Ecosystem changes in the northern (Kazakhstan) area of the former Aral Sea (Priaralie)

Abstract

The Kazahkstan part of the former Aral Sea (frequently referred to as ‘Priaralie’) lies north of the coast of the Aral Sea. To the west lies the Usyurt Desert, and to the north, the large Bolshie and Malye Bursuki sand masses and the priaralian Karakum. The delta of the Syr Dar’ya and the Kyzykum in the east complete the regions of Kazahkstan which surround the lake (Figure 1). The area of exposed lake bed is now 13,289 km², with northern stretches 2–5 km wide, and eastern stretches up to 80 km wide. This paper briefly describes the nature of previous ecosystems in the area and those which have replaced them following the decline in the size of the Aral Sea. It also comments briefly upon measures to mitigate the impact of the decline and its principal effect, desertification.