GEOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION AND SOIL-CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF THE KYZYLKUM DESERT

ABSTRACT

The KyzilKum Desert, spanning parts of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, represents a significant geographical entity in Central Asia. This study delves into the geographical classification and the unique soil-climatic conditions that define the desert. By analyzing climatic data, soil types, and geographical features, this research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Kyzilkum Desert’s ecological dynamics. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of arid environments and their management. This article explores the geographical classification and soil-climatic conditions of the Kyzilkum Desert, emphasizing its unique environmental features, vegetation, and fauna. By understanding these aspects, the significance of the desert's ecological and geographical diversity can be appreciated.

АННОТАЦИЯ

Пустыня Кызылкум, охватывающая части Казахстана, Узбекистана и Туркменистана, представляет собой важный географический объект в Центральной Азии. Это исследование углубляется в географическую классификацию и уникальные почвенно-климатические условия, определяющие пустыню. Путем анализа климатических данных, типов почв и географических особенностей это исследование направлено на обеспечение всестороннего понимания экологической динамики пустыни Кызылкум. Полученные результаты способствуют более широкому пониманию засушливых сред и управления ими. В данной статье исследуются географическая классификация и почвенно-климатические условия пустыни Кызылкум, подчеркиваются ее уникальные особенности окружающей среды, растительности и фауны. Понимая эти аспекты, можно оценить значение экологического и географического разнообразия пустыни.

Keywords: Kyzylkum Desert, geographical classification, soil-climatic conditions, Central Asia, desert ecology, arid environments, ecological dynamics, soil types, climatic data.

Ключевые слова: пустыня Кызылкум, географическая классификация, почвенно-климатические условия, Средняя Азия, экология пустынь, аридные среды, экологическая динамика, типы почв, климатические данные.

Introduction

The Kyzylkum Desert, a sandy expanse in Central Asia, spans the territory between the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers, encompassing parts of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. Bordered by the Aral Sea to the northwest and the Tien-Shan and Pamir-Alai mountain ranges to the east, Kyzylkum covers approximately 300,000 square kilometers. The desert's topography is predominantly flat, with an average elevation of 300 meters in the south and southeast, dropping to 53 meters in the northwest. Key features include low mountain ranges such as Sultan Uvais, Bokantov, Yetimtog, Tomditov, and Kuljuktov, as well as various landforms like proluvial plains, hills, deep gorges, and ancient dry riverbeds. This article examines the geographical classification and soil-climatic conditions that define the Kyzylkum Desert[1].

Literature review

The scientists mentioned have made significant contributions to the study of various aspects of Central Asia's natural environment. G.O. Mavlonov, M.A. Kenesaren, S.Sh. Mirzaev, and N. Khojiboev focused on underground waters, their properties, and quantity. R.I. Abolin, K.Z. Zokirov, T.Z. Zokhidov, I.I. Granitov, D.M. Kashkarov, E.N. Karovin, A.I. Formozov, M. Orifkhonova, S.N. Rijov, Genosov A.Z, A. Rasulov, and Kh. Abdullaev have contributed to the understanding of the soil, plant cover, and fauna of Central Asia.

Specialists like H. Hasanov, A. Azatyan, R. Rakhimbekov, R. Yugay, Z.N. Dontsova, and I. Inog'omov have focused on the history of studying the nature and natural resources of Central Asia. Their research has helped expand our knowledge of the region's ecological and geological characteristics, which is crucial for sustainable development and resource management in the area[2].

Geographical Classification

The Kyzylkum Desert is characterized by diverse landforms, including low mountains, foothills, sand massifs, and flat plates. The low mountains, composed of Paleozoic metamorphosed shale, limestone, marble, and granite, form the core of the alpine anticline. Material washed down from these mountains by temporary water flows has created proluvial plains, which decrease in elevation as they extend from the mountains[3]. (fig-1)

Figure1. Kyzylkum is a natural geographical location

Notable features within the desert include:

• Hills and Gorges: Beltov hills, Mingbulok, Ayokogitma, Karakhotin, and Molali gorges.
• Ancient Riverbeds: Aqchadarya, Janadaryo, Daryosoy, Kuvonchdarya, Mahandaryo.
• Sand Massifs: Jurankum, Tashkuduq, Yomonkum, Kemirekkum, characterized by sand dunes, sand ridges, and dunes with meridional direction reinforced by vegetation. These dunes have a relative height of 3-30 meters, occasionally reaching 75 meters.
• Barkhans: Found mainly around populated areas and wells, their movement is influenced by human activities.

