Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Restoring Central Asian Floodplain Ecosystems as Natural Capital and Cultural Heritage in a Continental Desert Environment

  • Chapter
Landscape Ecology in Asian Cultures

Part of the book series: Ecological Research Monographs ((ECOLOGICAL))

Abstract

In recent decades, the restoration of degraded and damaged ecosystems has become a challenge for landscape management, nature conservation, and sustainable land-use development throughout the world. As rivers and their floodplains provide many ecosystem services, e.g. the purification of water, combating desertification, the accumulation of carbon, and providing habitats for plants and animals, a particular focus is on their restoration. As a case study, we focus on the Tarim River and its floodplain in continental-arid Southern Xinjiang, NW China, and aim at an interdisciplinary approach to the landscape, taking ecological as well as socio-economic aspects and cultural history into account. Therefore, we describe the natural environment, as well as outline the historical development and the cultural and economic background. Key species of the floodplain ecosystem, such as Populus euphratica, Phragmites australis, Tamarix sp. and Apocynum venetum are particularly taken into account as part of the natural environment, as well as being important species providing ecosystem services and sustainable land-use perspectives. On the basis of our own investigations, we develop a future strategy for the sustainable development of the Tarim river floodplain.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Allen EB (1992) Principles of restoration ecology, an integrated approach. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohnet A, Giese E, Zeng G (1998) Die Autonome Region Xinjiang (VR China) – Eine ordnungs­politische und regionalökonomische Studie (Band I). LIT Verlag, Münster

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohnet A, Giese E, Zeng G (1999) Die Autonome Region Xinjiang (VR China) – Eine ordnungs-politische und regionalökonomische Studie (Band II). LIT Verlag, Münster

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw AD, Chadwick MJ (1980) The restoration of land. Blackwell, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Breitung W (2001) Hongkong und der Integrationsprozess. Basler Beitr z Geographie 48:1–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruelheide H, Manegold M, Jandt U (2004) The genetical structure of Populus euphratica and Alhagi sparsifolia stands in the Taklamakan Desert. In: Runge M, Zhang XM (eds) Ecophysiology and habitat requirements of perennial plant species in the Taklamakan Desert. Shaker, Aachen

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen YN, Zilliacus H, Li WH, Zhang HF, Chen YP (2006) Ground-water level affects plant species diversity along the lower reaches of the Tarim river, Western China. J Arid Environ 66:231–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • China Ministry of Forestry (1990) The forests of Xinjiang. Xinjiang Peoples Press, Urumqi (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chou T (1960) The problem of channel shifting of the middle reaches of the Tarim River in Southern-Sinkiang. In: Murzayev EM, Chou L (eds) Natural conditions of Sinkiang. Chinese Academy of Sciences 1959 and Prirodnyye usloviya Sin’tsziana NAUK 1960, Beijing, Moscow

    Google Scholar 

  • Daily G (1995) Restoring value to the world‘s degraded lands. Science 269:350–355

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Groot RS, Wilson MA, Boumans RMJ (2002) A typology for the classification, description and valuation of ecosystem functions and goods and services. Ecol Econ 41:393–408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falk DA, Palmer MA, Zedler JB (eds) (2006) Foundations of restoration ecology. Island Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan ZL (1996) Research on the impacts of land utilization to ecology and environment in Xinjiang and the correspondent countermeasures. Qixiang Chubanshe, Beijing (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng Q, Liu W, Si JH, Su YH, Zhang YW, Cang ZQ, Xi HY (2005) Environmental effects of water resource development and use in the Tarim River basin of northwestern China. Environ Geol 48:202–210. doi:10.1007/s00254-005-1288-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fülling A (1999) Chinas Norden – Die Seidenstrasse. Brackwede, Bielefeld

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao HY, Xu J (1995) Correlation of growth forms of Phragmites australis with soil water and salt. Grassl China 6:20–23 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Giese E, Bahro G, Betke D (1998) Umweltzerstörungen in Trockengebieten Zentralasiens (West- und Ost-Turkestan): Ursachen, Auswirkungen, Maßnahmen. Steiner, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Giese E, Mamatkanov DM, Wang R (2005) Wasserressourcen und deren Nutzung im Flussbecken des Tarim (Autonome Region Xinjiang (VR China). Zentrum für Internationale Entwicklungs- und Umweltforschung (ZEU), Universität Giessen, Giessen

