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Describing the natural state of eight important lakes in Asia and
the human impact on these lake ecosystems, this book offers a
valuable reference guide. Over the past several decades the Aral
Sea, Dead Sea, Lake Balkhash and other major lakes in Asia have
undergone significant changes with regard to their size, water
level, chemical composition, and flora and fauna. Most of these
changes resulted from the loss of water from tributaries (now used
for irrigation farming) or increasing consumption in local
industries and households. However, significant human impacts may
have begun as early as 2000 years ago. In addition to the three
lakes mentioned above, Lake Sevan (Armenia), the Caspian Sea
(Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan), Lake
Issyk-Kul (Kyrgyzstan), and Lake Lop Nur (China) are discussed as
the most prominent examples of changing lake ecosystems. In
contrast, an example of an almost pristine lake ecosystem is
included with the report on Lake Uvs Nuur (Mongolia). For each
lake, the book summarizes its origin and early geological history,
and reconstructs its natural state and variability on the basis of
proxy records from drilled or exposed lake sediments that have
accumulated since the last ice age. The frequently observed
reductions in lake level and size during most recent decades led
often to significant environmental impacts in the respective lake
catchments including vegetation deterioration, soil erosion and
badland formation, soil salinization or the formation of sinkholes.
Describing the natural state of eight important lakes in Asia and
the human impact on these lake ecosystems, this book offers a
valuable reference guide. Over the past several decades the Aral
Sea, Dead Sea, Lake Balkhash and other major lakes in Asia have
undergone significant changes with regard to their size, water
level, chemical composition, and flora and fauna. Most of these
changes resulted from the loss of water from tributaries (now used
for irrigation farming) or increasing consumption in local
industries and households. However, significant human impacts may
have begun as early as 2000 years ago. In addition to the three
lakes mentioned above, Lake Sevan (Armenia), the Caspian Sea
(Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan), Lake
Issyk-Kul (Kyrgyzstan), and Lake Lop Nur (China) are discussed as
the most prominent examples of changing lake ecosystems. In
contrast, an example of an almost pristine lake ecosystem is
included with the report on Lake Uvs Nuur (Mongolia). For each
lake, the book summarizes its origin and early geological history,
and reconstructs its natural state and variability on the basis of
proxy records from drilled or exposed lake sediments that have
accumulated since the last ice age. The frequently observed
reductions in lake level and size during most recent decades led
often to significant environmental impacts in the respective lake
catchments including vegetation deterioration, soil erosion and
badland formation, soil salinization or the formation of sinkholes.
This open access book discusses socio-environmental interactions in
the middle to late Holocene, covering specific areas along the
ancient Silk Road regions. Over twenty chapters provide insight
into this topic from various disciplinary angles and perspectives,
ranging from archaeology, paleoclimatology, antiquity, historical
geography, agriculture, carving art and literacy. The Silk Road is
a modern concept for an ancient network of trade routes that for
centuries facilitated and intensified processes of cultural
interaction and goods exchange between West China, Central Asia,
the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Coherent patterns and
synchronous events in history suggest possible links between social
upheaval, resource utilization and climate or environment forces
along the Silk Road and in a broader area. Post-graduates in
studying will benefit from this work, as well as it will stimulate
young researchers to further explore the role played by the
environment in long-term socio-cultural changes.
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