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Center for Natural Resources and Sustainability DKU

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  • Hussam Hussein

    Operationalizing water-energy-food nexus research for sustainable development in social-ecological systems: an interdisciplinary learning case in Central Asia

    Year: 2022

    Collections: Research Paper

    Topics: Water, Sustainable Development, NEXUS, Water governance, Transboundary Water Resources

    Authors: Ahmad Hamidov, Katrin Daedlow, Heidi Webber, Hussam Hussein, Ilhom Abdurahmanov, Aleksandr Dolidudko, Ali Yawar Seerat, Umida Solieva, Tesfaye Woldeyohanes, Katharina Helming

    Countries:

    Source: Ecology and Society

    This article focuses on the operationalization of the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) Nexus concept as a framework for promoting sustainable development in Central Asia. The researchers examine the application of the Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) protocol as a tool for interdisciplinary analysis of five different environmental systems across the region. The findings demonstrate that a systems-based approach helps experts identify critical trade-offs between water resource management, energy production, and soil conservation. The authors emphasize that the SIA framework is effective in addressing interdisciplinary complexity; however, it requires further development in areas related to ethics and stakeholder engagement. Overall, the study highlights that regional cooperation and the integration of scientific approaches are essential for mitigating the impacts of environmental degradation, including challenges such as the desiccation of the Aral Sea. The article therefore provides a methodological foundation for translating theoretical nexus concepts into practical strategies for natural resource management and sustainable development.



  • Hutson N.

    A new strategy for merging the environmental and commerce challenges of the Caspian

    Year: 2023

    Collections: Research Paper

    Topics: Water, Green business

    Authors: Hutson N., Taganova J.

    Countries: Kazakhstan

    Source: Central Asian Journal of Water Research

    Recent geopolitical events have thrust the Caspian region into a time of unparalleled opportunity. Specifically, the Middle Corridor (“MC”) has been presented as a potential savior for trans-Eurasian commerce. At the same time, its success relies on a sea that is in an ecologically precarious state.



  • Idrissov Marat

    “Green” hydrogen for Kazakhstan and CA countries in the era of decarbonisation. Main Findings

    Year: 2022

    Collections: Policy Briefs

    Topics: Energy

    Authors: Nurbossynova Saltanat, Idrissov Marat

    Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan

    Source:

    • The Republic of Kazakhstan has natural advances regarding to other CA countries in production of “green” hydrogen;
    • The Republic of Uzbekistan has more developed regulatory system and governmental support for studying and implementation of hydrogen using;
    • The Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan are planning to develop hydrogenation and do not considering the hydrogen as the way of decarbonisation;
    • There are no information about Turkmenistan’s government attitude regarding hydrogen development.

    Sustainable mobility and logistics for Central Asia. Research perspectives for a climate center

    Year: 2022

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Sustainable Development

    Authors: Idrissov Marat, Yerzakovich Yelena, Dienel Hans-Liudger, Assmann Tom

    Countries: Kazakhstan

    Source:



  • Ilhom Abdurahmanov

    Operationalizing water-energy-food nexus research for sustainable development in social-ecological systems: an interdisciplinary learning case in Central Asia

    Year: 2022

    Collections: Research Paper

    Topics: Water, Sustainable Development, NEXUS, Water governance, Transboundary Water Resources

    Authors: Ahmad Hamidov, Katrin Daedlow, Heidi Webber, Hussam Hussein, Ilhom Abdurahmanov, Aleksandr Dolidudko, Ali Yawar Seerat, Umida Solieva, Tesfaye Woldeyohanes, Katharina Helming

    Countries:

    Source: Ecology and Society

    This article focuses on the operationalization of the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) Nexus concept as a framework for promoting sustainable development in Central Asia. The researchers examine the application of the Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) protocol as a tool for interdisciplinary analysis of five different environmental systems across the region. The findings demonstrate that a systems-based approach helps experts identify critical trade-offs between water resource management, energy production, and soil conservation. The authors emphasize that the SIA framework is effective in addressing interdisciplinary complexity; however, it requires further development in areas related to ethics and stakeholder engagement. Overall, the study highlights that regional cooperation and the integration of scientific approaches are essential for mitigating the impacts of environmental degradation, including challenges such as the desiccation of the Aral Sea. The article therefore provides a methodological foundation for translating theoretical nexus concepts into practical strategies for natural resource management and sustainable development.



