Māris kļaviņŠ, azamat azizov, JĀnis zaļoksnis environment, pollution, development: the case of uzbekistan

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ENVIRONMENT, POLLUTION, DEVELOPMENT:  THE CASE OF UZBEKISTAN
 2.3. 
 Biological resources
Location  of  the  Uzbekistan  in  Central  Asia  and  local  climatic 
conditions determines presence of diverse groups of ecosystems
1
:
1. Desert ecosystems of plains are common for aeloian and alluvial 
plains and often extends over territories with increased salinity 
of soils;
2. Foothill deserts and steppe covers ~2/3 of the foothill territories;
3. River and river delta eocsystems covers river bank territories 
and significant part of areas in basins of Amu Darya, Syr Darya, 
Chirchik and are covered with an abundant vegetation;
4. Wetland ecosystems covers ~700 000 ha;
5. Mountainous ecosystems with a common forest vegetation 
Biological natural resources include vegetable and animal life. 
Uzbekistan is home to 27 000 specific species of flora and fauna.
Vegetation. Natural flora are represented by almost 4800 species 
of vascular plants, which belong to 115 families, the most common 
of which are compositae (570 species); legumes (almost 440 species), 
and cereals (260 species). This complex and diverse system of 
vegeta tion is specific feature of Uzbekistan’s climatic and soil. On 
the plains, desert types of vegetation are formed: saxaul (haloxylon), 
sand acacia, saltwort, wormwood (absinthe), and sand sedge. The 
total amount of biomass in the deserts is estimated at 50-60 metric 
centners per hectare. Biological productivity in the desert is rather 
low,  confined  mostly  to  cattle  breeding.  Along  the  riverbanks  are 
tugais and wetland forests where hygrophilous trees, bushes and 
grass grow, as well as turanga, loeaster, tamarisk, willow, malt, cane, 
reed, and dog-bane. Some 500 species of wild plants for medicinal, 
food and raw materials are cultivated in the Republic. However, 
only 45 of these are commercially used, including dog-rose, rhubarb, 
St.  John’s  wort,  cumin,  oregano,  bayberry,  sage,  and  malt.  In  the 
forests, the main species include: saxaul, kamdym, saltwort (deserts); 
almond tree eltas, turanga, loeaster, tamarisk (wetlands and river); 
juniper and pistachio trees (mountains). Forests are of great value 
and fulfil protective, sanitary and hygienic functions. As such, they 
belong to and are protected by the State.