Desertification of arid highlands and its ecological and social consequences

Desertification in arid mountain regions, anthropogenic impact on natural systems, deforestation, erosion processes, modern forests, Zarafshan basin, key features of modern forest cover in the mountains, stationary research, environmental situation and its social consequences. In the forests of the Zarafshan Valley, there were once willows, tamarisk, poplars, mulberry trees, elms, and dense thicket groves. However, today, cultural plants have replaced the forests. Currently, small patches of forest still exist in the area. The mountainous part of the Zarafshan River basin covers 0.75%. In the mountainous regions, there are Turkistan junipers and Zarafshan junipers. In ancient times, the mountainous part of the Zarafshan River basin had a forest cover. Even in those times, the Urgut and Qoratepa mountains were completely covered with forests. For centuries, the trees and shrubs on the slopes of the mountains have been a source of construction materials and fuel for the local people. The preparation of charcoal, pistachios, and almonds in the Nurota and Pistalitov mountains, as well as the juniper forests in the Zarafshan and Turkistan mountains, has led to the complete destruction of these forests. Traces of juniper forests in the Urgut, Qoratepa, Nurota, Zirabuloq, and other mountains have remained in the form of remains, surviving juniper trees, and place names. One of the factors of desertification is the active use of pastures. Over the centuries, human economic activities have influenced the deforestation and degradation of the slopes and foothills. The erosion processes have intensified, and up to 90% of the vegetation on the mountain slopes has been washed away. The groundwater levels have decreased, leading to the disappearance of springs. Often, the main cause of the reduction in river flow is the decreased annual water movement. Deforestation of the mountains has become a significant factor in aridifying and xerophytizing the entire plant cover of Central Asia. All of this accelerates erosion over geological time, leading to the redistribution of materials in the "mountain plains" system. The development of the "Forest Melioration" program and the implementation of programs to establish "Green" energy sources are necessary steps to address these issues.

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