Irrigation expansion and dynamics of desertification in the Circum-Aral region of Central Asia

The aim of this paper is to examine the causes and dynamics of desertification in one of the world's worst disaster areas, the Aral Sea region. During the 1960s, a large-scale irrigation campaign aimed at achieving independence in cotton production was launched in Soviet Central Asia. From 1960, ever-increasing water withdrawal from the two inflowing rivers—the Amudarya and Syrdarya—has resulted in the dramatic decline of the level, area and volume of the sea. Desiccation was accompanied by the development and further acceleration of various desertification processes. The study reveals that, for different reasons, the predominant direction and trends of desertification have been changing during each of the four identified periods from 1961 to 1995. The main desertification processes recorded in the Circum-Aral region (‘Priaraliye’ in Russian) were a decline in the groundwater level, increased mineralization and chemical pollution of watercourses, soil salinization, the spread of xerophytic and halophytic vegetation, and deflation and aeolian accumulation, with the development of salt storms. Recent improvements in the situation are also discussed, along with their causes. Zonation of Priaraliye is carried out and an outlook for the future is given.     

云南初夏干湿演变特征和基于CMIP6模式模拟的预估分析

使用1961—2020年的观测数据和2021—2080年的模式预估数据,首先分析了云南初夏干燥度指数（aridity index,AI）的演变特征和影响因子相对贡献,然后采用国际耦合模式比较计划第六阶段（CMIP6）中的20个全球模式,对SSP1-2.6、SSP2-4.5以及SSP5-8.5情景下云南初夏未来干湿变化进行了预估研究。结果表明：(1) 1961—2020年云南初夏气候整体湿润,但为变干燥的趋势,有明显的年代际变化特征,1960s、1970s以及2000s气候相对湿润,其余年代相对干燥,2000s（2010s）为1961年以来最湿润（干燥）的10年。(2) 2021—2080年在3种排放情景下,云南初夏气候较1995—2014年均为变干燥的趋势,SSP1-2.6、SSP2-4.5以及SSP5-8.5情景下,AI分别减少13.9%、17.9%以及24.9%,西南部将可能是湿润度降幅最大值中心。(3) 1961—2020年,降水对云南初夏气候干湿变化的贡献大于潜在蒸散量;而2021—2080年,潜在蒸散量对气候变干燥的贡献大于降水量,且随排放情景的增高和时间推移,其贡献将逐渐增大。     

Abiotic conditions, neighbour interactions, and the distribution of Stipa tenacissima in a semiarid mountain range

Abiotic conditions and interactions among plants are important factors determining plant geographical distributions. With the aim of analyzing the distribution of a perennial grass species in a semiarid mountain range, we experimentally tested above- and belowground effects of shrubs on the grass along a gradient of aridity. We measured growth, physiology and reproductive output of Stipa tenacissima tussocks surrounded by intact or manipulated neighbour shrubs. Performance of Stipa improved under mesic conditions, but the net effect of shrubs on Stipa did not change along the gradient. Belowground, we did not find significant effects, suggesting belowground resource partitioning between tussocks and shrubs. Aboveground net effects of shrubs on Stipa were generally positive and independent from abiotic conditions. The improved performance of Stipa at the mesic end of gradient suggests that its absolute physiological optimum lies out of its realized range. Overall, the arid end of the geographical distribution of Stipa in this mountain range may be determined by environmental severity. The coincidence of the upper limit of Stipa with the lower tree limit suggests that the more mesic end of Stipa distribution may depend on other factors; most likely competition with trees, which, unlike shrubs, could be excluding Stipa tenacissima from forests.     

New data on the zoogeography of Aphanius sophiae (Teleostei: Cyprinodontidae) in the Central Zagros (Southwest Iran)

The clade of the Iranian freshwater Aphanius species from endorheic and exorheic drainage basins contains three subclades, of which the Aphanius sophiae subclade with seven species is the most specious one. Recently, two previously not known populations of Aphanius were discovered in two isolated basins; one in the Arjan Wetland (Helleh subbasin), and the other in the Semirom spring (Karun Basin), both are located in the Central Zagros Mountains (SW Iran). The objective of this study is to investigate their taxonomic status, to elucidate their phylogenetic relationships and to contribute to future conservation strategies and habitat management of the freshwater species of Aphanius in Iran. Methods include analysis of genetic data based on mtDNA (cyt b), combined with meristics, morphometrics, scale sizes (J-indices) and otolith data. The results based on cyt b clearly indicate that two species are present in the Arjan Wetland, one is closely related to A. sophiae (currently thought to be restricted to the Kor Basin), the other represents Aphanius shirini (previously only known from its type locality Paselari spring). However, significant phenotypic differences are not present between these two species. The second population from the Semirom spring is sister to A. sophiae (Kor Basin) according to cyt b data, but differs significantly from this species with regard to the phenotype. The presence of A. shirini in the Arjan Wetland is most likely be explained by man-made introduction because of the recent droughts. The similarity of the two species present in the Arjan Wetland may be due to phenotypic plasticity, but also hybridization could have played a role. The isolation of populations of A. sophiae is discussed in the context of the active geological history and climate change, and it is likely that their divergence happened in the Early or Middle Holocene (c. 11,700–4000 y. ago). The presence of A. sophiae in the Helleh subbasin and Karun Basin extends the currently known zoogeographic range of this species, which previously has only been reported from the Kor Basin. Such knowledge is important for future conservation strategies and habitat management.