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Reimov M. P., Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers, Uzbekistan
Huska D.,
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovakia
Pulatov A. S., Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers, Uzbekistan Certain aspects of Ecosystem Service Analysis in protected areas (reserves) of Aral Sea region in Uzbekistan
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CERTAIN ASPECTS OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICE ANALYSIS IN PROTECTED AREAS (RESERVES) OF ARAL SEA REGION IN UZBEKISTAN
Abstract: This research aims to analyze ecosystem services in protected areas of Aral Sea region. In this research were taken two protected areas which are situated in Aral Sea region: "The Complex (landscape) Reserve SAYGACHI" and the "Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserves in Uzbekistan".
These protected areas aims to protect and restore landscapes, flora and fauna of tugai forests, including their rare species, to improve ecological condition and sustainably use natural resources and to study natural processes, and promote environmental education, training and awareness. The ecosystems in these protected areas provide different ecosystem services to different stakeholders. Nowadays the ecosystem services of these areas is not fully studied and no information exist on zones. Moreover, nowadays these protected areas are on the verge of disaster. This primarily is due to the increase of water scarcity in the lower part of Amudarya river leads to degradation of tugai forests and biodiversity, increase of desertification and salinity of the territory. In this article there are four different types of ecosystem services are identified and analyzed by existing different zones of the "Complex (landscape) Reserve SAYGACHI" and the "Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserves in Uzbekistan".
Keywords: Aral Sea, Protected areas, landscape reserve, biosphere reserve, ecosystem, ecosystem services, types of ecosystem services, provisioning service, regulating service, habitat service, cultural service, economic zone, buffer zone, protected zone and farming zone.
Introduction special ecological value in the territory. The main task of
The Complex (landscape) Reserve "SAYGACHI" reserve area, Preservation in a natural state of all natural
was re-established in 2016 in the Karakalpak Autono- objects and complexes on the territory; Promotion of
mous Republic, in Uzbekistan. The total area is 628300 scientific research and monitoring of the natural envi-ha within these the protected zone of the reserve consists ronment, training of scientific personnel and specialists 219800 ha Resolution [7]. The reserve is located on the in the field of environmental protection, Provision of
territory of Muynak and Kungirat districts (See table 1). biological and landscape diversity, maintenance of eco-The main objective of the reserve is preservation in a logical balance in the protected area system (ecological
natural state of natural objects and complexes having a network) of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
On the territory of the complex reserve is allowed: Implementation of scientific research activities; Implementation of recreational activities; Monitoring the biodiversity; Construction of buildings for employee of the reserve and scientists; Accommodation of nature museums including expositions in the open air.
The following sites are allocated on the territory of the complex reserve:
• The content of working horses of the complex reserve and other similar purposes;
• Mowing and grazing, harvesting (collection) of wild plants for food purposes, wild plant medicinal and technical raw materials for citizens living in its protection zone in accordance with the procedure established by law;
• Provision of official land allotments to employees of the complex reserve and at the time of retirement and dismissal of employees of the complex reserve the right to use the official plot ends.
• The total area allocated (provided) for the above-mentioned lands is determined on the basis of the minimum required area for pasturing cattle, taking into account the rotation of pastures, harvesting of plants and mowing.
• These lands should be located along the boundaries of the complex reserve and not exceed 0.001% of its area. The area and boundaries of these lands are determined when preparing the management plan and are included in it by the director together with the Advisory Commission.
In the protected zone of the Complex (landscape) Reserve SAYGACHI is carried out:
• Prevention and reduction of any negative impact on protected natural sites and complexes of a complex reserve;
• Improvement of living conditions and migration of animals due to the provision of communication between the individual sites of the complex reserve, protection, reproduction and restoration of which cannot give the proper effect only on the territory of the complex reserve;
• Carrying out ofbiotechnical actions for species of plants and animals protected in a complex reserve.
In the territory of the protection zone, the following activities are carried out in agreement with the complex reserve: Travel on roads; Carrying out of repair work on the communications located in the protected zone; Ecological tourism, creation of buildings and facilities for servicing tourists; Geological exploration; Haymaking in limited quantities; Grazing of cattle; Use of plants and animals without withdrawal from the environment of growth or habitat; The biotechnical activities are carried out in accordance with the management plan of the complex reserve.
