Under natural and anthropogenic pressures, the area of ecosystems in the last 30 years has changed. Anthropogenic ecosystems, particularly urban, have increased. Natural ecosystems in lowlands and middle mountains have reduced, mainly due to mastering of new agricultural lands. High-mountain desert and alpine ecosystems have increased.

Nival glacial ecosystems occupy high-mountain landscapes of the country, a considerable part of the Eastern and Western Pamirs. The cold glacial rocky landscapes of these ecosystems are characterized by 8-10 species of flowering plants: Melandrium apelatum, whitlow grass (Draba altaica), milk vetch (Astragalus nivalis), Saussurea glacialis, etc. Rare and endangered mammals such as argali (Ovis ammon), snow leopard (Uncia uncia), and Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica) are typical for the lower boundaries of these ecosystems. These are the areas of world mountain climbing, tourism and international hunting. The long-term tourism and climbing have led to littering many sites within these ecosystems.

High mountain desert ecosystems occupy vast areas of the Pamirs and partially Zeravshan upper stream. They are used for summer cattle grazing, tourism, and international hunting. Flora consists mostly of teresken (Сeratoides Krascheninnikovia), wormwoods (Artemisia pamirica, A.Korshinskyi), Ajania tibetica, feather-grasses (Stipa glareosa), Oxytropis immersa, Acantholimon diaspensioides, A.pamiricum. Typical animals are: argali (Ovis ammon), snow leopard (Uncia uncia), Siberian ibex (Cаpra sibirica), red marmot (Marmota caudata). As the anthropogenic impact on flora and fauna is increasing, pastures are degrading, causing a reduction of habitats for wildlife. In the last decade, hunting alone caused a reduction of argali population by 2 times (very likely). Existing measures on the ecosystem conservation are not effective.

High mountain meadow-steppe ecosystems occur fragmentarily in all mountain ranges of Tajikistan and have great ecological importance. Productivity of grass biomass in these ecosystems is 5-6 times higher comparing to others. Over 90% of summer pastures are located within these ecosystems. Typical flora species are: Festuca alaica, F.pamirica, feather grass (Stipa kirghisorum), meadow grass (Poa alpina), sedge (Carex melanantha, C.stenocarpa), Cobresia stenocarpa, Oxytropis savellanica, thyme (Thymus seravschanicus), etc. In overgrazed areas, the ecosystems are strongly degraded (over 30% of the total area), the grass productivity reduced from 2,000-2,500 to 1,000-1,200 kg per ha. The fauna of these ecosystems includes: snow leopard (Uncia uncia), argali (Ovis ammon), red marmot (Marmota caudata), Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), Tibetian snow partridge (Tetrogallus tibetanus), etc. The ecosystems are transitional between forest and subnival zones.

Mountain coniferous forest ecosystems comprise nearly 50% of the total forested area of the country. They are common in northern Tajikistan, within Kuramin, Turkestan, and Zeravshan ranges. In small fragments, they occur in central, southwestern Tajikistan, and in the Western Pamirs. Juniper forests are important for regulation and conservation of water resources, protecting steep slopes, fortifying river banks, and preventing mudflows. Juniper forests are represented by 4 species: Juniperus seravschanica, J.turkestanica, J.semiglobosa and J.sibirica. There are some rare and endangered animal species: Tien Shanian brown bear (Ursus arctos), urial (Ovis vignei), Tajik markhur (Capra falconeri), etc. The area of ecosystems tends to decrease under the impact of natural and anthropogenic factors. Nearly 30% of their biological diversity are endangered. The main reasons of ecosystem deterioration are: intensive forest cuttings, the lack of biotechnical measures, overgrazing, slow growth of junipers.

