The Aral Sea: The Devastation and Partial Rehabilitation of a Great Lake

by Philip Micklin (Editor), N.V. Aladin (Editor), Igor Plotnikov (Editor)

Overview

The book is structured into six core parts. The first part sets the scene and explains how the use of Aral basin water resources, primarily used for irrigation, have destroyed the Aral Sea. The team explains how spheres and events interact and the related problems. Part 2 examines the social consequences of the ecological catastrophe and the affect of the Aral Sea desiccation on cultural and economic conditions of near Aral region. Part 3 explores the scientific causes of the destruction using detailed analyses and data plus some of their own research spanning aquatic biology, terrestrial biology, hydrology, water management and biodiversity. They also share some of the latest archaeological discoveries and paleobotanical analysis to delineate past levels and characteristics of the Aral Sea. There is particular focus on modern remote sensing and GIS techniques and how they can monitor the Aral Sea and the environment. Part 4 discusses regional and international initiatives to mitigate human and ecological problems of the Aral Sea and the wider political and economic consequences. With thorough insight of the total environment cost, the final chapters of the book will provide lessons for the future. There are insightful case studies throughout. Multidisciplinary by nature, all titles in our new reference book series will explore significant changes within the Earth’s ecosystems and to some extent, and will tackle ways to think about our changing environment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783662505540
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	08/23/2016
Series:	Springer Earth System Sciences , #10178
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2014
Pages:	453
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Part 1: ‘Foreword’ from Dr Philip Micklin, Series Editor.- ‘Series Introduction’ co-written by Dr Philippe Blondel & Dr John W Mason.- Narrative to set the scene and explain the event and related problems.- Detailed explanation on how the spheres and events interact.- Part 2: Insight and explanations around the social .- consequences of the event/problem.- Part 3: Scientific causes of the above - could present different views around the theme from various experts.- Part 4: Mitigation – wider consequences (social, psychological, political).- Part 5: The economic impact.- Part 6: Lessons learnt for the future (with insight of the total environmental cost).