Consideration of programs and projects aimed at preservation and maintenance of biodiversity in Uzbekistan

Introduction

Biological diversity, also known as biodiversity, encompasses the variation of life on Earth in all its manifestations, from genes and microorganisms to entire ecosystems such as forests or coral reefs. The biodiversity currently observed represents the result of a multi-billion-year evolutionary history that spans more than 4.5 billion years and is increasingly affected by human activity.

Biodiversity is the foundation of life on which many aspects depend, including food security, access to clean water, health services, climate resilience, economic growth and others. More than half of global GDP production is linked to the use of natural resources. More than one billion people depend on forests for their survival. Land and oceans play a key role in absorbing more than half of all carbon emissions.

Biodiversity plays the role of the foundation that supports life both on land and underwater. It influences various aspects of human health, providing clean air and water, food, scientific knowledge and sources for medical needs, building resilience to natural diseases and helping to mitigate climate change. Any change or removal of an element of this network can affect the entire ecosystem and lead to negative consequences. Without nature, existence on Earth would be impossible.

History of the problem

The main cause of biodiversity decline remains human exploitation of land resources, mainly for food production. Human activities have already altered more than 70% of all land available for use that is not covered by ice. When land resources are adapted for agriculture, some animal and plant species may lose their natural habitat and be pushed to the brink of extinction.

However, climate change is becoming an increasingly significant factor in the decline of biodiversity. This process is impacting marine, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems around the world, resulting in the loss of native species, increased disease and mass extinctions of plants and animals. As a result, the first climate change-related species extinctions are occurring.

Climate change on land has caused animals and plants to migrate to higher altitudes or higher latitudes, and in some cases to the Earth's poles, with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems. As the degree of temperature increases, the risk of species extinction continues to rise.

Rising ocean temperatures are increasing the risk of irreversible destruction of marine and coastal ecosystems. For example, the area of living coral reefs has almost halved in the last 150 years, and further warming could lead to the destruction of almost all remaining reefs.

Main threats and challenges to the ecosystems of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan faces a serious problem of soil degradation due to intensive agriculture, insufficient crop rotation, land exploitation and inefficient use of sustainable farming practices. This leads to a decline in soil fertility, erosion, salinization and the formation of saline lands, which threatens biodiversity and the sustainability of agricultural systems.

Climate change and improper use of water resources in Uzbekistan lead to reduced availability of fresh water for agriculture, industry and population. This has a negative impact on aquatic ecosystems, including rivers, lakes and reservoirs, which may lead to the extinction of some species and disturb the ecological balance. The effects of climate change, such as temperature increase, changes in precipitation can lead to shifting ecosystem boundaries, extinction of some species, deterioration of soil and water resources, which creates challenges for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of the country and the region.

The rapid expansion of agricultural land, development on lands previously occupied by natural ecosystems and improper use of land resources lead to the loss of natural biotopes and habitats for many animals and plants. This contributes to the reduction of biodiversity and increases the vulnerability of ecosystems to anthropogenic impacts.

The use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and other agrochemicals in agriculture can contaminate soil, water and air resources. This poses a threat to the health of living organisms, including plants, animals and humans, and leads to an imbalance in ecosystems.

Despite the presence of nature reserves and zakazniks, insufficient funding, poor management and inadequate protection measures lead to threats to biodiversity in these unique areas. Illegal logging, poaching and other negative actions threaten local species and natural ecosystems.

The number of endangered species of flora and fauna continues to increase. The two-volume Red Book published in 2009 included 184 species of animals and 304 plants, while the 2019 Red Book includes 206 species of animals, 314 species of plants and fungi. In connection with the reduction of biodiversity, amendments and additions are made to the legislation aimed at limiting the removal from the natural environment of rare and endangered species of plants and animals listed in the Red Book. For this purpose, the Law “On introducing amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan” was developed. The law was discussed in the first reading at the meeting of the Senate Committee on development of the Aral Sea region and ecology. In order to further strengthen the protection of endangered plant species, Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan LRU№-543-I of 26.12.1997 “On protection and use of flora” provides a number of requirements. The powers of state bodies in the sphere of ecology and forestry have also been clarified.

Existing programs and projects

In order to implement comprehensive measures for the conservation of biological diversity and its sustainable use, development of protected natural areas, reduction of degradation of natural ecosystems, restoration of rare species of animals and plants, as well as the development of international cooperation in this area, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the Decree of 12.06.2019 DKM-#484 “On approval of the strategy for the conservation of biological diversity in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2019-2028”.

