The International Innovation Center for the Aral Sea Region (IICAS), in collaboration with the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XIEG), has announced the launch of a comprehensive international scientific expedition. This large-scale study will cover the dried bed of the Aral Sea and bring together leading scientists from China, the Karakalpak Branch of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and major universities of the region.
The main objective of the expedition is to conduct comprehensive scientific research aimed at a thorough study of the transformation of ecosystems on the dried seabed of the Aral Sea. This includes monitoring soil conditions, assessing biodiversity, and systematizing data on the region’s flora. Special attention is given to identifying plant adaptation mechanisms to extreme conditions of saline and degraded lands. One of the key tasks is to form a scientific foundation for the creation of a unique Atlas of the Aral Sea Region flora, which will serve as a basis for developing effective measures for ecosystem restoration and sustainable development of vegetation cover.
It is worth noting that the expedition is being carried out in line with the consistent policy of the government under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aimed at restoring the region’s ecosystem and mitigating the consequences of the environmental crisis caused by the desiccation of the Aral Sea.
Key research areas:
Soil composition studies: Analysis of mineral deposits and salt transport processes. Scientists note that dust from the Aral seabed reaches not only neighboring regions but also distant areas of China and Europe.
Biodiversity inventory: Study of microorganisms and plant species adapted to extreme conditions.
Educational component: Training of young local researchers in modern data analysis methods and fieldwork techniques.
The data collected during fieldwork will serve as a scientific basis for strategic governmental decisions aimed at stabilizing the environmental situation. The joint work of scientists from the two countries is intended not only to document ongoing changes but also to propose concrete solutions to combat desertification.
The event concluded with a working session, where members of the international team discussed upcoming маршруты and laid the foundation for long-term scientific cooperation.