Conclusions

Abstract

This book presents a brief description of the environment and water resources in Turkmenistan. The focus is made on the water bodies of Turkmenistan – the Caspian Sea, Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay, Sarykamysh Lake, Amu Darya River, and the Karakum Canal. The information on the landscape-geographical features, the Karakum Desert, biodiversity (birds and fishes) and ecosystems, as well as the regional climate change is given. Special attention is paid to the “Altyn Asyr Lake” water reclamation project, the morphometric characteristics of the Karashor Depression, and four-years-long satellite monitoring of the area of construction in the vicinity of the Karashor Depression. The publication is based on observational data, scientific literature mainly published in Russian editions, and long-standing experience of authors from six countries in the scientific research of the environment in Turkmenistan. This is the first book on the Altyn Asyr Project published in a Western edition. The book is addressed to the specialists working in various fields of environmental problems and ecology, water resources and management, land reclamation and agriculture, regional climate change, and international cooperation in the water sector in Turkmenistan and Central Asia.