    Google Scholar 

  • Glantz MH (2005) Water, climate, and development issues in the Amu Darya Basin. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 10:1573–1596. doi:10.1007/s11027-005-7829-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gries D, Zeng F, Foetzki A, Arndt SK, Bruelheide H, Thomas FM, Zhang XM, Runge M (2003) Growth and water relations of Tamarix ramosissima and Populus euphratica on Taklamakan desert dunes in relation to depth to a permanent water table. Plant Cell Environ 26:725–736

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gries D, Foetzki A, Arndt SK, Bruelheide H, Thomas FM, Zhang XM, Runge M (2005) Production of perennial vegetation in an oasis-desert transition zone in NW China – allometric estimation, and assessment of flooding and use effects. Plant Ecol 181:23–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hai YO, Wai L, Hoppe T, Thevs N (2006) Half a century of environmental change in the Tarim river valley. An outline of the causes and remedies. In: Hoppe T, Kleinschmit B, Roberts B, Thevs N, Halik Ü (eds) Watershed and floodplain management along the Tarim River in China’s arid northwest. Shaker, Aachen

    Google Scholar 

  • Halik Ü (2003) Stadtbegrünung im ariden Milieu – das Beispiel der Oasenstädte des südlichen Xinjiang/VR China, unter besonderer Berücksichtigung ökologischer, sozioökonomischer und kulturhistorischer Aspekte. Berliner Beitr z Umwelt u Entwicklung, vol. 20. TU-Berlin, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansmann P (2008) “They call them Golden Sticks” − socio-economic explorations around the commodity of reed. M.Sc. thesis, University Wageningen, Wageningen

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris JA, Birch P, Palmer JP (1996) Land restoration and reclamation, principles and practise. Longman, Harlow

    Google Scholar 

  • Haslam SM (1969) Stem types of Phragmites communis Trin. Ann Bot 33:127–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Haslam SM (1970) Variation of population type in Phragmites communis Trin. Ann Bot 34:147–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Heberer T, Sausmikat N (2004) Bilden sich in China Strukturen einer Zivilgesellschaft heraus? Duisburg Working Papers on East Asian Studies, vol 61. University Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedin SA (1905) Scientific results of a journey in Central Asia 1899–1902, vol 1: The Tarim River. Lithografic Institute of the General Staff of the Svedish Army, Stockholm

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedin SA (1936) Die Seidenstrasse. Brockhaus, Leipzig

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann S (2006) Comparative analysis of Uyghur and Han-Chinese farm management along the middle reaches of the Tarim River. In: Hoppe T, Kleinschmit B, Roberts B, Thevs N, Halik Ü (eds) Watershed and floodplain management along the Tarim River in China’s arid northwest. Shaker, Aachen

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoppe T (1992) Chinesische Agrarpolitik und Uygurische Agrarkultur im Widerstreit. Das sozio-kulturelle Umfeld von Bodenversalzungen und -alkalisierungen im nördlichen Tarim-Becken (Xinjiang). Institut für Asienkunde, Hamburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoppe T (1995) Die ethnischen Gruppen Xinjiang: Kulturunterschiede und interethnische Beziehungen. Institut für Asienkunde, Hamburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoppe T, Kleinschmit B, Roberts B, Thevs N, Halik Ü (eds) (2006) Watershed and floodplain management along the Tarim River in China’s arid northwest. Shaker, Aachen

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudaberdi M, Abdusalih N (2002) The features of vegetation and eco-geography in the Taklamaklan Desert. In: Zerbe S, Küchler J, Hamann B (ed) Basic and applied aspects of nature and environmental protection in North China and South Korea with a focus on ecology and socio-economics. Landschaftsentwicklung und Umweltforschung, vol 121. TU Berlin, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudaberdi M, Xu J (2000) Claves plantarum xinjiangensis. Xinjiang University Press, Urumqi (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan WR, Gilpin ME, Aber JD (1987) Restoration ecology: a synthetic approach to ecological research. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim YM, Zerbe S, Kowarik I (2002) Human impact on flora and habitats of Korean rural settlements. Preslia 74:409–419

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuzmina ZV, Treshkin SY (1997) Soil salinization and dynamics of Tugai vegetation in the southwestern Caspian Sea region and in the Aral Sea coastal region. Eurasian Soil Sci 30:642–649

