Development of a matrix of landscape restoration measures in the basin of the transboundary Ural River

Abstract

Aim. The goal is to consider landscape aspects of nature management optimisation in the transboundary basin of the Ural River which have not been taken into account until the present time through measures being developed to improve the ecological state of the basin and its main river.Materials and Methods. The long‐term data of the hydrological regime of the rivers of the basin are analysed. The article summarizes the experience of optimizing water management relations in the river basin and the main results of the activities of the Inter‐Republican Committee on the Ural River basin (1977–1994).Results. Cycles of low‐water and high‐water years in the 20th–beginning of the 21st century are revealed. A list of priority landscape restoration measures has been developed and their ordination according to natural zones and types of localities has been carried out.Conclusions. It is confirmed that the highest and most effective form of territorial protection of landscape and biological diversity are natural reserves – special natural protected areas forming a landscape‐ecological framework. A number of ecological‐stabilising protected natural territories are proposed including the Ural‐Caspian Protected Fisheries Zone, which is aimed at partial restoration of the sturgeon population of the Ural‐Caspian basin adapted to the changed hydrological regime.