Aeolian Processes as Dust Storms in the Deserts of Central Asia and Kazakhstan

About this book

This book highlights the aeolian processes (wind activity in the study of geology and weather, specifically to the wind's ability to shape the surface of the Earth) in the desert zone of Kazakhstan and Central Asian Deserts, and analyzes the current status of dust and sand storms in Central Asia and Kazakhstan. It also highlights the analyses, dynamics and long-term observations of storms on the basis of numerous cartographic materials and satellite images.

Dust/sand storms are a common and important phenomenon in the arid and semi-arid regions of Kazakhstan and Central Asia as well,especially in its southern parts, where areas are covered by a great variety of deserts and offer a significant source of mineral and salt aerosols. The deserts of Kazakhstan mostly cover lowlands and extend from the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea to the piedmonts of the Tien-Shan Mountain. In Kazakhstan and Central Asia desertification processes due to wind erosion in the form of dust/sand storms were observed in semi-desert and desert landscapes.

Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction: Status of Storms in Central Asia and Environmental Problems
Chapter 2. Natural Conditions of Central Asian Deserts and Land Cover Changes
Chapter 3. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Dust and Sand Storms
Chapter 4. Storms and Land Degradation Relationship
Chapter 5. Dust Storms in Kazakhstan
Chapter 6. Aeolian Transportation of Dust And Sand in Deserts Of Kazakhstan
Chapter 7. Conclusions

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Biography

Dr. Gulnura Issanova obtained her PhD in Natural Sciences. Currently she is a researcher at U. U. Uspanov Kazakh Research Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry and a Scientific Secretary at Research Centre of Ecology and Environment of Central Asia (Almaty). Her research interests are focused on soil degradation and desertification problems, in particular the role of dust and sand storms in land/soil degradation.

Jilili Abuduwaili is a professor at Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Arid Land; Editor in chief of the Arid Land Geography and Arid Land Research journals (both in Uyghur language); Editorial Board Member of the journal Arid Ecosystems and Soil Science and Agrochemistry. His research interests are in the area of resource environment in arid region, eco-security and change in landscape as well as cooperative research between Russia and countries in Central Asia.