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12/2/2009	Alakol-Sasykkol Lakes named Ramsar Site
The government of Kazakhstan has designated its sixth new Wetland of International Importance in the year 2009, complementing its first Ramsar site, which was originally listed by the Soviet Union back in 1976. “Alakol-Sasykkol Lakes System” (914,663 hectares, 46°16’N 081°32’E) is a State Nature Reserve in the far east of the country – it’s Kazakhstan’s largest reserve for nesting wetland birds and a major migratory stop, with over a hundred thousand waterbirds and semi-aquatic birds stopping annually. According to Ramsar’s Ann Aldersey, summarizing the Ramsar Information Sheet that accompanied the designation letter, the system is located in an ancient tectonic depression and comprises 529 river-fed lakes, ranging from saline to fresh water, providing highly diverse habitat for 342 bird species, including 11 internationally threatened species, 203 nesting bird species, and appreciable numbers of moulting waterfowl during summer. Humid, desert, lowland, and mountainous types of habitats are located in very close proximity, and the site is characterized broadly as having five vegetation types: desert, meadow, forest, submerged aquatic, and shrubs. Overlaying significant groundwater resources, the Lakes System also hosts a large variety of endemic and relict plant and fish species, as well as two internationally Vulnerable mammal species (Vormela peregusna and Gazella subgutturosa). The three largest lakes are important fisheries, with annual assessment of optimum catch quotas. The lakes attract many visitors during the summer months, and a viewing tower and visitor centre are planned for construction. Their ecological character is affected by illegal hunting and fishing, uncontrolled water extraction, cattle grazing, recreation, and fires.


11/30/2009	Aral Sea declaration
ST. PETERSBURG STATEMENT ON THE ARAL SEA Background: An international conference on the Aral Sea, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and several other organizations, was held in St. Petersburg, Russia, from 12 to 15 October 2009. The conference was devoted to the Aral: Past, Present and Future and to two centuries of Aral Sea investigations. Scientists and some nonscientists from the European Union (Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Sweden), Israel, Switzerland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, the United States, and Uzbekistan who are studying or interested in the Aral Sea or other similar water bodies participated in the meeting. The statement below is based on the presentations and discussions at this meeting. It represents the consensus of thought on the Aral Sea issue and has been reviewed and commented upon by many of the participants as well as several experts not at the conference. 1. The Aral Sea, a once large terminal lake lying in the deserts of Central Asia, has undergone unprecedented shrinking and salinization since the 1960s. These processes have had serious negative ecologic impacts on the lake and deltas of its two influent rivers. The people living around the lake have also suffered from the sea’s destruction that has worsened environmental and health conditions, devastated local economies, and led to social and cultural disruption. 2. In order to place the modern (post 1960) recession in context, it is essential to understand that the lake has experienced repeated recessions and transgressions since it most recent geological incarnation some 10,000 years ago. These have resulted from natural climate change, development of irrigation in the lake’s basin during the past 4,000 years, and repeated shifts of the major influent river (the Amu Dar’ya) from the Aral westward to the Caspian Sea and then back again to the Aral. The last factor, caused by both natural and human forces, appears to have been the primary cause of deep recessions, the most recent of which occurred during medieval times (13th to 16th Centuries). 3. The modern (post 1960) recession is different than its predecessors. For the first time irrigation is the dominant force driving a major recession rather than diversion of the Amu River away from the lake. This desiccation is the most severe for at least several thousand years and soon will become the greatest in the last 10 millennia. The chief factor leading to the modern drying of the Aral was the expansion of irrigation in the sea’s drainage basin from the mid-1950s to the mid 1980s that went well beyond the point of sustainability, causing a marked decline of river inflow to the lake. Primarily irrigation and secondarily natural climatic cycles have been the dominant cause of the modern drying of the Aral. Global warming in recent decades has started to influence the water balance of the Aral and will become a more important factor in the future; however, it has not been a major cause of the Aral’s desiccation to this time. 4. Diversion (redirection) of Siberian rivers southward to the Aral Sea Basin or the pumping of water from the Caspian to the Aral are not realistic options for solving water problems in Central Asia. They would be too expensive and complicated, would require complex international agreements, and have too many potentially serious environmental consequences. It would be wiser to focus on local and regional solutions to these key issues such as improved efficiency of water use in