Polish scientists help restore the hostile ecosystem of the Aral Sea desert, focusing on soil stabilization and vegetation restoration.
Polish scientists from the University of Warsaw are assisting in the restoration of ecosystems in the dried-up Aral Sea region. The area, now a desert called Aralkum, faces severe challenges including salinated and polluted soils, water shortages, and intense sandstorms.
Led by Prof. Małgorzata Suska-Malawska and Prof. Bogusław Wiłkomirski, the team will work with Uzbekistan’s National University to rehabilitate this hostile environment. The goal is to stabilize the terrain, restore vegetation, and support the remaining local population.
Key strategies involve detailed geomorphological and geochemical mapping to understand soil salinity and the use of salt-tolerant plants like tamarisks and saxauls. Additionally, the project aims to reintroduce useful plants like poplars and alfalfa to help local communities.
This three-year project, funded by Uzbekistan’s Agency for Innovation Development, extends a 20-year collaboration between the universities.