Mountain mesophyllic forest ecosystems are represented by maple-walnut, and willow-poplar-birch forests with sparse mesophyllic shrubs. They are important for socio-economic activity (gathering fruits and berries) and keeping the ecological balance. These ecosystems contain a number of rare and endemic species of animals and plants. They are spread all over the country, except for northern and southern Tajikistan. The most valuable communities of these ecosystems are broad-leaf mesophyllic forests: walnut (Juglans regia) and maple (Acer turkestanicum). Valuable walnut-maple forests are located in Sarikhosor, Childukhtaron, and Dashti-Jum reserves. Forests keep a number of wild relatives of fruits: apple (Malus), pear (Pyrus), cherry plum (Prunus sogdiana), hawthorn (Crataegus), barberries (Berberis). Forests include a considerable number of rare and endangered species of flora: Ungernia Victoris, Ostrowskia magnifica, Cousinia darwasica, Cousinia leptocampyla, Iskandera Gissarica, Stipa jagnobica. Small-leaf forests are dominated with birch (Betula tianschanica); they mainly occur in Zeravshan Valley, Karateghin Range, and in the Western Pamirs; mesophyllic shrubs are mainly observed in Central Tajikistan. Typical mammals are: weasel (Mustela pallida), Turkestan lynx (Felis lynx isabellina), snow leopard (Uncia uncia), urial (Ovis vignei), Tien Shan brown bear (Ursus arctos), yellow porcupine (Hystrix leucura).

Mountain xerophytic light forest ecosystems occupy areas of southern and western Tajikistan; small fragments occur in northern Tajikistan. Pistachio forests dominate in these ecosystems. In dry hot regions, pistachio forests regulate surface runoff and serve as habitats for wild animals. The animal world of this ecosystem is rich. There are a few rare mammals: Persian gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), urial (Ovis vignei), wolf (Canis lupus), fox (Vulpes vulpes); reptiles: Central Asian cobra (Naja oxiana), and steppe tortoise (Testudo horsfieldi). The ecosystem contains wild relatives of barley (Hordeum spontaneum), vetch (Vicia tenuifolia), almond (Amygdalus bucharica), persimmon (Diospyros lotus), jujube (Zizyphus jujuba), pomegranate (Punica granatum), grape (Vitis vinifera), etc. Due to the intensive forest cuttings, primary natural ecosystems transform to secondary degraded ecosystems. Many areas of these ecosystems are used as winter pastures and rain-fed lands. These factors as well as impacts from nearby settlements lead to reduction of ecosystems and prevent their natural rehabilitation.

Mountain savannoide ecosystems are widespread in southern and northern Tajikistan. Hot climatic conditions are important factors of their existence. Ephemeral vegetation dominates. Typical flora species are: barley (Hordeum bulbosum), meadow grass-sedge (Poa bulbosa, Carex pachystylis), ferule (Ferula kokanica, F.jaeschkeana), Jerusalem sage (Phlomis bucharica), etc. High-productive winter pastures and leguminous crops are common. Many areas of these ecosystems (40-50%) are degraded and low productive. The animal world, except for insects, is poor with domination of species with summer and winter aestivation periods. There are reptiles: steppe tortoise (Testudo horsfieldi) and desert snake (Ophisaurus apodus). Rare and endemic species include: partridge (Ammoperdix griseogularis), white bustard (Otis tarda), skink (Eumeces schneideri), Persian gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), Turkestan falcon (Falco cherrug), and golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetus). The main reasons of ecosystem degradation are: forest cuttings, intensive ploughing of steep-slope areas, frequent fires, the lack of crop and pasture rotation, overgrazing.

Foothill semi desert ecosystems occupy high terraces of the plains in the lower reaches of rivers: Pyandj, Vakhsh, Kafirnigan, Syrdarya, and Zeravshan. In southern Tajikistan, nearly 30 thousand hectares of these ecosystems are included into protected area of the “Tigrovaya Balka” nature reserve. Typical communities are saxaul (Haloxylon persicum), saltwort (Salsola richteri), wormwood (Artemisia tenuisecta), Hammada leptoclada, sedge (Carex physodes), Halostachys belangeriana, Halocharis hispida. They play an important role in protecting soils, preventing erosion, and used as winter pastures, which make 30-40% of the total winter pastures. Many areas of these ecosystems are degraded and cultivated for irrigated agriculture. Endemic species of fauna, which have regional and global value, can be found here. The animal world of the ecosystems is represented by species, which are adapted to open areas, with rare vegetation and hot dry climate. Typical mammals are: Persian gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), jakal (Canis aureus), big-eared hedgehog (Paraechinus hynomelus), and steppe cat (Felis ornald). Among reptiles, there are: steppe agama (Agama sanguinolenta), gray monitor lizard (Varanus griseus), rapid snake (Taphrometopon lineolatum), and echis (Echis carinatus).