In the protected zone, the following types of economic and other activities are limited in order to prevent and reduce the negative impact on natural sites and complexes of the complex reserve: Mining; Construction of gas pipelines, other communications, facilities for processing raw materials and other industrial facilities; Laying new roads.
In the protection zone, it is prohibited: Hunting and trapping of animals, collection of plants, except for cases provided for in the management plan; Application
usage of pesticides.
Table 1.- Areas of land plots provided to the Complex (landscape) Reserve "SAYGACHI" for permanent use (Resolution, No. 238.-2016)
Name of the area Allocated land Types of land Area, ha
Muynak district, Republic of Karakal-pakstan; Reserve lands Other lands, not used in agricultural purposes 31200.0
Kungirat district, Republic of Karakal-pakstan. Reserve lands Other lands, not used in agricultural purposes 597100.0
Total allocated land - - 628300.0
The Badai-Tugai nature reserve was founded in 1971 in the Karakalpak Autonomous Republic in Uzbekistan. The area is 6462 ha, the nature reserve is located in the lower Amudarya river, on the territory of
Beruni and Amudarya districts, on the right bank of the river. The aim of the nature reserve is to conserve tugai ecosystems and protect Bukharian deer. The deer population in the reserve and its adjoining territories
increased to more than 300 individuals since its creation Baxieva [1]. In 2011 the Cabinet Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan decided to accept the proposal of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources to transform the Badai-Tugai nature reserve into Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve (LASBR) by increasing its territory from 6462 till 68718 hectares Resolution [8]. The new aim of Lower Amudarya Biosphere Reserve is to preserve and restore landscapes, flora and fauna of Tugai forests, including their rare and extinction species, improve ecological condition and provide sustainable use of natural resources and study of natural processes, and promote environmental education, training and awareness. In order to realize the aims and tasks of the biosphere reserve, the territory is divided into three zones: protection, buffer and transitional (economic) zones. The protection zone is composed of 11568 hectare (17%) and it is under strict protection regime. This zone is for protecting natural objects and complexes, for conducting monitoring and scientific research. The Buffer zone consists of 6734 hectare (10%) and is for protection and restoration of natural objects and complexes. The regime is set according to the law. The land of Buffer Zone is in possession of renters. The Transitional (Economic) zone consists of 50418 hectare (73%) and is formed for realization of household and other activities without damaging the natural objects and complex. Transitional reserves land is also in possession of land users and renters Resolution [8].
Ecosystem services are the benefits people receive from ecosystems MA [6]. The identifying and quantifying ecosystem services is highly recognized as an important tool of resourceful provision of environmental resources Heal [3].
The Complex (landscape) Reserve "SAYGA-CHI": There are mainly terrestrial type of ecosystems are developed in the area, such as grasslands and deserts. The ecosystem in the reserve provides some ecosystem services to some stakeholders. There are main two types of Ecosystem services which exist in the area. Habitat services are more important for flora and fauna of the reserve as one of the main task of the area is protecting the and saving the biodiversity. The second service which provides by the reserve is cultural services.
The Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve:
There are terrestrial and aquatic types of ecosystems are developed in the area, such as tugais, forests, grasslands, croplands and river. It provides different ecosystem services to different stakeholders. There are main four types ofEcosystem services which exist in the area. Provisioning services are more important for adjacent areas near the protected territory (buffer and economic zone) of the studied area for human consumption, such as: agricultural products and food (cotton and wheat) and construction materials (small building stones and building limestone). Regulating services relate to the capacity of natural and semi-natural ecosystems to regulate essential ecological processes and life support systems through biogeochemical cycles and other biosphere processes. These regulation services have direct and indirect benefits to humans (such as clean air and biological control services). While the provisioning and regulation services are valuable, but for the Badai-Tugai forest and other riparian forest areas more important are the habitat services, when natural ecosystems provide reproduction habitat to plants and wild animals, due to its geo ecological uniqueness as a site for the biodiversity conservation. Moreover, besides all above mentioned ecosystem services, this area provides cultural services.
