parthenium L. Schultz-Bip. (Feverfew): Asteraceae 215
7.4.4.22 Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam.: Lamiaceae 216
7.4.4.23 Ziziphora pamiroalaica Lam.: Lamiaceae 216
7.4.5 Other Biologically Active Compounds 216
7.4.5.1 Artemisia annua L. (Yavshoni yaksola (Tajik)): Asteraceae 216
7.4.5.2 Helianthus tuberosus L. (Noki zamini (Tajik)): Asteraceae 217
7.5 Conclusions 217
References 218
Chapter 8: Medicinal Plants of Uzbekistan and Their Traditional Uses 223
8.1 Introduction 223
8.2 Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties 239
8.3 Conclusion 241
References 242
Chapter 9: Current State and Prospects for Studies on the Diversity of Medicinal Flora in Kazakhstan 250
9.1 Introduction 251
9.2 Kazakhstan Geographical Features 252
9.3 Medicinal Flora 254
9.4 Taxonomical Aspects 255
9.5 Ecogeographical Analysis 256
9.6 Regional Distribution of Medicinal Plants in Kazakhstan 258
9.7 Analysis of Phytochemical Studies 259
9.8 Analysis of Previous Studies 259
9.9 Cultivation of Medicinal Plants 267
9.10 Rare and Protected Medicinal Species 269
9.11 Conclusions 270
References 271
Chapter 10: Medicinally Important Plants of Kazakhstan 274
10.1 Introduction 275
10.2 Studies of Some Economically Important Plants 277
10.2.1 Ephedra 277
10.2.1.1 Morphological Features and Distribution of Some Ephedra Species 278
10.2.1.2 Ecological Characteristics of Some Ephedra Species 280
10.2.1.3 Biochemical Features of Some Ephedra Species 282
10.2.2 Licorice 283
10.2.3 Ferula 287
10.2.4 Cistanche 292
10.3 Conclusions 297
References 298
Chapter 11: Causes and Impacts of Land Degradation and Desertification: Case Study from Kazakhstan 301
11.1 Introduction 302
11.2 Study Area 302
11.3 Observations 303
11.4 Concluding Remarks 311
References 312
Chapter 12: Assessment of the Current Plant Diversity Status in Kazakhstan 313
12.1 Introduction 313
12.2 Plant Diversity 314
12.2.1 Forest-Steppe Zone 314
12.2.2 Steppe Zone 316
12.2.3 Semidesert Zone 318
12.2.4 Desert Zone 319
12.3 Mountain Ecosystems 323
12.3.1 Classification of Vertical Zoning by Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky 323
12.4 Current Biodiversity and Ecological Status 325
12.5 Evaluation of Biodiversity and Ecological Safety Levels 327
12.6 Methods Used 328
12.7 Conclusions and Recommendations 329
References 329
Chapter 13: Ecology and Environmental Aspects of “Makmalzoloto” Gold Mining Area in Kyrgyzstan 331
13.1 Introduction 332
13.2 Study Area 334
13.3 Data Evaluation 335
13.4 Conclusions 340
References 342
Chapter 14: Floodplain Forest Mapping with Sentinel-2 Imagery: Case Study of Naryn River, Kyrgyzstan 345
14.1 Introduction 346
14.2 Material and Methods 347
14.2.1 Study Area 347
14.2.2 Satellite Imagery Acquisition and Preprocessing 348
14.3 Level-2A Image Processing 350
14.4 Supervised Classification of NDVI Imagery and Raster Generalization 352
14.5 Results and Discussion 354
References 356
Chapter 15: Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Plant Diversity of Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve in Kyrgyzstan 358
15.1 Introduction 359
15.2 Brief Information on Biosphere Reserve 359
15.3 Plant Diversity of Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve Area 360
15.4 Potential Impact of Climatic Changes on Plant Biodiversity 364
15.5 Conclusions 368
References 370
Web Sites 373
Chapter 16: Plant Diversity of Ala-Archa National Park in Kyrgyzstan with Emphasis on Its Economical Potential 374
16.1 Introduction 375
16.2 Brief Information on National Park 375
16.3 Data Analysis 376
16.4 Plant Diversity 377
16.5 Economically Important Plants 380
16.5.1 Potential Medicinal Plants 380
16.5.2 Potential Fodder Plants 380
16.5.3 Potential Food Plants 382
16.5.4 Potential Pollen- and Nectar-Rich Plants for Honey Production 383
16.5.5 Other Plants with Potential Alternative Uses 385
16.6 Conclusions 385
References 387