Abstract
Central Asia is an increasingly important strategic geopolitical region. During the latest decades, the region has often been identified as close to potential conflict regarding water usage. This includes the sharing of water from the Syr Darya and the Amu Darya in the Aral Sea Basin. The Aral Sea disaster has exposed a complex picture of water needs and potential political conflict. Rapid population increase together with climate change impacts are likely to further aggravate the short- and long-term future precarious situation for water management in the region. This Special Issue focuses on present and future water management issues in Central Asia in view of future climate changes and how these will affect socioeconomic development. Central Asia is, in general, water rich; however, exercising efficient and fair water management will be important in view of future population increase and climate change. At the same time, water and natural resource development is a cornerstone in all the Central Asian republics. Especially, water resources are, to a great extent, shared between all five republics. A common ground for water-sharing is, therefore, of utmost importance.
Highlights
Central Asia has been pinpointed as one of the regions with the highest probability for conflicts over water [1]
Central Asia is, in general, water rich; exercising efficient and fair water management will be important in view of future population increase and climate change
Two papers deal with tree shelterbelts related to improved water management and sustainability, one paper with fishery related to the nexus of water, energy, and food, one paper with institutional irrigation management in southern Uzbekistan, and the remaining four with general water management and effects of future climate change for Central Asia as a whole
Summary
Central Asia has been pinpointed as one of the regions with the highest probability for conflicts over water [1]. Water supply in Central Asia is a complex issue due to the fact that the region’s major rivers, the Syr Darya, Amu Darya, and Irtysh are transboundary This has been the region’s major water resources conflict problem since the downfall of the Soviet Union [11]. The sudden break-up of the Soviet Union and occurrence of the five new sovereign Central Asian states sharing the two major rivers of Syr Darya and Amu Darya exposed a complex picture of water needs and potential political conflict [15,16,17]. A special challenge for all the Central Asian states in view of the fate of the Aral Sea and necessary agricultural expansion due to population increase and a warmer climate. Original research papers were selected by a rigorous peer-review process with the aim of rapid, accessible, and wide dissemination of results
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