irrigation and efforts to preserve and partially restore remaining parts of the Aral Sea. 5. The Aral Sea depends on the Amu and Syr rivers for its water. This inflow in turn is the key factor determining both the lake’s size and ecological quality. Hence, an urgent necessity is proper management of the water resources of the Aral Sea drainage basin. This requires cooperation and collaboration among the basin states to solve the critical problems of water management, including water sharing, and the conflicts arising between the upstream and downstream states over the needs of irrigation versus maximization of hydropower output. The most important measure is widespread introduction of modern technologies and methods of irrigated agriculture as part of a program for reconstruction of outdated, inefficient irrigation systems. This would promote reduction of water withdrawals by the countries of the Aral Sea Basin and free water for the Aral Sea, which would aid in the restoration of that water body’s unique biota. Working and lobbying for agricultural reform and rational water use is necessary at all levels of government and society in the Central Asian nations – from the individual user to decision-makers. This process must involve specialists as well as social-ecological organizations, associations and activist groups. 6. There is a long and rich history of Aral Sea studies dating from the middle of the 19th Century. Many high-quality, careful and scientifically sound investigations took place during the Russian Empire and the subsequent Soviet Union and resulted in a plethora of excellent scientific publications. Contemporary research and researchers should not ignore the valuable scientific contributions made during these periods. 7. Reports of the Aral Sea’s death are premature. Although the Aral Sea of the 1960s is gone for the foreseeable future, sizable parts of the lake remain. The Small (north) Aral Sea has been partially, and so far very successfully, restored so that it again has significant ecological and economic value. Although the Eastern Basin of the Large Aral is lost, the Western Basin could be partially preserved and restored, if studies show this to be economically and environmentally feasible. Laudable efforts are also underway to protect and preserve parts of the Syr and Amu Dar’ya deltas. 8. A new research approach is essential for the study of the Aral Sea, river deltas and surrounding region. It must be a balance of theoretical and applied science and involve collaboration of scientists from different disciplines and as many countries as possible. Special efforts must be made to attract and engage younger scientists and researchers in order to secure long-term scientific commitment and continued international dialogue. IFAS (International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea) must co-operate with leading scientists from all countries of the world. 9. An international committee for interdisciplinary ecological monitoring and research on the Aral Sea needs to be established. Its focus should be to develop a comprehensive view of the ecosystems of the lake and immediate surrounding zone (especially the deltas of the two influent rivers). The charge of the committee should be analysis of available data as background for design of measures to improve ecological conditions and water management methods for the Aral Sea and its drainage basin. The Committee should give careful consideration to the ideas for improving the situation of the Aral Sea and near Aral region developed by the International Working Group of the United Nations Environment Program (composed of Western and Soviet experts) from 1990-1992. It also needs to coordinate and cooperate with the existing IFAS (International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and the Near Aral Region) to avoid duplication of effort, to ensure the most effective use of international donor funds, and to avoid interfering with the valuable work of this organization. The Committee should include scientists from a diversity of relevant disciplines, including, but not limited to, limnology, terrestrial ecosystems ecology, geography, geology, botany and zoology, ornithology, hydrology, agronomy, soil sciences, meteorology, historical sciences (anthropology, archeology, history), economics, and ichthyology. It is of critical importance to include local politicians and administrators as well as representatives from public bodies such as NGOs, and other stakeholders on the committee. A research team composed of experts from the Aral Sea region should also be established to carry out a long-term research master plan. As a key part of this effort, funding must be provided for the construction of a modern, well-equipped laboratory at an appropriate location in the Aral Sea Basin. Since many useful and pertinent raw data are fairly inaccessible (e.g., found on handwritten charts and the like) a concerted effort is essential to convert such data to easily accessible digital format. This would improve access to the data and would enable greater participation from the world scientific community


11/19/2009	Video of the Aral Sea
Contacts:	www.zin.ru/labs/brackish/multimedia.html aral@zin.ru
The link http://www.zin.ru/labs/brackish/multimedia.html , leads to an interesting video on the Aral Sea, prepared for the international symposium on the Aral Sea held in St. Petersburg in October.


