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  • Ankit Garg

    Biochar as an amendment material for improvement of expansive soil properties in Central Asia

    Year: 2025

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Agriculture

    Authors: Ankit Garg, Sai Krishna Akash Ramineni, Neelima Satyam, Askar Zhussupbekov

    Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan

    Source: https://cajscr.com/

    Soil salinity in Central Asia negatively impacts soil structure, leading to degradation and reduced water infiltration. This not only hampers agricultural productivity but also makes the land less suitable for construction due to its high susceptibility to deformation. Environmentally friendly materials like biochar, a carbon-rich substance, show promise in reducing the deformation of saline soils. However, the mechanisms behind its effectiveness are not yet fully understood. This study aims to analyse saline clays’ dispersion and sedimentation behaviour under varying pore water salinity levels (0 % to 10%). A biochar content of 5 % was selected as it is found to be optimum for plant growth and erosion resistance. It was found from the study that the biochar increases the aggregation of soil particles and enhances flocculation, improving soil dispersion characteristics. Biochar facilitates soil particle aggregation by increasing the cation exchange capacity. At higher pore water salinity levels (5% and 10%), the sedimentation behaviour of biochar-treated soil particles deviates from expectations, showing slower sedimentation rates and lower sedimentation heights. This is because the sodium ions are adsorbed by biochar, reducing salt’s effect on dispersion and sedimentation. The results demonstrate that biochar effectively enhances the stability of saline soils and, hence, has a potential use for ground improvement in the Central Asian region.



  • Annukka Lipponen

    Finland’s cooperation in managing transboundary waters and the UNECE Principles for Effective Joint Bodies: Value for water diplomacy?

    Year: 2018

    Collections: Scientific Publications, Review article

    Topics: Water, Water diplomacy

    Authors: Tuula Honkonen, Annukka Lipponen

    Countries:

    Source: Journal of Hydrology

    This paper analyses Finland’s cooperation arrangements in the light of the Principles and assesses the extent to which Finland’s transboundary water commissions reflect the good practices specified in the Principles. Taking a wider perspective, the paper also examines the elements of the principles and their practical realisation with a view to understanding better their promotion of water diplomacy. Relevant features include, inter alia, the competency and representation of the joint institution, its accountability and the extent to which public participation is permitted, and the cooperative mechanisms in place.



  • Ariphanova D.

    Socio-economic and public health impacts of climate change and water availability in Aral District, Kyzylorda Region, Kazakhstan

    Year: 2022

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Climate

    Authors: Khaibullina Zh., Amantaikyzy A., Ariphanova D., Temirbayeva R., Mitusov A., Zhurumbetova Zh.

    Countries: Kazakhstan

    Source:



  • Arsen Tleppayev

    Climate Vulnerabilities in Central Asia: Universities and Policy Mainstreaming

    Year: 2024

    Collections: Policy Briefs

    Topics: Climate

    Authors: Zhakenova Saltanat, Arsen Tleppayev, Nodir Djanibekov, Viktoriya Krylova

    Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan

    Source:

    Universities and academia in Central Asia play a crucial role in addressing climate change impacts, including rising temperatures, diminishing water resources, and increased frequency of extreme weather events threatening agriculture and livelihoods. Academic efforts must prioritize research on tailored adaptation strategies to foster resilience and sustainability. However, there's an underrepresentation of climate change research from Central Asia, emphasizing the urgent need for expanded research efforts.



  • Asady H.


  • Asfaw Etenesh B.

    State-led cotton deregulation in Uzbekistan: Reforms and effects.

    Year: 2021

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Agriculture

    Authors: Asfaw Etenesh B.

    Countries: Uzbekistan

    Source: Central Asian Journal of Water Research

    https://water-ca.org/article/state-led-cotton-deregulation-in-uzbekistan-reforms-and-effects

    Uzbekistan’s cotton supply chain experienced a wave of deregulation reforms in the last five years. This paper attempts to assess the process and results of the State-driven transition from the centrally planned cotton sector to private cotton-textile clusters. The article employs secondary data sources to analyse the effects of the deregulation policies descriptively. The study reveals that the deregulation reforms increased productivity in the sector. The reform initiatives also vertically integrated the cotton supply chain from production to marketing. However, the reforms failed to transparently incorporate and harmonise the needs of cotton farmers that grow and sell raw cotton. Consequently, the promises of the State-led deregulation reforms and initiatives are eroded. The article highlights the emerging risks and tensions in the current cotton liberalisation and privatisation reforms in Uzbekistan.


    State-led cotton deregulation in Uzbekistan: Reforms and effects.

    Year: 2021

    Collections: Research Paper

    Topics: Irrigation

    Authors: Asfaw Etenesh B.

