Biosphere Reserves Institute

Ecosystem-based land-use and conservation of ecosystems at the lower reaches of Amudarya

The protection of the Central Asian riparian forests, which diminished by about 90 % within the last century, faces major challenges due to multiple overuse accompanied by massive impacts of climate change in Central Asia.

With the establishment of a biosphere reserve at the lower reaches of the Amu Darya, one of the two major rivers in Central Asia, the Uzbek government has declared its willingness to break new ground in the protection and sustainable development of the region.

Together with the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Michael Succow Foundation is addressing sustainable, climate- and site-adapted management of the natural resources at the Amu Darya, focusing on strengthening ecosystem-based approaches. By restoring salinated, agriculturally fallow land, the aim is to reduce water demand. By promoting new marketing chains and hitherto unused economic potential, an attempt is being made to reduce the pressure of use on the natural floodplain forest habitats. Communication concepts tailored to the needs of specific target groups are to serve the development of the region and the adaptation to the consequences of climate change.

Amu Darya, © Ernest Kurtveliev

Lead: Michael Succow Foundation

Partner: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Project duration: 2018 – 2020

Funded by:

German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)

Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)