10/22/2009	International conference on the Aral Sea
An international conference on the Aral Sea was held in St. Petersburg, Russia, 12-15 October. The program of the lectures is given below. The abstracts are available on request as pdf file. The proceedings of the meeting will be published in: - Lakes & Reservoirs: Research and Management (Wiley-Blackwell) - Arid Ecosystems (in Russian) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- First International Conference Aral: Past, Present and Future - Two Centuries of the Aral Sea Investigations 12-15 October 2009 Saint Petersburg Scientific Centre of Russian Academy of Science Saint Petersburg, Russia The Aral ’09 Conference is devoted to: - 160 years since the expedition of A.I. Butakov, - the 100th anniversary of publication of the book “Aral Sea” by Leo S. Berg, - the 70th anniversary of organization of Barsakelmes State Nature Reserve, - 45 years since the Aral Sea Expedition of Russian State Pedagogical University, - 20 years since organization of Brackish Water Laboratory of Zoological Institute, St. Petersburg, - 15 years since setting up the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) Первая международная конференция Арал: прошлое, настоящее и будущее – два века исследований Аральского моря 12-15 октября 2009 года Санкт-Петербургский научный центр Российской академии наук Санкт-Петербург, Россия Конференция Арал ’09 посвящена - 160-летию экспедиции А.И. Бутакова, - 100-летию выхода в свет книги Льва Семёновича Берга «Аральское море», - 70-летию организации Барсакельмесского государственного заповедника, - 45-летию Аральской экспедиции Российского государственного педагогического университета, - 20-летию организации лаборатории соловатоводной гидробиологии Зоологического института РАН, - 15-летию организации Международного фонда спасения Арала (IFAS) Organizing Committee: Со-Chairmans: A.F. Alimov (RAS Academician, Professor, Russia) O.N. Pugachev (RAS Corresponding member, Russia) S.R. Ibatullin (EC Chairman, IFAS, Kazakhstan) Committee Members: • N.V. Aladin, Zoological Institute • N.B. Ananieva, Zoological Institute • N.G. Bogutskaya, Zoological Institute (General Secretary) • D.O. Eliseyev, Russian State Pedagogical University • T.M. Florinskaya, SPb Research Center RAS • V.V. Khlebovich, Zoological Institute • L.A. Kuznetsov, Leningrad Province Institute for Development of Education • A.M. Naseka, Zoological Institute • M.I. Orlova, Zoological Institute (Scientific Secretary) Honorary International Scientific Committee: • N. Boroffka, Germany • Z. Alimbetova, Kazakhstan • U. Buranov, Uzbekistan • J.-F. Cretaux, France • M. Glantz, USA • U. Gattenlöhner, Germany • R.V. Jashenko, Kazakhstan • B. Karimov, Uzbekistan • F.V. Karmazinov, Russia • D. Keyser, Germany • R. Letolle, France • Ph. Micklin, USA • M. Nakamura, Japan • A. Nurushev, Kazakhstan • I.S. Zonn, Russia • S. Rahimov, Tajikistan Technical support group: • O.G. Manylov (Russia) • T.N. Platonova (Russia) • G.F. Plotnikova (Russia) • A.V. Shoshin (Russia) • L.V. Zhakova (Russia) Организационный комитет: Сопредседатели: A.Ф. Алимов (академик РАН, профессор, Россия) O.N. Pugachev (член-корреспондент РАН, Россия) С.Р. Ибатуллин (Председатель исполнительного комитета IFAS, Казахстан) Члены комитета: • Н.В. Аладин, Зоологический институт РАН • Н.Б. Ананьева, Зоологический институт РАН • Н.Г. Богуцкая, Зоологический институт РАН (секретарь) • Д.O. Елисеев, Российский государственный педагогический университет • T.M. Флоринская, Санкт-Петербургский научный центр РАН • В.В. Хлебович, Зоологический институт РАН • Л.A. Кузнецов, Ленинградский областной институт развития образования • A.M. Насека, Зоологический институт РАН • M.И. Орлова, Зоологический институт РАН (секретарь) Почётный междуранодный научный комитет: • Н. Бороффка, Германия • З. Алимбетова, Казахстан • У. Буранов, Узбекистан • Ж.-Ф. Крето, Франция • М. Гланц, США • У. Гаттенлёнер, Германия • Р.