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.
Year: 2025
Collections: Research Paper
Topics: Water diplomacy, Transboundary Water Resources, Transboundary cooperation
Authors: Dinara Ziganshina
Countries:
Source: Routledge Handbook of Water Diplomacy
This chapter explores the symbiotic relationship between international law and water diplomacy, emphasizing their role in promoting peace and security in the governance of shared water resources. The author examines the key legal principles that underpin interstate cooperation, including the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization and the obligation not to cause significant harm.
Year: 2025
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water, Sustainable Development
Authors: Пономарева Т.С., Жирков В.В., Южаков И.Ю.
Countries: Kazakhstan
Source: https://water-ca.org
Возрастающая нагрузка на водные ресурсы, а также международные обязательства Казахстана по Повестке дня на период до 2030 г. определили необходимость скорейшей модернизации водохозяйственной инфраструктуры промыш-ленных предприятий. Между тем (в условиях отсутствия объективных гидроэкологических данных и нормативной неопределенности) принятие технологических решений по очистке и использованию шахтных и карьерных вод сопряжено водными рисками для горнодобывающей отрасли производства. Данные факторы послужили поводом для подготовки аналитического обзора с целью более широкого информирования заинтересованных сторон о существующей проблеме. Фундаментальный контекст статьи определяется научно-теоретическим сопоставлением существующей законо-дательной структуры регулирования водопользования с институциональной политикой Целей устойчивого развития № 6 (ЦУР 6) «чистая вода и санитария». В качестве ключевого аспекта исследований выступает «комплексный» индикатор 6.4.2. ЦУР «уровень водного стресса», сквозная взаимосвязь которого с другими индикаторами ЦУР 6 позволяет представить всесторонний анализ в вопросе надлежащего исполнения национальных стратегий РК по устойчивому управлению водными ресурсами. Результаты исследований показали, что несмотря на довольно полную законодательную интеграцию ЦУР в нормативно правовые акты (НПА) Казахстана, их реализация в виде экологических нормативов требуют критической переоценки для возможности практического применения при идентификации горнодобывающими предприятиями наилучших доступных техник (НДТ). Несостоятельность экологических нормативов обусловлена слабым межведомственным взаимодействием, размытом понимании ответственности, формальным характером участия промышленного и научного сообщества в разработке, экспертной оценке и научном сопровождении проектов НПА.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water, Sustainable Development
Authors: Catalin Stefan, Jana Sallwey, Nurlan Ongdas, Mohammad Al-Hosban
Countries: Kazakhstan
Source: https://water-ca.org
MAR remains relatively underutilized in Central Asia despite its potential to address water scarcity issues, particularly those related to seasonal fluctuations in water availability. Thus, the objective of this study was to produce a map depicting the potential suitability of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) implementation in Kazakhstan. Employing a multi-criteria decision analysis framework, five distinct physical criteria were integrated and visualized within a Geographic Information System (GIS) to delineate the intrinsic potential for MAR. To demonstrate the practical utility of the generated map, it was applied to the Zhambyl region in Southern Kazakhstan, an area previously afflicted by water scarcity challenges. The intrinsic MAR potential map was overlaid with remote sensing data identifying potential water sources and water utilization patterns. This overlay facilitated the identification of priority areas with potential for further evaluation for MAR implementation. The map developed for Kazakhstan represents the first spatial representation of MAR potential within the region, serving to raise awareness regarding the feasibility of MAR application. It is anticipated that dissemination of this map will enhance understanding among water management professionals, potentially catalysing the integration of MAR methodologies into regional water management strategies.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water
Authors: Tillakarim T., Serikbay N., Satmurzayev A., Sairov S.
Countries: Kazakhstan
Source: water-ca.org
The research aimed to evaluate the possibility of applying the HBV model for assessing the flow of the Ile Alatau Mountain Range rivers. The main part of the corresponding water resources forms on the northern slopes of the Ile Alatau making them a significant water balance and water supply factor for the major cities of Almaty, Kaskelen, Talgar, and Yesik.
Year: 2024
Collections: Policy Briefs
Topics: Energy
Authors: Кобзев Алексей, Мануэль Андреш, Абылайхан Солтанаев, Нурбек Есетов
Countries: Kazakhstan
Source:
Энергетический переход продолжается с беспрецедентной скоростью и масштабом, требуя новых технологий с низким уровнем выбросов углерода. Зеленый водород рассматривается как часть решения для достижения декарбонизации промышленности, что потребует согласованных действий со стороны промышленности и правительства для того, чтобы Казахстан смог получить выгоды.
