NEWS

In the World of Science

The Ylym Publishing House has released a scientific and practical manual Digital System for the Saline Soil Development in Turkmenistan compiled by the team of the scientists from the biodiversity laboratory of the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna of the Ministry of Environment Protection – Candidate of Agriculture Bayrammurad Durdiyev, Candidate of Technology Kakabay Annaniyazov and Candidate of Biology Olga Arzyamova. The manual is intended for agricultural specialists, lecturers of agricultural higher educational establishments and entrepreneurs and is based on the findings of a study conducted in accordance with the Programme of the Socioeconomic Development of Turkmenistan for 2019–2025, the National Programme on the Aral Sea Basin for 2021–2025 and the Conception of Digital Economy Development for 2019–2025. Scientists offer an efficient method of aerospace sensing of Earth and the use geographic information systems – GIS technologies, a method of digital mapping of soil salinity, along with a salinity chemism classification. Phytomelioration remains one of the effective ecological methods; a hyperspectral data analysis is used to ensure success of this method. * * *

11 August 2023

Nature

ROSE

What do you know about rose flowers? Where do you see them? Do you see them being given as a gift? Do you cultivate them? Roses have many benefits that people should know about.

4 August 2023

Nature

The Legal Framework to Environment Protection

One of the main directions of the state policy of Turkmenistan is environment protection and the ensuring of environmental safety. In this regard, concrete steps are being taken both at the national and regional levels. Turkmenistan is actively building up productive cooperation with all interested partners to address such important issues as improving the environment of the Aral Sea region, preserving the Caspian Sea and adapting to climate change. When implementing projects in this area, our country seeks to use the existing solid experience and creative potential for the common good. As part of the practical steps taken to implement the environmental strategy, special attention is paid to the creation of a modern legal framework in this area. Under the leadership of the esteemed President, in the context of large-scale legal reforms, a scientific and systematic approach to the legislative framework for environment protection has been ensured.

28 July 2023

Nature

Mountain “Glass”

The Great Balkhan mountain range, stretching for 80 km in length and 20 km in width, even with all its “compactness” in comparison with other mountain systems of the country, looks massive for the flat steppe surrounding it from all sides. The mountains are high enough (1,880 m above sea level), and when it is already warm at the foot by April, there may still be snow cover at the top. Their steep slopes with a large number of long and short gorges, intricate in their trajectory, with juniper thickets, up to the flat plateau of the upper tier, are difficult to pass and little explored. The mountains are made up of limestone and sandstone massifs, which are covered with grey soils, which explains the abundant vegetation cover. Limestone, depending on impurities, has a different density and, in interaction with precipitation, melt and mudflows, forms canyons of fanciful shape, steep chinks and intricate terrain. Karst sinkholes, niches and recesses in the calcareous mantle of rocky slopes, which, with a certain projection of chiaroscuro and the presence of a share of imagination, create a relief performance: scenery paintings of a pandemonium of various fairy-tale heroes and monsters. It is difficult to take your eyes off this phantasmagoria. The presence of limestone is a sign that the Balkhan Mountains are a product of marine deposits of the Palaeozoic era that underwent m

28 July 2023

Nature

An Old-Timer among Trees

People say about a wise, generous and kind person, “Shady like a plane tree”, drawing an analogy with the tree species of the same name. Another name, Chinar, is a popular female name in the countries of the East. On the territory of Turkmenistan, Oriental Plane – one of the 10 species found in the countries of Central Asia – grows. The tree grows along the banks of mountain rivers and streams and is part of the mixed forests of low mountains and gorges. The plane tree can be several thousand years old, because once planted a thin stem grows into a tree giant in a few centuries. The time of planting is already forgotten long ago and no one remembers the name of the planter, but the tree will give shade and coolness to people for many years to come. Out of respect for the ability of the plant to stand for centuries, people protect centuries-old plane tree groves, and individual old-timers who have reached impressive sizes are revered as sacred, they are given names associated with ancient parables or legends.

21 July 2023

Nature

EMBRACING THE JOY OF SUMMER

EXPLORING ACTIVITIES AND CREATING MEMORIES Summer vacations present an ideal opportunity to explore new places and immerse ourselves in different cultures. Traveling allows us to broaden our perspectives, learn about diverse traditions, and create lasting memories.

15 July 2023

Nature

Transboundary Dialogue on Climate

The participants of the 4th meeting of the Regional Working Group on the development of a Regional Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in Central Asia under the Green Central Asia initiative finalised the text of the Strategy, taking into account all the comments and proposals received from the Central Asia states. The Green Central Asia Initiative has been implemented by the German Society for International Cooperation since 2020 and is part of the activities of the Federal Republic of Germany on climate change and security within the framework of the UN and the EU Strategy on Central Asia. The Green Central Asia Initiative aims to develop a political dialogue and consequently create better access to information and data in order to enable countries to assess the impact of climate change more accurately and to develop cooperative preventive measures. The working group members from each Central Asian country attended the meeting in a hybrid format, which took place on July 4-5. These are representatives of the foreign ministries of the Central Asian states, industry ministries, government agencies/committees, the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and the Interstate Commission for Sustainable Development. The draft Strategy agreed at this stage will be submitted to the countries for final approval and, as planned, the countries will present it at the 28th Conferen

14 July 2023

Nature

Resin from Mountain Caves

This natural resinous mixture of organic and inorganic substances can be found in rock crevices, where it occurs and accumulates in the form of films, “plugs” and outgrowths mixed with sand and pebbles. It is called mumijo; it is the most ancient medicament of natural origin, known in oriental medicine for more than 3,000 years. Its origin has long remained a mystery, most naturalists and now cannot come to a common “denominator”, believing that it is a product of the vital activity of animals and plants. This natural medicinal material is used in animal husbandry as an immunomodulator that help prevent and treat various diseases. Let’s turn to ancient sources. Aristotle, who lived in the 4th century BC, described the medicinal properties of mumijo and how to test its quality. A Central Asian encyclopaedist Al-Biruni (973-1048) writes, “Mountain resin in some respects is identical to amber and aromatic resins. It is a gum that flows from a certain rock in the mountains, and no one knows where its source is. I was in one village and asked about it, and they told me that they go up to hard-to-reach places, look for it and there they find it stuck to stones in the same way as gum grows onto a tree.” A renowned healer Abu Ali ibn Sina (Avicenna) (980-1037) notes, “Mumijo has the same strength and the same nature as zift (asphalt) and bitumen mixed together, but it i

14 July 2023

Nature

On the Garabogazgol Expanses

The Caspian region is an endless expanse of sandy areas, saline to varying degrees, the eolian (“Eol” from ancient Greek is the god of sands) material of which was brought by the wind from the side of the Chilmammetkum sands, plateaus, or kyrs with gypsum outcrops, table-like uplands, depressions with saline lands and rocky geological formations. On top of the continental strata, there is a layer of soil of various thickness, the mechanical structure of which determines the composition and condition of the vegetation. The territories directly adjacent to the Caspian Sea and the Garabogazgol Bay differ in their original, unique landscapes. Their look cannot be confused with other parts of the Karakum Desert – the endlessly stretching plains are unique and unusual for the eye, it is difficult to capture so much space and the high sky! When you visit those places with scientific assignments, doing your usual geobotanical work, you never get tired of admiring the landscapes, in which you can always find something new for yourself, some key element of the area. This little-explored region can be attractive to the tourism sector, its harsh beauty will be appreciated by those who are not afraid to get away from the noise of paved roads. And although there are not so many historical sites, there are plenty of monuments that nature has created, the incredible beauty of which

28 April 2023

Nature

About spring...

When one flower blooms, spring awakens everywhere.

31 March 2023

Nature