  • Ilias Bantekas

    Bilateral Delimitation of the Caspian Sea and the Exclusion of Third Parties

    Year: 2010

    Collections: Research Paper

    Topics: Water, Water law, Water diplomacy, Transboundary Water Resources, Transboundary cooperation

    Authors: Ilias Bantekas

    Countries:

    Source: The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law

    This article discusses the position of the littoral States of the body of water known as the Caspian Sea (hereinafter ‘the Caspian’), particularly on the basis of their numerous bilateral treaties and unilateral statements of action, with respect to the legal status and sui generis regimes of the Caspian.



  • Imanalinova A. A.

    State of Saxaul Plantations in the Kazakhstan’s Part of the Aral Sea Area

    Year: 2021

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Agriculture

    Authors: Salmukhanbetova Zh.K., Imanalinova A. A., Dimeyeva L. A., Zverev N.E.

    Countries: Kazakhstan

    Source: Central Asian Journal of Water Research



  • Ingraham Rachel Fisher

    Gender-inclusive clean water supply and sanitation for Central Asia

    Year: 2022

    Collections: Policy Briefs

    Topics: Water, Gender

    Authors: Tankibayeva Aliya, Bouman-Dentener Alice, Ingraham Rachel Fisher

    Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan

    Source:

    ● Five Central Asian countries have the right momentum to build genderinclusive WASH

    ● Transition can accelerate with investments into safe, resource-efficient, scale-appropriate and modern supply and sanitation infrastructure, technologies, and services

    ● Inclusive WASH systems are resilient when women take an active role in policy decisions at all levels and implementation



  • Insa Theesfeld

    Can Water Abundance Compensate for Weak Water Governance? Determining and Comparing Dimensions of Irrigation Water Security in Tajikistan

    Year: 2017

    Collections: Research Paper

    Topics: Water, Water Security

    Authors: Frederike Klümper, Thomas Herzfeld, Insa Theesfeld

    Countries: Tajikistan

    Source: Water

    This scientific article examines the concept of water security in the irrigation sector of Tajikistan at the individual farm level. The authors develop a comprehensive Water Security Index that incorporates hydrological, governance, and hybrid dimensions to assess the actual availability and accessibility of water resources. The study reveals that, despite the physical abundance of water, weak governance and institutional barriers are the primary sources of water insecurity. Based on a survey of 399 farming households, the authors establish a typology of farms, demonstrating that large and small producers face fundamentally different water-related challenges. The findings show that effective governance can compensate for infrastructure deficiencies, thereby enhancing the resilience of agricultural production. The article concludes by emphasizing the need to shift from broad national water security indicators toward targeted support for local water distribution and management systems.



  • Iroda Amirova

    Long- and short-term determinants of water user cooperation: Experimental evidence from Central Asia

    Year: 2018

    Collections: Research Paper

    Topics: Water governance, IWRM, Transboundary cooperation Irrigation,

    Authors: Iroda Amirova, Martin Petrick, Nodir Djanibekov

    Countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan

    Source: World Development

    This study contributes to the understanding of long- and short-term determinants of cooperation among water users. We experimentally investigate the potential of water users’ self-governance in enhancing their contributions to a common pool as opposed to external regulation. Our focus is on the irrigated areas of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.



  • Isaev E.

    Spatio-temporal patterns of different tree species response to climatic factors in south Kyrgyzstan

    Year: 2023

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Climate

    Authors: Kulikov M., Shibkov E., Isaev E., Azarov A., Sidle R.

    Countries: Kyrgyzstan

    Source: Central Asian Journal of Sustainability and Climate Research

    Understanding forest phenology is essential for monitoring global carbon budgets and managing vegetation resources in a changing climate. In southern Kyrgyzstan, walnut and wild apple trees dominate the forest landscape. These forests contain unique genetic diversity and offer potential for the development of climate-resilient crop varieties. They also support local communities through activities such as grazing, firewood collection, and fruit harvesting. However, these practices pose a threat to natural regeneration. Climate change exacerbates these challenges by altering their ecological niche. Despite this, few studies have examined forest phenology and its relationship to climate in Kyrgyzstan.


    High-resolution dynamic downscaling of historical and future climate projections over Central Asia

    Year: 2024

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Climate

    Authors: Isaev E., Murata Akihiko, Shin Fukui, Roy C. Sidle

    Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan

    Source: https://water-ca.org/

    Climate change poses various challenges for agriculture and water management practices in Central Asia (CA). Central to these challenges are cryosphere dynamics, fragile mountain ecosystems, and ongoing natural hazards that highlight the need for robust projections of regional climate change. For the first time, dynamic downscaling was conducted in Central Asia at a spatial resolution of 5 km.



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