Year: 2024
Collections: Policy Briefs
Topics: Climate
Authors: Жакенова Салтанат, Тлеппаев Арсен, Джанибеков Нодир, Крылова Виктория
Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
Source:
Университеты и академическое сообщество в Центральной Азии играют важнейшую роль в борьбе с последствиями изменения климата, включая повышение температуры, сокращение водных ресурсов и увеличение частоты экстремальных погодных явлений, угрожающих сельскому хозяйству и средствам к существованию. Приоритетным направлением академических усилий должны стать исследования стратегий адаптации, способствующих повышению устойчивости и стабильности. Однако, исследования в области изменения климата в Центральной Азии представлены недостаточно, что подчеркивает настоятельную необходимость расширения исследовательской деятельности
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Climate, Energy
Authors: Sergey Vassilyev, Galym Iskakov
Countries: Kazakhstan
Source: Central Asian Journal of Sustainability and Climate Research
The study aimed to evaluate the economic and financial viability of a coal mine methane (CMM) utilization project in Central Kazakhstan, demonstrating a methodology for similar initiatives. The analysis was based on the 2013 project proposed by the US Environmen-tal Protection Agency (EPA) that intended to capture methane emissions from six coal mines for electricity generation, yet was never implemented. The study’s relevance stems from Kazakhstan's 2030 methane pledge, recent progress in the country's climate change-related policy, mineworker mortality in 2023, and the shift of mines ownership. Building upon the technical specifications of the 2013 US EPA project, this research em-ployed standard financial and economic cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The financial model utilized a traditional discounted free cash flow approach, while the economic model in-corporated additional factors like the value of statistical life (VSL), shadow pricing, as well as benefits associated with mitigating ozone health impacts, crop damage, mine ex-plosion risks, and CO2 emissions. The economic model has indicated a positive net pre-sent value of $243 mln and 42% internal rate of return. The financial analysis also sug-gests potential profitability under fair electricity and carbon pricing market conditions. To assess project robustness under varying economic and financial assumptions, the study included a sensitivity analysis. The research has likewise leveraged prior CMM-related studies in Kazakhstan and provides valuable guidance for analyzing similar projects. In addition, it also highlights the need for certain adjustments in the current legislation to incentivize such projects, as well as to promote environmental sustainability and social development by mitigating methane emissions, which aligns with Kazakhstan's climate goals.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water, Climate
Authors: Айдар Жумабаев, Ханна Шведхельм, Беатрис Марти, Сильван Раджеттли, Тобиас Зигфрид
Countries: Kazakhstan
Source: https://water-ca.org
Река Бадам, приток реки Арыс, входящая в состав Сырдарьинского бассейна, представляет собой важнейший природный ресурс для экологической и социально-экономической деятельности в зоне полузасушливого климата Южного Казахстана. Существенное влияние на речной бассейн оказывает искусственная водная инфраструктура. Бассейн также сталкивается с дефицитом воды, особенно летом, что подчеркивает важность понимания гидрологических процессов, происходящих в его границах, для эффективного управления водными ресурсами. В рамках настоящего исследования с целью оценки воздействия изменения климата на гидрологию и анализа устойчивости водной системы на базе гидрологического программного пакета RS MINERVE была создана полураспределенная концептуальная гидрологическая модель р. Бадам. Связанные модели HBV были реализованы для каждой из гидрологических единиц реакции, которые были определены как высотные зоны. Гидрологическая модель была откалибрована с использованием дневных временных интервалов за период с 1979 по 2011 гг. Полученные кривые вероятности превышения стока и гидрографы были использованы для оценки потенциального воздействия изменения климата на целевой бассейн с использованием сценариев осадков и температуры CMIP6. Будущие климатические сценарии на период 2054-2064 гг. указывают на смещение пикового стока на весенний/поздневесенний период по сравнению с текущим ранним летом без значительного снижения среднесуточного стока в течение года. Созданная гидрологико-гидравлического модель и результаты моделирования могут быть использованы для обеспечения эффективного управления водной системой и обоснования будущих гидроэнергетических проектов, а также могут служить основой для проведения аналогичных исследований в регионе и за его пределами.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water, Climate
Authors: Aidar Zhumabaev, Hannah Schwedhelm, Beatrice Marti, Silvan Ragettli, Tobias Siegfried
Countries: Kazakhstan
Source: https://water-ca.org
