LocationsWhen a sea turns into a desert, can nature return?
November 25, 2024
In the region where nature has retreated, UNDP began implementing large-scale projects from 2019 to 2023 in collaboration with local partners. They studied the Aral Sea bed to better understand this planetary-scale ecological catastrophe, collecting over 2,800 GPS coordinates. When one of nature's components is affected, it triggers changes in others, leading to various natural, health, economic, social, and environmental issues. To combat climate change, land degradation, and desertification, UNDP partnered with SIC ICWC and the International Innovation Center for the Aral Sea Region under Uzbekistan's Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change to restore the region's ecological and socio-economic balance.
Tracing the Expedition Team
The sun blazed mercilessly, defying the autumn season, as UNDP experts set out to retrace the expedition team's path. The vast expanses of the Aralkum spread ahead – a desert formed on the bed of the once-great Aral Sea. A surreal landscape stretched out, with white salt crusts like extraterrestrial patterns blanketing the earth to the horizon. Wind gusts swirled fine dust in the air, a stark reminder of health hazards facing local residents. The environmental crisis releases 80-100 million tons of dust annually, while desertification intensifies. Local people suffer from serious health issues like respiratory diseases, anemia, cancer, and digestive issues, demanding urgent public health action. According to World Bank data, the disaster costs the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, 44 million USD annually, while afforestation efforts will yield benefits of 39 million USD annually. Climate change and regional water shortage characterized by increasing temperatures and irregular precipitation patterns, is causing droughts. Consequently, this leads to land degradation, jeopardizing the region's food security.
Finding the expedition camp amid sand dunes proved challenging. Local guide Millionbay Patov from Takhtakupir guided the journey through the harsh desert terrain. Passing through Borshitau settlement, between desert hills, a Long-legged Buzzard was spotted – a predatory bird native to Uzbekistan, known for following rodent populations across various landscapes. In an attempt to photograph the bird, the camera captured the abandoned ruins of a village, silently echoing the former life that once thrived in this region.
Along the route to Kyzylkum plateau, a ghostly mirage of the vanished Aral Sea beckoned like a lighthouse across the desert. At the expedition camp near Akchadarya collector bridge, a steppe wolf, running rapidly into the saxaul bushes, was captured on camera despite the speed of 80 km/h. The intense three-hour journey demanded constant attention as the vehicle navigated takyrs - dried lake beds shaped by desertification. Gripping handrails provided stability while experiencing the raw beauty of the harsh desert terrain. The research team at the dried Aral Sea bed shared insights about ongoing work and nocturnal desert wildlife. The scientists' remarkable ability to navigate seemingly uniform terrain left a lasting impression.
What is happening to the soil on the dried seabed?
The Aral Sea is undergoing significant changes as it continues to shrink. Its retreating waters are exposing new land with unique soil conditions, which is rapidly transforming into desert-like areas. Studies of 105 locations showed significant changes over 33 years, wetlands decreased while dry, saltier regions expanded, though some areas became more plant-friendly. The environmental situation is concerning, with nearly half (47%) of the area facing severe environmental risks. The soil's light, sandy texture makes it vulnerable to wind erosion, leading to dangerous dust storms and salt spreading to neighboring regions.
Afforestation: From Desert to Forest
1.73 million hectares of desert were covered with afforestation works to stop salt storms and create new wildlife habitats between 2018-2023. In the Muynak Zone, over half of the trees survived in salty soil, with desert-resistant species like saxaul and tamarisk growing 4-5.5 feet tall.
"The Muynak territory demonstrates a stark contrast, while new plantings are being established, the old ones are irreversibly disappearing. It's crucial to understand that the lost old vegetation cannot be fully replaced by new plantings," says Galina Stulina, soil expert and expedition leader.
The Akpetkey Zone showed even better results, with older trees reaching 13 feet and spreading naturally.
"The Akpetkey zone represents a special case of successful natural regeneration. The territory presents a unique natural phenomenon, drying lakes transforming into salt flats, which are then covered with sand. The surrounding lakes serve as a seed bank for new vegetation. The transformation process is evident, from salt crystallization in the lake centers to gradual sand coverage and subsequent vegetation growth. This natural restoration cycle must be preserved by granting the territory protected reserve status," she proposes.
Within the "Yashyl qoplama" program, workers have covered 500,000 hectares with afforestation works, achieving a 70% success rate. Wildlife, including foxes, wolves, and eagles, is returning. Pasture territories of the Kyzylkum zone still struggle with only 20% tree survival. However, Galina says that about 393,000 hectares have grown back naturally since 2008, saving $170 million in planting costs.