Problem Statement
Nowadays these protected areas (reserves) are on the verge of disaster. This most probably due to the increase of water scarcity in the lower part of Amudarya river, which leads to termination of tugai forests and biodiversity, increase of desertification and salinity of the territory. At present time on these reserves has low level of ecosystem service analysis and it makes difficulties in their prioritization for their protection and management in order to accordingly reduce the negative impact.
This can be done through analysis of ecosystem services which can construct a base for their future quantification the existing services and identification of priority services need to be protected and managed.
The main goal of the paper is identification and quantification of ecosystem services at the Complex (landscape) Reserve "SAYGACHI" and Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve.
Material and methodology
Ecosystem Service Analysis
The ecosystem services are well-defined in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment as: "the benefits supplied
by ecosystems to society" MA [6]. The ecosystem services classification system that was used is derived from The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) not the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA). The main reason is that TEEB omits supporting services, for which it is not clear what exact benefits people obtain from supporting services in these protected areas which are explained above. Three main types of terrestrial ecosystems (tugais, grasslands and desert) were analyzed and two main types of ecosystem, services including: habitat (flora and fauna) and cultural (ecotourism) in developing process analyzed at Complex (landscape) Reserve SAYGACHI while there are five main types of ecosystems (tugais, forests, grasslands, croplands and river) were analyzed and four main types of ecosystem services including: provisioning (cotton, wheat, building limestone) service, regulating (pest control, carbon sequestration) service, cultural (eco-tourism) service and habitat (flora and fauna) service at Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve.
Data collection and analysis tools
In this research following methods such as literature review, questionnaires, interviews and observations were used. Each of these data collection tools is linked to one of the methodologies to address research question (see Table 2). The description of each tool and the process of its use are presented in the sections below.
Literature Review
Literature review is mainly used to collect data on the following topics.
Firstly, the data on existing location, area, functions and structures of the Complex (landscape) Reserve SAYGACHI from the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Nature Protection (SCRUNP) and State Committee of Uzbekistan on Land Resources, Geodesy, Cartography and State Cadaster (STCURGCSC).
Secondly, basic data about fauna and flora on the recommendations on the expansion of protected areas in Uzbekistan "justification for the creation of a protected areas of northern Ustyurt" which prepared by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Global Ecology Fund (GEF).
Thirdly, the data about the existing quantity, names and location of farms, massives and existing quarries, which are situated in economic and buffer zones of the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve territory were
obtained from the State Committee of Uzbekistan on Land Resources, Geodesy, Cartography and State Cadaster (STCURGCSC) for the year 2016 data.
Fourthly, types of crops and annual productivity of above mentioned farms and types of products and its annual productivity of quarries were obtained from the Government authorities (Amudarya and Beruni municipalities) and the State Committee of Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics (SCRUS) respectively for the year 2016 data.
Lastly, data about the exact index of Pest control methods to use for massives who are situated in Economic and Buffer zone was obtained from the plant protection department of the Ministry ofAgriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MAWRRU) for the year 2016. In addition, the data about Carbon sequestration, types of existing habitat services (nursery, flora and fauna) and population of Bukharan deer were obtained from the UNDP/GEF Project "Conservation of Tugai Forest and Strengthening Protection Areas System in Amu Darya Delta of Karakalpakstan" archives. Finally, the literature on the current condition of cultural service (ecotourism) of Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve was reviewed.
Questionnaire and Interviews
In this research the structured and unstructured interview questions and open and close ended questions were used. The questionnaire and interview data collection tools were implemented for research question.
