The Status of the Riparian Forests in the Naryn Valley of Kyrgyzstan: Conservation and Sustainable Development

Abstract

Conservation and restoration of riparian forests are important for strengthening river banks and preserving biodiversity as well as for mitigating impacts of climate change. Increasing temperature and climate variability, flooding and drought, alteration of the intensity of precipitation and melting glaciers in high mountain areas affect the physical condition of natural resources as well as natural hazards. Climate change might cause larger and potentially hazardous summer floods. The temporary storage of floodwaters in the floodplain areas reduces the flood risk downstream. In this paper, the current state of natural resources and the benefits of mountain floodplain forests is investigated. The satellite imagery was used to study the landscape changes for mapping the investigation areas. The assessment of changes is necessary for the further development of restorative plan for floodplain rivers. The results provide information on options for management and provide assistance to the local authorities engaged in the integrated management of natural resources.