To improve afforestation activities, the expedition team recommended establishing research stations for further laboratory studies and assessing ecological risks on the dried seabed regularly. Additionally, measures should be taken to combat diseases and pests in desert forests. This project demonstrates that with the right approach, even a desert can become a living ecosystem again.
The Disappearing Sea and Its Hidden Waters
Groundwater research across 76 sites, including 47 wells, explored how the Aral Sea's shrinkage impacts underground water. The researchers found promising water sources in the Lower Amu Darya and South Aral Sea basins, with depths ranging from 0.5 to 10 meters below ground. Salt levels in the water are a major concern. Some sources have low salt content at 1.5 grams per liter, while others are extremely salty with over 100 grams per liter. The western part of the region has the saltiest water. Interestingly, the research team found that water is easier to reach in the northern areas, especially near Lakes Sudochye and Zhyltyrbas and watercourses. These natural water bodies have a beneficial effect by reducing the saltiness of nearby underground reserves and raising overall water levels.
Deep underground, about 470-490 meters below ground, lies a special water source in the Cretaceous horizon from the time of dinosaurs. The water requires treatment at a desalination plant before becoming safe to drink, yet shows promise for farming due to lower salt content. Expeditions revealed several practical solutions, including creating an inventory of all available water sources, helping farmers utilize underground water for crops, establishing small fish farms, and using hot underground springs for health treatments. Through proper management of available resources, life could improve significantly for people living in the Aral Sea region.
Plants Bring New Life to the Former Seabed
An exciting discovery shows nature's remarkable ability to heal itself on the former Aral Sea bed. Scientists exploring the area covered 2,800 points and found 90 different types of plants thriving where there was once only seawater. Researchers observed an interesting natural phenomenon, on saline soils, there is a natural succession of vegetation. Salt-resistant plants gradually give way to sand plants with powerful root systems, which contributes to the natural restoration of nature.
In the local harsh conditions, plants such as saxaul, juzgun, sand acacia, sea buckthorn, and various species of willow have particularly thrived. Scientists studied how these plants interact with each other and survive in the challenging conditions of saline soil. The research results help understand the mechanisms of plant adaptation to harsh conditions and identify the most suitable species for sand stabilization, providing valuable scientific data for the region. Additionally, some of the plants studied can be used in the production of medicines.
Based on the obtained data, the researchers developed a comprehensive plan for restoring nature in the region. The main objective of this plan is to green the dried bottom of the Aral Sea with specially selected plants that will help stabilize the sand and improve soil quality. This research brings hope for both the environment and local communities as it can address health issues, restore soil conditions, and enhance biodiversity.
Bridging Environmental Research and Climate Action
The Aral Sea, formed by two rivers, significantly influenced local cultures but now represents a major environmental disaster. The crisis has eliminated half of the region's biodiversity, highlighting issues addressed at COP16 (Colombia) and COP29 (Baku) - from conservation funding to climate action and ecosystem resilience. This demonstrates how local environmental crises can escalate into global challenges, requiring coordinated international response.
UNDP and its partners have spent years studying what remains of the Aral Sea. Through 13 major expeditions, researchers have explored 2.7 million hectares of former seabed in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan - one of the largest dried sections of this once-vast lake in Central Asia. Years of research have produced extensive data that needs to be organized in one digital space. A proposed "GIS-Aral Sea" web platform would make these findings accessible to everyone interested. The research reveals how nature adapts to environmental challenges such as climate change, land degradation, and desertification, while providing valuable data for restoring the former seabed's ecosystem.
Within the framework of the Joint programs UNDP-UNESCO "Addressing the urgent human insecurities in the Aral Sea region through promoting sustainable rural development" and the second Joint programme of UNDP, UNFPA, and FAO "Unleashing young people’s and vulnerable citizens creativity and innovation by strengthening their adaptive capacity to address the economic and food insecurities in the exposed communities of the Aral Sea region”, expeditions were implemented with funding from the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region in Uzbekistan, initiated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This became possible thanks to the support of the governments of Uzbekistan, Norway, the European Union, Finland, South Korea, Germany, and the Alwaleed Philanthropies.
The results of the 2019-2020 expedition within the framework of the Joint Programme
The results of the 2022-2023 expedition within the framework of the Joint Programme