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Coq A (1928) Die buddhistische Spätantike in Mittelasien. Reimer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu MT (1995) Comprehensive research about the genus Tamarix including its propagation on large areas and its utilization. Lanzhou University Press, Lanzhou (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu PJ, Zhang L, Fan CQ (1990) The Populus euphratica resources along the Tarim river. In: Liang K, Liu PJ, Liang K, Liu PJ (eds) Investigation of resources and the environment along the Tarim river through remote sensing. Science, Technique, and Documentation Press, Beijing, in Chinese

    Google Scholar 

  • Lüderitz V, Jüpner R (2009) Renaturierung von Fließgewässern. In: Zerbe S, Wiegleb G (eds) Renaturierung von Ökosystemen in Mitteleuropa. Springer Spektrum Akad. Verlag, Heidelberg, pp 95–124

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Mackensen R (1998) Bevölkerungsdynamik und Stadtentwicklung in ökologischer Perspektive. In: Sukopp H, Wittig R (ed) Stadtökologie, pp 49–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Mant J, Janes M (2006) Restoration of rivers and floodplains. In: van Andel J, Aronson J (eds) Restoration ecology. The new frontier. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 141–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogar NP (2003) Vegetation of river valleys. In: Rachkovskaya EI, Volkova EA, Khramtsov VN (ed) Botanical geography of Kazakhstan and middle Asia (desert region). Komarov Botanical Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction of Ministry of Education and Science of Republic Kazakhstan, Almaty, Institute of Botany of Academy of Sciences of Republik Uzbekistan, Tashkent

    Google Scholar 

  • Perrow MR, Davy AJ (ed) (2002) Handbook of ecological restoration, vol 1, 2. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Runge M, Zhang XM (eds) (2004) Ecophysiology and habitat requirements of perennial plant species in the Taklamakan Desert. Shaker, Aachen

    Google Scholar 

  • Saito Y, Shiraishi S, Tanimoto T, Yin L, Watanabe S, Ide Y (2002) Genetik diversity of Populus euphratica population in Northwestern China determined by PAPD DNA analysis. New For 23:97–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scharlipp W-E (1992) Die frühen Türken in Zentralasien: Eine Einführung in ihre Geschichte und Kultur. Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, Darmstadt

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith SD, Deviktt DA, Sala A, Cleverly JR, Busch DE (1998) Water relations of riparian plants from warm desert regions. Wetlands 18:687–696

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song YD, Fan ZL, Lei ZD, Zhang FW (2000) Research on water resources and ecology of the Tarim river. Xinjiang Peoples Press, Urumqi, China (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Soucek S (2000) A history of Inner Asia. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Temperton VM, Hobbs RJ, Nuttle T, Halle S (2004) Assembly rules and restoration ecology. Bridging the gap between theory and practice. Island Press, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Thevs N (2005) Tugay vegetation in the middle reaches of the Tarim River – vegetation units and their ecology. Arch Nat Conserv Landsc Res 44:64–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Thevs N (2006) Grazing in the Tarim Huyanglin nature reserve. In: Hoppe T, Kleinschmit B, Roberts B, Thevs N, Halik Ü (eds) Watershed and floodplain management along the Tarim River in China’s arid northwest. Shaker, Aachen

    Google Scholar 

  • Thevs N (2007) Ecology, spatial distribution, and utilization of the Tugai Vegetation at the middle reaches of the Tarim river, Xinjiang, China. Cuvillier, Göttingen

    Google Scholar 

  • Thevs N, Halik Ü, Schnittler M, Succow M, Zerbe S (2005) Tugay-Wälder im Tarim-Becken (Xinjiang, NW-China): Gefährdung sowie Schutz- und Revitalisierungsbestrebungen. Forst und Holz 60:63–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Thevs N, Zerbe S, Gahlert F, Mijit M, Succow M (2007) Productivity of reed (Phragmites australis Trin. ex. Staud.) in continental-arid NW China in relation to soil, groundwater, and land use. J Appl Bot Food Qual 81:62–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Thevs N, Zerbe S, Schnittler M, Abdusalih N, Succow M (2008a) Structure, reproduction and flood-induced dynamics of riparian Tugai forests at the Tarim River in Xinjiang, NW China. Forestry 81:45–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thevs N, Zerbe S, Peper J, Succow M (2008b) Vegetation and vegetation dynamics in the Tarim river floodplain of continental-arid Xinjiang, NW China. Phytocoenologia 38:65–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Treshkin SY (2001) The Tugai forests of floodplain of the Amudarya River: ecology, dynamics and their conservation. In: Breckle SW, Veste M, Wucherer W (eds) Sustainable land use in deserts. Springer, Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Urbanska KM et al (1997) Safe sites interface of plant population and restoration ecology. In: Urbanska KM, Webb NR, Edwards PJ (ed) Restoration ecology and sustainable development. International conference on restoration ecology and sustainable development, Thessaloniki