Firstly, to investigate the current existing ecosystem services and annual number of tourists in the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve the oral interviews were organized with two employees of the Lower Amudarya Biosphere Reserve. Secondly, in order to find out the personal information about the size of the territories, the soil bonitet (The term "bonitet" refers to the integrated soil productivity assessment scale. This term is frequently used in Central Asian countries. The bonitet is assess on the scale from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum). The soil valued at 100 points gives the highest yield and is usually found at a place not affected by soil erosion. Gray forest soils get 60-80 points, brown and mountain soils get between 30-60 points. It allows us to give fairly accurate prediction of crop yields. Soil bonitet is taken into account while determining value of the land, when it is sold,
determining the taxes and annual rent payment) annual yield amount, types of harvested products, types of fertilizers, methods of pest control, random sampling design and cluster types were selected, because there took into account farmers' geographic location and divided into some groups Kumar [4]. There are total ten farmers who are situated close to protected zone of the LASBR from ("Berdakh", "Qipchak", "Biybazar" and "Beruniy" massives) were surveyed.
Observation
The observation objects are divided according to the different ecosystem services. For the provisioning services, types of agricultural products and foods (cotton and wheat) and construction products (Small building stone and Building limestone) were observed. For the habitat service the presence of different gene pool protection services and nursery services were observed in the protected areas.
Table 2.- Summary of Methodology
Research Questions: Research Methods: Data Collection and Analysis tool:
What ecosystem services are provided by the Complex (landscape) Reserve "SAYGACHI"? Ecosystem Service Analysis Literature review Observation
What ecosystem services are provided by Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve? Ecosystem Service Analysis Literature review Observation Questionnaires and Interview
Results:
Ecosystem Services in the Complex (landscape) Reserve SAYGACHI
As a result of data collection methods there were main two types of ecosystem services in area identified, there are habitat (flora and fauna) services and cultural (ecotourism).
Ecosystem Services in the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve
The ecosystem in the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve provides different services to different stakeholders. As the result of data collection methods there were identified main four types of ecosystem services in the area, there are provisioning (cotton, wheat, small building stone and building limestone) services, regulating (carbon sequestration) service, habitat (gene pool protection service and nursery) and cultural (ecotourism).
Provisioning services
Provisioning services are ecosystem services that describe products that can be extracted or harvested in ecosystems Samper [10].
According to the primary data analysis there were no provisioning service were identified in the Complex (landscape) Reserve SAYGACHI while Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve provides mainly of food and construction products. The production of food includes agriculture activities as crops (cotton and wheat) growing production. The construction products
include building stones and limestone production. These construction products are used in construction industry. The main stakeholders of these services are farmers and industries that make direct benefit from these products.
Agricultural products and Foods (Cotton and Wheat)
The most important provisioning service of Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve is the production of food. There are mainly two types of agriculture products harvested in farming zone 30728 ha (splits up economic and buffer zone) of the Biosphere Reserve: cotton and wheat.
As the result of analyzing the data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the State Committee of the Republic of the Uzbekistan on Land Resources, Geodesy, Cartography and State Cadastre in total around twenty thousand tons of cotton (around 0.5t/ha/y) and around three thousand tons of wheat (0.1t/ha/y) are harvested annually from farming zone of the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve.
Construction products (Small building stone and Building limestone)
The second most important provisioning service of Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve is the annual production of Construction products. There are mainly two types of construction products harvested in economic zone of the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere
Reserve: small building stones and building limestone. About 60 thousand cubic meter (1.2 m3/ha/year) of small building stones and 1.5 thousand tons (0.03t/ha/ year) of building limestone are harvested by three Limited Liability Small Rock Stone Construction companies and one Limited Liability Limestone Company respectively in Amudarya district part of the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve.
Regulating service
Regulating services in the economic and buffer zone of the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve include pest control services. Pest control service is also one of the important services of Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve to sustain plant (provisioning service) growth and functioning of the ecosystem. Nowadays two types of pest control services exist in the area. There are main biological and getting decrease chemical method are using in the area. Three types (Trichogramma, Brac-on and Oltinkoz) of biological method of pest control services are used for agricultural products and foods in all massives in the farming zone of the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve because this method is environmental friendly and economically effective.
Habitat Services
Flora of the Complex (landscape) Reserve Saygachi
represented by terrastial type of ecosystems such as grasslands and deserts. There are the following main types of plants which are listed in the Red book of Uzbekistan (2009) Salsola chiwensis, Euphorbia scleroscyanthum and Halaxylon, Tamarix, Salsola arbuscula, Artemisia.