Soil-Climatic Conditions

The Kyzylkum Desert's climate is strictly continental, with hot summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature ranges from 9.8°-10.5°C in the north to 13°-15°C in the south. January temperatures average from 0° to -9°C, with minimums reaching -34°C in some areas. In July, the average temperature is 29°C, peaking at 46-49°C[4].

The desert experiences a high annual temperature amplitude, with significant differences between day and night temperatures.

• Precipitation: Annual rainfall is sparse, ranging from 80 to 160 mm, primarily occurring in winter (30%) and spring (48%). Only 3% of precipitation falls in summer, leading to high soil and air temperatures and subsequent drought conditions.
• Humidity: The relative humidity is low, averaging 10-12% during the day in summer, and never exceeding 20% in July.
• Wind: Predominantly from the north, northeast, and northwest, with an average speed of 3-4 m/sec throughout the year, occasionally causing strong storms.
• Water Resources: The desert lacks permanent running water, relying on dry streams from low mountains during spring rains. While there are significant underground water reserves, most are saline, with fresh water found only in karst limestone cracks[5-6].

Soil Types

Kyzylkum's soil varies from desert sands in the plains to gray-brown soils in the mountains, with saline soils in low-lying areas. The soils are low in humus and support vegetation adapted to arid conditions. The soil's fertility is limited, with sparse organic matter.

Flora

The flora of Kyzylkum includes approximately 900 species of plants, with 226 species typical of Central Asia and 34 species endemic to Kyzylkum. Adaptations to drought and saline conditions are common. Vegetation includes ephemeral plants that flourish briefly in spring, xerophytic shrubs, and halophytes. Notable species include white and black saxaul, cherkez, kandym, and biyurgun[7].

Fauna

The Kyzylkum Desert hosts a variety of fauna, including:

• Mammals: Gazelle, saiga, desert cat, barbarian cat, sable, gerbil, fox, wolf, rabbit, squirrel, long-eared hedgehog.
• Reptiles: Sand boll snake, ochilon, long-eared and bald round-headed lizards, agama, echkemar.
• Birds: Owl, chil, hawk, saxophone sparrow, desert crow, buzzard, eagle.
• Insects: Scorpions, caterpillars, wasps, grasshoppers[8].

Economic Activities

The desert's natural resources are exploited for livestock breeding, mining, and gas extraction. Soft-wool and black sheep are raised, utilizing artesian basins for water. Mining activities focus on marble, graphite, turquoise, gold, uranium, phosphorite, corundum, and bauxite. Gas extraction occurs at the Gasly and Kandim gas-condensate deposits[9].

Discussion

The Kyzilkum Desert’s soil and climatic conditions pose unique challenges for vegetation and wildlife. The extreme temperatures and low precipitation levels limit the types of species that can thrive. However, the desert also presents opportunities for studying adaptive strategies of flora and fauna in arid environments. Understanding these adaptations can inform conservation efforts and sustainable management practices[9-10].

Conclusion

The Kyzilkum Desert is a complex and dynamic ecosystem with distinctive geographical and soil-climatic conditions. This study highlights the need for continued research to understand the interactions between the desert’s physical and biological components. Effective management strategies are essential to preserve the ecological balance and promote sustainable development in the region. This research paper provides an in-depth analysis of the desert’s geographical classification and soil-climatic conditions. The desert is characterized by diverse geographical features, including sand dunes, takirs (clay pans), and mountain ranges[11]. The climatic conditions are predominantly arid, with extreme temperature variations and minimal precipitation. The soil composition varies significantly, ranging from sandy and loamy soils to clay-rich regions, each supporting distinct types of vegetation and wildlife. This study synthesizes existing research and new data to present a detailed overview of the Kyzilkum Desert’s environment, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities for sustainable management of arid regions.

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