The strategy envisages:

-      expansion of the area of protected natural territories up to 12 percent of the country's territory;

-      afforestation of the dried bottom of the Aral Sea with bringing the area of forests up to 1.2 million hectares;

-      breeding of gazelles in the Bukhara specialized nursery “Jeyran” with bringing their number up to 1000 individuals;

-      creation of a unified system of monitoring of biodiversity components with a central link - reference ecosystems of state reserves;

-      creation of a unified information database of the state monitoring and state cadastre of biodiversity on the basis of modern geoinformation technologies (GIS-technologies);

-      annual geobotanical survey of vegetation of natural pastures and hayfields in the volume of 2 million hectares;

-      integration of biodiversity conservation issues into all sectors of the economy.

The biodiversity of Uzbekistan is estimated at about 27 thousand known species, including a variety of plants, fungi, mosses, lichens and animals. Among plants there are about 11 thousand species, while fauna is represented by more than 15.6 thousand species. About 8% of higher vascular plants are endemics of Uzbekistan, and the preserved endemics account for about 10-12% of the total number of endemic species. Works on comprehensive protection, restoration and conservation of our unique nature and its biodiversity are actively carried out in protected areas.

In the Republic of Uzbekistan there are 6 state reserves (Chatkal Biosphere Reserve, Zaamin, Nurata, Gissar, Surkhan, Kyzylkum), 1 complex (landscape) reserve (Saigachiy), 6 natural parks (Zaamin, Ugam-Chatkal, Zarafshan, Khorezm, Kitab, Southern Ustyurt), 1 national park (Durmen), 11 natural monuments (Vardanzi, Mingbulak, Chust, Yazyavan Desert, Akbarabad, Zilkha, Bustonbuva, Yangibazar, Paikent, Varakhsha, Urungach), 2 biosphere reserves (Nizhne-Amudarya and Ugam-Chatkal), 12 zakazniks (Arnasai, Dengizkul, Karakir, Sudochie, Mubarek, Oktau, Karnabchul, Kushrabat, Nurabad, Kumsultan, Khadicha, Omonkuton), 1 specialized nursery “Zhairon” in Bukhara. Their total area is 3.5 million hectares.

Fig.-Table of all state preserves and parks.

-      In accordance with the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated December 14, 14.12.2019 №PD-4424 “On the establishment of the Khorezm National Nature Park”, the Khorezm National Nature Park was established and put into operation. Due to the unique fauna and flora of the forests on the left bank of the Amu Darya River, the unique tugai landscapes play an important role in preserving the biodiversity of the Khorezm oasis and maintaining the ecological balance in it. More than 600 species of wild plants grow in the oasis. About 250 of them are plants growing on sandy areas. About 200 species of medicinal plants are also known. Four individuals of khongul, or Bukhara deer, were delivered to a nursery built on the territory of the national park for conservation and breeding.

-      Another protected area is the “South Ustyurt” National Park, where 4 species of plants growing in the area are included in the Red Book of Uzbekistan. There are such picturesque natural objects as the Assake-Audan depression, the southern end of the Ustyurt plateau, and the water area of Sarikamysh Lake. At the same time, in Munak district, the Sudochie-Akpetki State Reserve with a total area of 280,507 hectares has been established in the form of a state nature protection institution. The main purpose of the reserve is to preserve and reproduce coastal landscapes, canals, reservoirs and their watercourses, water birds, rare, endangered fish, birds of prey and mammals.

Fig. - South Ustyurt National Park

Mention of Uzbekistan's inclusion in international efforts on biodiversity

The Republic of Uzbekistan is a party to several international conventions on biological diversity, the most important of which include:

-      Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): Uzbekistan joined this convention in 1995. The CBD is the main international instrument aimed at the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.

-      Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Uzbekistan became a party to CITES in 1996. This convention regulates international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora to prevent illegal trade and ensure their conservation.

-      United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): Uzbekistan joined the UNFCCC in 1994. This convention aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change, which has a direct impact on biodiversity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to realize that the conservation and maintenance of biodiversity in Uzbekistan is of great importance for the future of the country and the entire planet. Despite the successes already achieved, we face a huge challenge in conserving unique ecosystems, species and genetic resources.

Further efforts to protect nature and biodiversity should be a priority for all levels of society, including government structures, public organizations, the business sector and every citizen. This requires not only the development and implementation of strategies and programs, but also raising public awareness of the importance of conserving nature and its resources. We must take measures to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, protect unique habitats and ensure sustainable use of biological resources.