    Countries: Uzbekistan

    Source:



  • Ashok Swain

    Multi-track water diplomacy: current and potential future cooperation over the Brahmaputra River Basin

    Year: 2018

    Collections: Scientific Publications, Review article

    Topics: Water, Water diplomacy

    Authors: Yumiko Yasuda, Douglas Hill, Dipankar Aich, Patrick Huntjens, Ashok Swain

    Countries:

    Source: Water International

    This article analyzes key factors affecting transboundary water cooperation in the Brahmaputra River basin at multiple scales. The analysis of multi-track diplomacy reaffirms the potential of actor-inclusive approaches, arguing for a need to go beyond purely focusing on formal legal norms and consider the possibilities of cultural norms of informal processes of cooperation. Various ‘windows of opportunity’ exist in the current phase of the Brahmaputra basin’s development, leading to exploration of a Zone of Possible Effective Cooperation, arising from the effort to scale up multi-track initiatives as well as broader geo-politicaleconomic changes happening across and beyond the basin.



  • Ashok Swain

    The Multi-track Water Diplomacy Framework A Legal and Political Economy Analysis for Advancing Cooperation over Shared Waters

    Year: 2016

    Collections: Scientific Publications, Research Paper, Review article, Concept paper

    Topics: Water, Sustainable Development, IWRM, Water law, Water diplomacy, Water governance

    Authors: Patrick Huntjens, Yumiko Yasuda, Ashok Swain, Rens de Man, Bjørn-Oliver Magsig, Shafiqul Islam

    Countries: N/A

    Source: The Hague Institute for Global Justice

    This publication is part of the project Water Diplomacy: Making Water Cooperation Work, led by The Hague Institute for Global Justice, in collaboration with Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), UNESCO Category II Centre for International Water Cooperation (ICWC), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Uppsala University, University of Otago, University College Cork and Tufts University Water Diplomacy Program.



  • Askar Zhussupbekov

    Biochar as an amendment material for improvement of expansive soil properties in Central Asia

    Year: 2025

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Agriculture

    Authors: Ankit Garg, Sai Krishna Akash Ramineni, Neelima Satyam, Askar Zhussupbekov

    Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan

    Source: https://cajscr.com/

    Soil salinity in Central Asia negatively impacts soil structure, leading to degradation and reduced water infiltration. This not only hampers agricultural productivity but also makes the land less suitable for construction due to its high susceptibility to deformation. Environmentally friendly materials like biochar, a carbon-rich substance, show promise in reducing the deformation of saline soils. However, the mechanisms behind its effectiveness are not yet fully understood. This study aims to analyse saline clays’ dispersion and sedimentation behaviour under varying pore water salinity levels (0 % to 10%). A biochar content of 5 % was selected as it is found to be optimum for plant growth and erosion resistance. It was found from the study that the biochar increases the aggregation of soil particles and enhances flocculation, improving soil dispersion characteristics. Biochar facilitates soil particle aggregation by increasing the cation exchange capacity. At higher pore water salinity levels (5% and 10%), the sedimentation behaviour of biochar-treated soil particles deviates from expectations, showing slower sedimentation rates and lower sedimentation heights. This is because the sodium ions are adsorbed by biochar, reducing salt’s effect on dispersion and sedimentation. The results demonstrate that biochar effectively enhances the stability of saline soils and, hence, has a potential use for ground improvement in the Central Asian region.



  • Askhat Zhadi

    Assessment of lake Markakol’s physical and chemical condition with consideration of eutrofication

    Year: 2024

    Collections: Scientific Publications

    Topics: Water

    Authors: Azamat Madibekov, Laura Ismukhanova, Askhat Zhadi, Botakoz Sultanbekova, Serik Zhumatayev, Alibek Karimov, Sergei Fokin

    Countries: Kazakhstan

    Source: https://water-ca.org

    The study was conducted in 2023 and comprised a comparative assessment of the state of Lake Markakol’s aquatic ecosystems in surface and bottom water strata. The analysis of bottom water temperatures showed correlation between this parameter and dissolved oxygen concentrations, indicating that pollution caused by organic impurities leads to lake eutrophication, in turn, pro-pelling the extinction of aquatic life. Although the main water physicochemical parameters of Markakol Lake correspond to the oligotrophic type, the shifts in dissolved oxygen and phos-phate content, as well as growth of aquatic vegetation indicate its transition to the mesotrophic type. Higher phosphate content in water is a consequence of pollution disturbing the biological balance, as well as stimulating the reservoir’s eutrophication and increased biological productivity, i.e. algal bloom. In addition, phosphate ions serve an informative indicator of Hazard Class 3 (organoleptically hazardous) anthropogenic pollution. Based on the correlation factor (r), two statistical models were considered for the target lake: 1) Water Pollution: nutri-ent concentrations depending on surface and bottom water temperatures (Model 1); and 2) changes in Water Pollution Indices (biogenic, heavy metals, mean) because of air temperature growth due to global warming of 0.25°C/decade (Model 2).



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