Flora of Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve represented by Tugai forest. Tugai is the Turkic word for a floodplain forest in the desert regions of Middle and Central Asia. Tugai can consist of herbaceous shrubs, wood or their combination. Tugais in Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve belong to such kind of tugai which stated above. Riparian plants in Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve begin to bloom after spring flood spills, they scatter seeds. Seeds falling to soil, washed and covered with salt from river sediments, quickly start to grow.
As a result of this Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve has rich biodiversity ofplants: there are six types of typical trees:Jida (Jew)-1 type, Willow-2 types, Turan-ga-3 types. Jida (Jew) is an ancient plant that emerged in the tropical conditions as evergreen. Jews fruit is widely
consumed by the local population as food. Jew is also known for its medicinal properties, with intestinal disorders, especially in children, the Jew is an indispensable and the most common treatment option.
Turanga or Willow is the relict plant and is unique in many ways because during the extreme heat weather or drought most ofthe plants dramatically slow down, but the Turanga is always active. It is because the stomata (which water evaporates from the plant into the air and which plant ingests carbon dioxide from atmosphere) are located on both sides of the leave and tree breathing all time and a huge root system continuously gives water to the leaves.
Fauna ofthe Complex (landscape) Reserve Saygachi
The reserve provides habitat for 7 species of mammals, 11 birds, 7 reptiles UNDP/GEF [13].
The main pride of the reserve is Sayga (Saiga tatrica), Jeyran (Gazella subgutmichaelis) are listed as endangered in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and all modern red book of countries of Central Asia. At present time Saigas are under threat for several reasons; they are increasingly hunted for their meat and valuable horns, which are believed to have medicinal purposes. Oil and gas exploration and transportation as well as the laying of new road and rail infrastructures are hindering saiga migrations and impeding access to traditional pastures, many of which are being threatened by increasing livestock numbers (Saiga Conservation 2017).
Moreover there are long-livered hedgehog (He-miechinus hypomelas), turkmen karakal (Lynx caracal), white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), black griffon (Aegypius monachus), snake (Circaetus gallicus), eagle (Aquila heliaca), steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), bustard beauty (chlamydotis undulata), bustard (Otis tarda), gray monitor (Varanus griseus), Central Asian turtles (Agrionemys horsfieldi) habitats in the area. Furthermore, there identifeid the floowing types of rodents identified which are not inhabiting in other regions of Uzbekistan such as, small gopher (Spermophilus pygmaeus), big jerboa (Allactaga major), thick-tailed jerboa (Pygerethmus platyurus), german (Stylodipus telum), jerbao (Allactaga sibirica).
Fauna of the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve
Birds
Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve provides habitat for about 95 bird species Lim [5]. In the character
of staying in Bio Reserve they are distributed as follows: nesting birds-40, sedentary-19, wintering-18 and migra-tory-18 Lim [5].
Some species of birds are listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan. These include Pygmy Cormorant, Serpent eagle, brown dove, falcon, peregrine falcon and pheasant. Many species of birds in early spring stop for a brief stay in Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve, during the flight to the northern part of Uzbekistan. Beauty of the bio reserve is certainly the Khiva pheasant. It leads a sedentary life and is ubiquitous. Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve organization contributed to the rapid increase in the number of the Khiva pheasant. Its territory considered to host four to five thousands of these birds. In winter the pheasants concentrate in riparian woodlands, spring, summer and autumn in croplands UNDP [11].
Mammals
The Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve provides habitat for eight predator species: jackals, foxes, weasels, wild chorus, peregusna, badger, steppe cat and jungle cat. In addition, sometimes wolfs were observed in the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve. One of main prides of the Lower Amudarya Bio Reserve is acclimated Bukharan deer. The Bukharan deer are listed as endangered in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and all modern red book of countries of Central Asia. The measures to save the Bukharan deer have been initiated since 1970. As a result of these measures the population of Bukharan deer has been increasing year by year (Chikin, 2007). Nowadays, the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve has two sites where the Bukharan deer live: one is in the protected zone and the second is in the Buffer zone. The basic food of Bukharan deer are leaves, stems, branches of plants and trees (cane, reed, licorice, erianthus and willow) Lim [5].