Wetlands and water ecosystems include tugai, meadow-swamp, water and coastal ecosystems. They are very important for keeping a global ecological balance; particularly they serve as habitats for waterfowls of Eurasia. As a result of the degradation of the Aral Sea, numerous waterfowls find new shelter in the tugai ecosystems of “Tigrovaya Balka” nature reserve. Watercourses are major habitats for many species of fish, fur-bearing animals, and birds.

Typical vegetation of the tugai ecosystem is: Populus pruinosa, elaeagnus (Elaeagnus angustifolia), desert thorn (Lycium dasystemum), macereed (Typha angustifolia), alang grass (Imperata cylindrica), bur reed (Phragmites communis), sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum), Kashgar tamarisk (Tamarix hispida), black grass (Juncus articulatus), etc.

Fauna of the tugai ecosystem is diverse comparing to sand-desert ecosystems. Typical birds are: white and gray herons (Egretta alba, Ardea cinerea), bittern (Botaurus stellaris), garganey teal (Anas querguedula), European teal (A. crecea), marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus), mud hen (Rallus aquaticus), moor hen (Gallinula chloropus), pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), pygmy cormorant (Pholacrocarax pugmeus), great cormorant (Ph. carbo), serpent eagle (Circaetus ferox), etc. Typical mammals are: jungle cat (Felis cnans), jackal (Canis aureus), Bukhara red deer (Cervus elaphus), etc.

Wetland ecosystems are very important for keeping ecological balance and improving the socio-economic situation in the country. These ecosystems enrich water and atmospheric air with oxygen; promote natural water purification, regulate water balance. Currently, the biodiversity of wetland ecosystems in lowlands is threatened mainly due to water pollution from irrigated lands.

Anthropogenic ecosystems include agricultural, urban, and ruderal-degraded areas. Taking into account permanent pasturelands, nearly 33% of the country area has been transformed into anthropogenic ecosystems.

Agroecosystems (agricultural ecosystems) are located in all natural zones, ranging from hot foothills to high-altitude deserts. In recent years, the area of agricultural ecosystems has been considerably increased, particularly due to the development of rain-fed and irrigated lands. Agricultural crops represent great diversity of sorts of cultural plants: over 1,000 species of wild relatives of cereals, 1,550 varieties of fruits and berries, 463 - vegetable and melon, 46 - cereal, 39 - leguminous, 25 - industrial, 39 - forage, and about 1,850 - adornment crops. There are about 30 breeds of domestic animals. As a result of inefficient and intensive land use, the destruction of soil fertile layer, salinization and swamping annually occur in many areas.

Urban ecosystems comprise the cities of Dushanbe, Khujand, Isfara, Kanibadam, Istravshan, Kulyab, Kurgan-Tube, Tursunzade, large settlements, and industrial enterprises. The urban zone around the cities is increasing; numerous systems of water supply, heating, green plantations and other infrastructures are artificial and not sustainable.

The anthropogenic impact in urban areas is very high. A great part of invasive species occurs in urban ecosystems.

Ruderal-degraded ecosystems accompany human activities in all altitude zones, particularly in cattle breeding areas. The ruderal communities of low-mountain zone are represented by Cynodon dactilon, Prosopis farcta, Cousinia Olgae, C.polycephala, C.ambigens, C.dichromata, C.microcarpa, C.radians, C.pseudoarctium, etc. In foothills, the ecosystems are generally represented by: caper (Capparis spinosa), fragments of wall barley (Hordeum leporinum), saltworts (Salsola pestifera, S.turkestanica, S.forcipitata), and camel’s thorn (Alhagi kirghisorum). Reed (Saccharum spontaneum) and camel’s thorn (Alhagi kirghisorum) are formed after forest cuttings in mountain zone. Communities of Imperata cylindrica are usually formed in the deserted fallow lands. In the sites of long-term pasturing in sub-alpine zone, Rumex Paulsenianus, Polygonum coriarum become dominant. Weed-ruderal species and communities are dangerous for forest communities, preventing wood restoration. In the low-mountain areas, these ecosystems prevent growing cereals and forage. On the pastures and sown areas, the most dangerous plants for both people and animals are: colchicum (Colchicum luteum), Thermopsis dolichocarpa, Trichodesma incanum, heliotrope (Heliotropium dasicarpum), and wormwood species (Artemisia).

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Last update 03/03/2003
V. Novikov, N. Safarov