Publications
Are aquatic plants really endangered in Tajikistan (core area of the Mountains of central Asia global biodiversity hotspot)?
A recent study challenges the perception that aquatic plants are endangered in Tajikistan, a core region of the Central Asia biodiversity hotspot. Researchers conducted field inventories across diverse waterbodies in South Tajikistan and East Pamir, identifying five new plant taxa for the country (including Lemna × japonica and Nymphaea odorata) and expanding known distributions for 22 species. While declines were noted in the unique tugai landscapes of Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve, the findings suggest that Central Asian alpine waterbodies may serve as biodiversity hotspots rather than solely threatened habitats. The study underscores the need for ongoing monitoring to reassess conservation statuses and update Red Lists amid rising tourism pressures.
Changes in the water regime of the Vakhsh river in the “Tigrovaya Balka” location as a result of the construction of the Nurek and Rogun reservoirs
Construction of the Nurek and Rogun reservoirs has significantly altered the water regime of the Vakhsh River, impacting the unique ecosystem of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve. Analysis reveals an 11.3-fold decrease in sediment discharge and a 7.05-fold reduction in water turbidity since reservoir operations began in the late 20th century. These changes have led to intensive riverbed erosion, lowered lake and groundwater levels, and disrupted long-term natural sedimentation patterns, fundamentally altering the hydrological regime of the reserve. The study highlights the urgent need for environmental solutions to mitigate these impacts on the UNESCO-listed tugay forests, which rely on the river's sediment and water dynamics for their survival.
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