As part of a joint research project entitled “The impacts and adaptation of climate change on ecosystems in arid lands of Central Asia—joint research of the ecological transects in China and Kazakhstan”, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and Institute of Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry (ISSAC), Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, conducted a joint scientific investigation in the Aral Sea region in Kazakhstan from the end of September to early October 2011. The joint team carried out scientific survey in Almaty, Dzhambul and Kyzylorda States, and South Kazakhstan Oblast, trekking a 4000-km journey.

During their investigation, they understood the landscape and social situation of each state, investigated the local soil and vegetation in detail, and collected background data of a dry lakebed in the Aral Sea region by observing soil profiles, conducting spectrum analysis of vegetation and taking photographs for the further ecological research in this region. With this joint investigation, researchers have constructed profound recognition for the homogeneity and heterogeneity between landscapes of the same latitude in China and Kazakhstan, and the degradation status of the Aral Sea region.

Once completed, ISSAC researchers gave high appraisal to this joint scientific investigation, saying they hoped to increase scientific cooperation between XIEG and ISSAC in the future.

  

Taking soil samples from the Aral Sea region

 

Spectrum analysis of vegetation in the field