The site number 1 is located on the right bank of the Amudarya river and the first section includes the territory of the former Badai Tugai reserve and Tugai Tallik, there were built aviary size eight hectare. The site number 2 is located on the left bank of the Amudarya river from the border with the Khorezm province down to the river till Mangit district and the second site includes the territory of the former Amudarya Kipchak forestry department. Moreover, according to the latest observa-
tion data of the UNDP/GEF Project, 696 and 2 heads of deer were observed in site number 1 and 2 respectively in 2010 UNDP [11].
Fishes
The length of the riverbed along the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve is 18 km. It provides habitat service to more than 50 species of fish including large Amudarya barbel, bream, saber fish, carp, pike, perch, chub, silver carp, rudd, Aral chipper, Amudarya char Lim [5].
Nursery Service
The Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve is a suitable space for the wild animal and plants. Considering this, Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve also can function as a Nursery for several types of species: Bukharan deer, birds, fishes and three types of typical trees (Jida, Willow and Turanga) in protected zone, buffer zone and Amudarya River.
Cultural Services
Cultural services are defined as non-material benefits received from ecosystems. Nowadays, in these reserves only ecotourism exists as a type of cultural service. Ecotourism is one of the forms of recreation that involves visiting natural places and environment in the world. Nowadays visiting nature reserve areas has been becoming a major attraction by tourists. As a result of this several evaluations have already undertaken on the eco-tourism assessment.
Ecotourism in these reserves will help to increase the protection by providing economic options to people who are living in this area, by creating some information about the economic and natural value of Bio Reserve. The main purpose of ecotourism is to increase the rate of tourism through preservation and environmental conservation. Moreover, it can be said that, by improving the recreation in the reserves, economy of the area will increase in several ways (Transportation communication and etc.) Thus an increase in ecotourism will stimulate economic development and provide economic motivation for preservation of natural areas.
The Complex (landscape) Reserve SAYGACHI: Ecotourism of reserve is aimed to analyze the feasibility of capturing the available tourist market, to provide a source of funding for the the Complex (landscape) Reserve SAYGACHI and benefits for local communities. The ecotourism in the area is under development.
Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve: Eco-tourism of Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve is subcomponent of the UNDP-GEF project began in 2007 and has aimed to analyze the feasibility of capturing the available tourist market, to provide a source of funding for the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve and benefits for local communities. Initial survey by the Tashkent-based travel company, OrexCA, came to the conclusion that the the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve will not have sufficient capacity to support its own tourism business because of inappropriate standard conditions such as tourist path ways, set places to visit tourists and etc. Lim [5].
As a result of these, nowadays any tourism initiatives temporary stopped in the area. The local government took this advice on board and is trying to create a tourism product and encourage local people to develop services based on an integrated tourism throughout from Khorezm to the Aral Sea. At the same time, the government (Forestry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Uzbekistan and Amudarya and Beruni districts Municipal governments) is trying to create special pathways which tourists can visit not effecting to nature and conditions that response to international standards.
Table 3.- Type ecosystem services in merited zones
Services Provisioning Services Regulating Services Habitat Services Cultural Services
Protected Areas (Reserves) Zones Nv Cotton Wheat Building Limestone Small rock Stones Carbon Sequestration Pest Control Nursery Flora Fauna Ecotourism
Complex (Land- Protected Zone (219000 ha) - - - - ? - + + + +
scape) Reserve "Saygachi" Whole area of the Reserve (628300 ha) - - - - ? - + + + +
Settlement and Economic Zone (50418 ha) - - + (around 0.03 t/ ha/y) + (around 1.2 m3/ ha/y) - - ? ? ? *
Lower Amudarya Buffer Zone (6734 ha) - - - - ? - + + + *
State Biosphere Reserve Farming Zone (Including Economic and Buffer zones)(30728 ha) + (annually around 0.5t/ ha/y) + (annually around 0.1t/ ha/y) - - - 0 ? ? ? -
Protected Zone (11568 ha) - - - - + - + + + *
Amu Darya River - - - - - - ? + + -
Legend: + Provided services by;
- Not provide services; ? Not determined yet;
* Services provided previously (not providing at present time); 0 Using the services.