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Andel J, Aronson J (2006) Restoration ecology. The new frontier. Blackwell, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang SJ, Chen BH, Li HQ (1996) Euphrates Poplar Forest. China Environmental Science Press, Beijing (in English)

    Google Scholar 

  • Weggel O (1985) Xinjiang – Das zentralasiatische China: Eine Landeskunde. Institut für Asienkunde, Hamburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Weissgerber H (2003) Populus euphratica. In: Schütt P (ed) Enzyklopädie der Holzgewächse. Ecomed, Landsberg/Lech

    Google Scholar 

  • Westermann J, Zerbe S, Eckstein D (2008) Age structure and growth of degraded Populus euphratica floodplain forests in north-west China and perspectives for their recovery. J Integr Plant Biol 50:536–546

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wiegleb G, Lüderitz V (2009) Akteure in der Renaturierung. In: Zerbe S, Wiegleb G (ed) Renaturierung von Ökosystemen in Mitteleuropa. Springer, Spektrum Akad. Verlag, Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood F (2005) The Silk Road: two thousands years in the heart of Asia. The British Library, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia DK (1998) Silt movement and river course shift of the mainstream of Tarim River. In: Mao DH (ed) The water resources, environment and management of the Tarim river watershed. China Environmental Science Press, Beijing (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xinjiang Linkeyuan Zaolin Zhisha Yanjiusuo (1989) Research on methods to revitalize Populus euphratica forests. Xinjiang Linkeyuan, Urumqi (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zerbe S, Halik Ü, Küchler J (2005) Urban greening in the oases of continental arid Southern Xinjiang (NW China) – an interdisciplinary approach. Die Erde 136:245–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Zerbe S, Wiegleb G (eds) (2009) Renaturierung von Ökosystemen in Mitteleuropa. Springer, Spektrum Akad. Verlag, Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang JB (2006) Water management issues and legal framework development of the Tarim River Basin. In: Wallace J, Wouters P, Pavakavambwa S (eds) Hydrology and water law – bridging the gap. IWA Publishing, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang YM, Chen YN, Pan BR (2005) Distribution and floristics of desert plant communities in the lower reaches of Tarim River, southern Xinjiang, People’s Republic of China. J Arid Environ 63:772–784

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo Guojia Tuciju (1959) Map of Xinjiang. Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo Guojia Tuciju, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhong W, Xiong HG (1999) Paleo-climatic and environmental development since about 4 ka B.P. and the relation with abandonments of ancient cities in Southern Xinjiang. J Desert Res 19:343–347 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou ZY, Chen PJ (1992) Biostratigraphy and geological evolution of Tarim. Science Press, Beijing (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu XM, Wu LY, Obul O, Habibulla Ä (2006) The regulation of the Tarim River system. In: Hoppe T, Kleinschmit B, Roberts B, Thevs N, Halik Ü (eds) Watershed and floodplain management along the Tarim River in China’s arid northwest. Shaker, Aachen

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen – Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 276, 39100, Bolzano, Italy

    Stefan Zerbe

  2. Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, Greifswald University, Grimmer Strasse 88, 17487, Greifswald, Germany

    Niels Thevs

Authors
  1. Stefan Zerbe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Niels Thevs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefan Zerbe .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institution for Marine and Island Cultures, Mokpo National University, 61 Dorim-ri, Cheonggye-myeon, Muan-gun, Jeonnam, 534-729, Republic of Korea

    Sun-Kee Hong  & Jae-Eun Kim  & 

  2. School of Life Sciences, School of Sustainability, and Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University, 874501, Tempe, AZ, 85287-4501, USA

    Jianguo Wu

  3. Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University, 1-5-1, Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8529, Japan

    Nobukazu Nakagoshi

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Zerbe, S., Thevs, N. (2011). Restoring Central Asian Floodplain Ecosystems as Natural Capital and Cultural Heritage in a Continental Desert Environment. In: Hong, SK., Kim, JE., Wu, J., Nakagoshi, N. (eds) Landscape Ecology in Asian Cultures. Ecological Research Monographs. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-87799-8_19

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation