World Heritage thematic study for Central Asia: priority sites for World Heritage nomination under criteria (ix) and (x)

Lethier, Hervé

doi:10.2305/iucn.ch.2020.02.en

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Central Asia (Lethier, 2019) This recent study contains valuable information on the neighbouring mountain ranges, which can be used for comparisons with HKH. No specific hints at World Heritage gaps or priorities in the small areas overlapping with HKH.…”

Section: Focus and Reference Results / Comments / Observationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are important links and similarities even with the Altai Mountains further north shared by China, the Russian Federation's Altai Republic, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. IUCN has published a separate World Heritage study with a focus on Central Asia, which includes coverage of some of these neighbouring mountain ranges (Lethier, 2019, see also Magin, 2005).…”

Section: The Heart Of High Asiamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With the noteworthy exception of Wakhan National Park, which merits a closer look as a possible candidate site, the ecosystem profile for the Central Asian Mountains is a valuable and up-todate source when comparing possible World Heritage sites in the HKH with other candidate sites in the nearby Central Asian mountain ranges, outside of, but sharing features with, HKH. Interested readers may in addition wish to consult Lethier (2019) and Magin (2005).…”

Section: Mountains Of Central Asia (Cepf 2017)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Central Asia (Magin, 2005) While substantially updated by Lethier (2019), the study continues to provide a wealth of useful information, to be considered, for example, in comparative analyses. The small number of recommended sites with possible World Heritage potential does not encompass sites within HKH.…”

Section: Forests (Unesco 2005)mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Leveraging the World Heritage Convention for conservation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

Jaeger¹

2021

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The Himalaya proper is commonly defined as the rugged arc between the Tibetan Plateau and the Ganges Plain stretching from the Indus River in the northwest to the great bend of the Brahmaputra River (Yarlung Tsangpo) in the east. The natural and cultural wealth of the HKH region is as overwhelming as its scenic beauty. The same holds true for the region’s enormous ecosystem services underpinning the livelihoods, food security and energy provision of a substantial part of the world’s human population in the region itself and downstream along the numerous major rivers originating in it. It is clear that such an exceptional region is of significant relevance to an intergovernmental agreement with the objective to identify and conserve the world’s most precious cultural and natural heritage, the World Heritage Convention. This assessment is strictly technical in nature; it aims at shedding light on the regional potential of the Convention from a nature conservation perspective based on a literature review and expert consultation.

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Section: Focus and Reference Results / Comments / Observationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Heart Of High Asiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Mountains Of Central Asia (Cepf 2017)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Forests (Unesco 2005)mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Leveraging the World Heritage Convention for conservation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

Jaeger¹

2021

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“…The lower part of Zarafshan River flows through the semi-arid territory of the southern desert of Central Asia [6], where the disappearance of fresh groundwater and unstable…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diatom Algae-Indicators of Water Quality in the Lower Zarafshan River, Uzbekistan

Barınova

Mamanazarova

2021

Water

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This work is the first, the purpose of which was a comprehensive assessment of the ecological state of the lower reaches of the Zarafshan River using bioindication of water quality by diatoms based on species’ ecological preferences, pollution indices, statistics, and ecological mapping. A total of 198 species and subspecies of diatoms were first identified from 195 samples collected four times a year at six sites in the lower reaches of the Zarafshan River in 2009–2015. The richest species were Cymbella, Navicula, and Nitzschia. Pleurosira laevis, resistant to salinity, was first found in aquatic habitats in Uzbekistan. Bioindicators of nine environmental variables make up 91% of the list. Distribution analysis of variables, pollution indices (SLA—SládečDek index of saprobity), and toxicity indices (WESI—Water Ecosystem State Index) show increases in salinity, turbidity, and decreases in organic pollution downstream. The source of acidification can be the Navoi region. We found an increase in the ability to self-purify with an increase in species richness and abundance of diatoms in the lower part of Zarafshan. Thus, the ecosystem of the studied part of the river successfully copes with the incoming pollution from the middle part of Zarafshan and demonstrates some stability and successful self-purification with a water quality class of 2–3. The first studied lower reaches of the ecosystem of the Zarafshan River using bioindicators, statistics, and ecological mapping show that the problem of aridization in Central Asia does not necessarily lead to degradation of the river ecosystem and an increase in pollution, but with rational water use can improve water quality and self-purification processes. Hence, diatoms can be good indicators of river water quality in a semi-arid region and reflect the climate and anthropogenic load change. We recommend that attention be paid to nutrient and turbidity management and to expand state monitoring points to the lower part of the river up to the Karakul region.

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Using Algal Indices to Assess the Ecological Condition of the Aras River, Northwestern Iran

Parikhani,

Atazadeh,

Razeghi

et al. 2023

JMSE

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This work is the first in a series, and its purpose is the comprehensive assessment of the ecological state of the Aras River using biological indicators of water quality by diatoms based on species’ ecological preferences, pollution indices, statistics, and ecological mapping. Samples of diatoms and soft algae and measurements of water quality were analyzed at sixteen sampling sites (between 2020 and 2022) along the Aras River. The impact of anthropological activity on the river was monitored concerning water quality, river health, and ecosystem function. The physical and chemical characteristics of the water were measured. The biological properties of the algal periphyton communities, including species composition, were also measured. Based on the studies conducted in this research, 280 species were identified. The most prosperous species were Diatoma vulgaris, Amphora ovalis, Cocconeis placentula, Rhoicosphenia abbre-viatae, Cymbella helvetica, Brevisira arentii, Navicula tripunctata, Nitzschia linearis, Microcystis botrys, Microcystis aeruginosa, Pseudanabaena limnetica, Scenedesmus obliquus, and Pleurosira laevis (a pollution-resistant and salinity-resistant species first found in aquatic habitats in the Aras River). As a result, the empirical data and algal indices showed the river’s lower reaches to be in poor condition. Exploration of the algal assemblage and water chemistry data using computationally unconstrained ordination techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated two strong gradients in the data sets. The results support that water body classification is a function of water chemistry and biological and hydrological characteristics, as it is necessary to include pollutant effects on biota since the nature of the receiving waters influences the river’s water quality.

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World Heritage thematic study for Central Asia: priority sites for World Heritage nomination under criteria (ix) and (x)

Abstract: WORLD HERITAGE THEMATIC STUDY FOR CENTRAL ASIA Country KBA name Km 2 Global KBA criteria met Potential trigger species for criteria (x)

Cited by 3 publications

References 11 publications

Leveraging the World Heritage Convention for conservation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

Leveraging the World Heritage Convention for conservation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

Diatom Algae-Indicators of Water Quality in the Lower Zarafshan River, Uzbekistan

Using Algal Indices to Assess the Ecological Condition of the Aras River, Northwestern Iran

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