Discussion on survey and interviews of different stakeholders related
For this research, total three data collection methods to reserves. The aim of using this data collection method were used: literature review, questionnaire and interview was to identify current existing types of ecosystem ser-and observation. The primary data collection was based vices in the area.
More uncertainties and limitations such as the absence of exact data availability for all ecosystem services, absence of data availability about types and annual harvest of existing provisioning services were faced during the data collection process. However the State Committee of Uzbekistan on Land Resources, Geodesy, Cartography and State Cadaster (STCURGCSC) was able to fulfill these missing necessary points in data collection.
In the regulating service there was a data deficiencies in the annual indirect value of regulative (carbon sequestration services) in the area, according to some literature the assumption made that one ha of forest in one hour consumes about eight kg of carbon dioxide. This statement has a small influence on the results, if the assumption changes the amount of carbon dioxide will change, but the nevertheless the process of consumption still exist.
The UNDP project proposed some kind of provisioning, regulating and cultural service of Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve for the future perspectives. The mechanisms for additional financial resources were introduced by the project. There are: resource use fees and tourism charges, bio prospecting fees, payments for environmental services, carbon offsets, biodiversity offsets. Some mechanisms were even introduced for financial and economic incentives for local communities in the Economic/Transition and Buffer Zones: community revenue-sharing, sustainable employment and income, investment and credit funds, eco-labelling and certification, awards, prizes and recognition of good conservation practice [12].
Moreover, the differences in both research are in division of the territory of the reserve into zones. UNDP project made three zones (Economic, Transition and Buffer zones) and in this study four zones were mentioned by adding farming zone inside economic zone and Amudarya river has added (Economic, Farming, Buffer, Protected zones and Amudarya river), which makes the analysis more descriptive and concrete. Finally the results of quantity value of Ecosystem services were sum up in this research.
The research of Treshkin (2000) was done in the sphere of flora, fauna and Tugay forest assessment. They provide information of qualitative and quantitative amount ofbiodiversity in Baday-Tugay Reserve. According to their analysis the Tugay forest is decreasing and
even can be extinct as the water of Amudarya river will decrease. They also state that the conditions for Tugay forest development are not sufficient and the feeding base of Bukhara deer is disrupted. According our observations the population of Bukhara deer is increasing and their number has reached sufficient level.
Conclusions
Identification and quantification of current existing ecosystem services
With the help of ecosystem service analysis in the Complex (Landscape) Reserve SAYGACHI and the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve were identified types, annual productivity of current existing four types of ecosystem services of respectively provisioning, regulative, habitat and cultural services in different zones of the reserves.
a) Provisioning Services
There were no provisioning services identified/ analysed in the Complex (landscape) Reserve SAYGACHI while the most important provisioning services of Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve are foods (cotton and wheat) and construction products (small building stones and building limestone) by located eight massives (farming zone) and quarries (settlement and economic zone).
There are around twenty thousand tons of cotton (0.5t/ha/y) and around three thousand tons of wheat (0.1t/ha/y) are annually harvested from new created farming zone (splitting up economic and buffer zone of the reserve).
There are around 60 thousand cubic meter of small building stone (1.2m3/h/y) and around 1.5 thousand tons of building limestone (0.03t/h/y) annually harvested from settlement and economic zone of Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve annually.
b) Habitat Services
The Complex (landscape) Reserve SAYGACHI provides habitat for 7 species of mammals, 11 birds, 7 reptiles whil Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve is a suitable place for the wild animals and plants. Considering this, Habitat services identified from Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve are gene pool and nursery services for eight species of Mammals 50 fish and 95 bird species in protected zone, buffer zone and Amudarya River.
c) Cultural Services
The cultural services identified only ecotourism ism business because of some appropriate standard
services in the area. But at present time in the reserves conditions such as tourist path ways, set places to visit
do not have sufficient capacity to support its own tour- tourists and etc.
References:
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