Cotton, Water, Salts and Soums: Economic and Ecological Restructuring in Khorezm, Uzbekistan

ISBN-13: 9789401781817 / Angielski / Miękka / 2014 / 419 str.

Christopher Martius; Inna Rudenko; John P. a. Lamers

Opis

This book summarizes a long-term research project addressing land and water use in the irrigated areas of the Aral Sea basin. In an interdisciplinary approach, natural and human sciences are combined to elucidate the challenges of economic transition that affect the use of land, water and biological resources, ecological sustainability, economic efficiency and the livelihoods of the local population. The research focuses on Khorezm, a region in Uzbekistan, located on the Amudarya river, in the heart of Central Asia. A series of chapters describes the biophysical environment and the aspects of society and institutions that shape land and water use. The book discusses options and tools to improve land and water management, and to reform the economic system management, based on agronomic, hydrological, economic ans social studies and modeling. The insights are not only important for Uzbekistan, but for all countries in transitions and irrigated dryland areas elsewhere.

Spis treści

1. INTRODUCTION
Preface, C. Martius, I. Rudenko, J.P.A. Lamers, P.L.G. Vlek
1.1 Cotton, water, salt and Soums – research and capacity building for decision-making in Khorezm, Uzbekistan, P.L.G. Vlek, J.P.A. Lamers, C. Martius, I. Rudenko. A. Manschadi
2. THE BACKGROUND (PHYSICAL SETTING)
2.1 Agro-meteorological trends of recent climate development in Khorezm, C. Conrad et al
2.2 Soils and soil ecology in Khorezm, Akmal Akramkhanov et al
2.3 Spatial distribution of cotton yield and its relationship to environmental, irrigation infrastructure and water management factors on a regional scale in Khorezm, Uzbekistan, G. Ruecker et al
2.4 Water management in Khorezm: current situation and options for improvement, B. Tischbein et al
3. THE SYSTEM SETTING (SOCIETY AND INSTITUTION)
3.1 Farm reform in Uzbekistan, N. Djanibekov et al
3.2 Mapping and analyzing service provision for supporting agricultural production in Khorezm, Uzbekistan, D. Niyazmetov et al
3.3 Politics of Agricultural Water Management in Khorezm, Uzbekistan,  G. Jan Veldwisch et al
3.4 Water and sanitation-related health aspects in Khorezm, Uzbekistan, S. Herbst et al
3.5 Price and income elasticity of residential electricity consumption in Khorezm, B. Eshchanov et al
4. LAND MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT OPTIONS
4.1 Optimal irrigation and N-fertilizer management for sustainable winter wheat production in Khorezm, Uzbekistan, N. Ibragimov et al
4.2 Introducing conservation agriculture on irrigated meadow alluvial soils (Arenosols) in Khorezm, Uzbekistan, K. Kienzler et al
4.3 Introducing conservation agriculture on irrigated meadow alluvial soils (Arenosols) in Khorezm, Uzbekistan, Alim Pulatov et al
4.4 Crop diversification in support of sustainable agriculture in Khorezm, I. Bobojonov et al
4.5 Conversion of degraded cropland to tree plantations for ecosystem and livelihood benefits, A. Khamzina et al
4.6 Abundance of natural riparian forests and tree plantations in the Amudarya delta of Uzbekistan and their impact on emissions of soil-borne greenhouse gases, C. Scheer et al
5. LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT TOOLS
5.1 Economic-ecological optimization model of land and resource use at farm-aggregated level, R. Sommer et al
5.2 Water patterns in the landscape of Khorezm, Uzbekistan. A GIS approach to social-physical research, L. Oberkircher et al
5.3 Modeling irrigation scheduling under shallow groundwater conditions as a tool for an integrated management of surface and groundwater resources, U. Khalid Awan et al
5.4 Estimation of spatial and temporal variability of crop water productivity with incomplete data, M. Bekchanov et al
6. ECONOMIC SYSTEM MANAGEMENT REFORM OPTIONS
6.1 A computable general equilibrium analysis of agricultural development reforms: national and regional perspective, M. Bekchanov et al
6.2 State order and policy strategies in the cotton and wheat value chains, I. Rudenko et al
6.3 Prospects of Agricultural Water Service Fees in the Irrigated Drylands, Downstream of Amudarya, N. Djanibekov et al

Blurb

This book summarizes results from a long-term research project addressing land and water use in irrigated areas of the Aral Sea basin. In an interdisciplinary approach, natural and human sciences are combined to elucidate challenges of economic transition that affect the use of land, water and biological resources, ecological sustainability, economic efficiency and the livelihoods of the local population. To address the linkage between human and environmental security, the project took an interdisciplinary approach to the complex environmental issues in Central Asia and the Aral Sea Basin. The challenges are reflected in the mounting land degradation caused by water over-use and soil salinization in an area dominated by cotton, wheat and rice production. This threatens food security, agricultural incomes, rural livelihoods and thus, human security.

The book focuses on Khorezm, a district of Uzbekistan, located in the heart of Central Asia. This region receives all the irrigation water it needs for agriculture from the Amudarya river, the ancient Oxus. Various contributions describe first the biophysical environment and the aspects of society and institutions that presently shape land and water use. Other chapters discuss options for adaptively improving land and water management. Based on economic studies and modeling, options are discussed of how to reform the economic management of the agricultural production system, for the benefit of humans and nature in the region. The international team of authors analyzes, in 22 chapters, how to best address, mitigate, adapt to, and achieve resilience of the agricultural landscape under the rapidly changing environmental and economic framework conditions. The book relates applicable knowledge that supports integrated, agriculture-oriented development, not only in Uzbekistan, but also in other regions of Central Asia, in all countries in transition, and in irrigated drylands in general.