The Badam River, a tributary to the Arys River located in the Syr Darya basin, is a crucial natural resource for ecological, social, and economic activities in the semi-arid region of southern Kazakhstan. The river basin is heavily influenced by manmade water infrastructure and faces water scarcity, particularly during summer, highlighting the importance of understanding its hydrological processes for effective water resource management. In this study, a semi-distributed conceptual hydrological model of the Badam River was implemented using the RS MINERVE hydrological software to evaluate the impacts of climate change on hydrology and to test the resilience of the water system. Connected HBV models were implemented for each of the hydrological response units that were defined as altitudinal zones. The hydrological model was calibrated using daily time steps between 1979 and 2011, and the resulting flow exceedance curves and hydrographs were used to assess the potential impacts of climate change on the basin, using CMIP6 precipitation and temperature scenarios. Future climate scenarios for the 2054 – 2064 period demonstrate that the peak discharge will be shifted to spring/late spring compared to the current early summer with no significant decrease in average discharge per day of the year. The insights gained from this hydrological-hydraulic model can be used to effectively manage the water system and inform future hydropower design decisions and serve as a blueprint for similar studies in the region and elsewhere.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Climate
Authors: Nina Miholjcic-Ivkovic
Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
Source: Central Asian Journal of Sustainability and Climate Research
Central Asia is considered a region highly vulnerable to climate change impact and susceptible to climate-induced migration. Rural populations throughout the region are particularly at risk of experiencing adverse effects of climate variability and (im)mobility due to increased exposure to environmental hazards and distress that can severely affect agricultural productivity. This paper explores how climate change impacts migration trends in rural areas of Central Asia with an aim to contribute to the research on climate mobility in the region focusing on most vulnerable inhabitants. By examining the ongoing region's environmental degradation with increased aridity and retreating glaciers that affect local agriculture, water and food security, this paper suggests possible outcomes of such effects on rural mobility trends across five Central Asian countries.
Year: 2024
Collections: Policy Briefs
Topics: Sustainable Development, Management
Authors: Usman Muhammad, Liebelt Peter, Catalin Stefan, Klara Dzhakypbekova
Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
Source:
The question of suitable approaches and technologies for more effective and environmentally friendly management of natural resources has great relevance for the countries of Central Asia in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Despite the wide range of natural resources, Central Asia is still facing increasing land degradation and water scarcity. These problems are being accelerated by land-use pressure and climate change, which is particularly severe in Central Asia. The following recommendations are developed together with scientists from international projects on the use of GIS technologies and modelling approaches for more sustainable resource management.
Year: 2024
Collections: Policy Briefs
Topics: Energy
Authors: Kobzev A., Manuel Andresh, Abylaikhan Soltanayev, Nurbek Yessetov
Countries: Kazakhstan
Source:
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.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water, Climate, Agriculture
Authors: Nazar Nurzoda
Countries: Tajikistan
Source: https://water-ca.org/
This study aimed to examine the efficiency of different drip irrigation regimes in spring film greenhouses for early tomato harvesting. The field (small-plot) experiment included designing and testing the watering technology suitable for rural Tajikistan. Irrigation, soil moisture, and tomato growth were followed for several seasons under four irrigation pilots. The experiments showed that the most effective drip irrigation regime for Elpida hybrid tomato was carrying it out while regulating soil moisture within 75-85%, with the irrigation demand of 4,978 m3/ha and irrigation norm of 99.0 m3/ha, also contributing to better water efficiency. The volume of irrigation water for the production of one unit of tomato crop in the second experiment was 5.73 m3/ha, i.e. 14.18% less than in the control plot. The study showed that the tomato evapotranspiration coefficient tends to increase as the threshold of soil mois-ture before and after irrigation grows. The maximum net yield amounted to 1,342 thou. Somoni/ha – 1.9 times or 52.7% higher compared to the control plot. The research findings can guide individual farmers and production facilities, as well as the overall development of agrarian economies like Tajikistan.
For questions about cooperation, please contact us at: