Agroforestry as a nature-based climate resilience strategy: Addressing desertification and land degradation in the Kazakh Kyzylkum Desert’s marginal agroecosystems

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 DSc in Economics, Professor, Alfraganus University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

2 Tashkent State University of Economics 49, Islam Karimov Str., 100066, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

3 Head of the Department of Network Economics, Termez State University of Engineering and Agrotechnologies, Uzbekistan

4 Head of the Department of Chemistry and Biology, Termez State Pedagogical Institute, Uzbekistan

5 Associate Professor, Department of Digital Economics, Samarkand State University named after Sharof Rashidov, Uzbekistan

6 Samarkand State Architecture and Construction University, Uzbekistan

7 Nukus State Pedagogical Institute named after Ajiniyaz, Nukus, Uzbekistan

8 Associate Professor of the Tashkent State Technical University named after Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan

9 Tashkent Medical Academy, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

10 Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers National Research University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan & University of Tashkent for Applied Sciences, Str. Gavhar 1, Tashkent 100149, Uzbekistan & Western Caspian University, Scientific researcher, Baku, Azerbaijan

11 International School of Finance Technology and Science, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

12 Tashkent State University of Economics 49, Islam Karimov str., 100066, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

13 PhD, Associate Professor, Mamun University, Khiva City, 220900, Uzbekistan

10.22124/cjes.2025.8681

Abstract

Agroforestry, being a nature-based climate resilience strategy, plays a central role in desertification reversal and land degradation in the Kyzylkum Desert marginal agricultural ecosystems of Kazakhstan. Due to climate change, wind and soil erosion, and reduced rainfall, the region is facing 1.5 to 2 percent yearly degradation of cropland and a 30 percent decline in agricultural productivity over the past four decades. Field measurements and satellite imagery analysis show that the integration of native trees such as saxaul (Haloxylon spp.) into agricultural systems has increased vegetation cover by 15 to 30 percent, improved soil moisture by 20 percent, and reduced wind erosion by 40 percent in pilot areas over the past 10 years. Moreover, carbon sequestration in these integrated ecosystems has been increased by up to 10 tons per hectare, which effectively reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This strategy will not only strengthen the resilience of local communities to recurring droughts but also ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods by restoring 5,000 hectares of degraded lands by 2030. The outcomes of this research underscore the need to develop integrated natural resource management policies and combine indigenous knowledge with modern technologies.

Keywords

References

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Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 23, Issue 2
April 2025
Pages 335-342

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