В. Ященко, Казахстан • Б. Каримов, Узбекистан • Ф.В. Кармазинов, Россия • Д. Кайзер, Германия • Р. Летолль, Франция • Ф. Миклин, США • М. Накамура, Япония • A. Нурушев, Казахстан • И.С. Зонн, Россия • С. Рагимов, Таджикистан Техническая поддержка: • О.Г. Манылов (Россия) • T.Н. Платонова (Россия) • Г.Ф. Плотникова (Россия) • A.В. Шошин (Россия) • Л.В. Жакова (Россия) Conference website / сайт конференции: http://www.zin.ru/conferences/Aral2009/index.html Meeting Venue Registration and Sessions on 12-14 October 2009 The conference will be hosted by the St. Petersburg Scientific Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya Embankment, 5, at the Split of Vasilievskiy Island (Strelka Vasilievskogo Ostrova). Место проведения конференции Регистрация и заседания 12-14 октября 2009 г.: Санкт-Петербургский научный центр российской академии наук, Университетская наб., 5 (Стрелка Васильевского острова). 15 October 2009: Conference Hall of the Hotel “Krestovskiy Ostrov” - http://www.hotelkrestov.ru/ - which is located at “Krestovskiy Ostrov” metro station, Deputatskaya Str. 34. Заседания 15 октября 2009 г.: Конференц-зал гостиницы «Крестовский остров» - http://www.hotelkrestov.ru/ - расположенной по адресу Депутатская ул. 34, у станции метро «Крестовский остров». Programme - Программа 13 October 13 октября Opening Сeremony – Открытие 10.00-10.15 Opening Address by Oleg N. Pugachev, Director, Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Science Приветственное слово директора Зоологического института РАН Олега Николаевича Пугачева 10.15-10.30 A DOCUMENTARY FILM ON THE PRESENT-DAY ARAL by Zuyev Yu., Eliseyev D. and Aladin I. ДОКУМЕНТАЛЬНЫЙ ФИЛЬМ О СОВРЕМЕННОМ АРАЛЕ (авторы Зуев Ю., Елисеев Д. и Аладин И.) 10.30-11.00 Plenary Lecture: Ibatullin S. The Aral basin: the time of trial and activity. [Presented by Karlikhanov T.] Пленарный доклад: Ибатуллин С. Аральский бассейн: время испытаний и действий. [Представлен Карлихановым Т.] 11.00-11.30 Plenary Lecture: Mironenkov А., Sarsembekov T., Sarsembekov V. Social, economic and political consequences of the Aral ecological crisis. Пленарный доклад: Мироненков А., Сарсембеков Т., Сарсембеков В. Социально-экономические и политические последствия Аральского экологического кризиса. 11.30-11.50 Van Stappen G., Marden B., Mirabdullayev I., Zholdasova I., Vyverman W., Bosteels Th., Sorgeloos P. Economic and ecological benefits from sustainable use of the Aral Sea Artemia resources: results and experiences from a field sampling campaign conducted in the Uzbek part of the Aral Sea (2005-2007). Ван Стаппен Ж., Марден Б., Мирабдуллаев И., Жолдасова И., Виверман У., Бостеельс Т., Соргелоос П. Экономическая и экологическая польза экологически рационального использования ресурсов Artemia Аральского бассейна: результаты и опыт полевого исследования, проведённого в Узбекистане в 2005-2007 гг. 11.50-12.10 Karlsson I., Björklund G. Sustainable cotton – an achievable goal in the Aral Sea area? Карлссон И., Бьёрклунд Г. Экологически устойчивое выращивание хлопка – достижима ли эта цель в Аральском регионе? 12.10-12.30 Coffee Break – Перерыв 12.30-12.50 Krivonogov S., Kuznim Ya., Burr G., Gusskov S., Khazin L., Zhakov E., Nurgizarinov A., Kurmanbayev R., Kenshinbay T. New data on the Aral Sea level changes in the Holocene and Pre-Holocene times. Кривоногов С., Кузьмин Я., Бёрр Дж., Гуськов С., Хазин Л., Жаков Е., Нургизаринов А., Курманбаев Р., Кеншинбай Т. Новые данные об изменениях уровня Аральского моря в голоцене и в предголоценовое время. 12.50-13.10 Gophen M. Water level decline in lakes: the difference between disaster and welfare. Гофен М. Понижение уровня воды в озёрах: между бедствием и благополучием. 13.10-13.30 Ibrahimov Sh. The forecast of parasitological situation in the Aral Sea in compliance with possible options of future environmental condition of this water body. Ибрагимов Ш. Прогноз паразитологической ситуации в Аральском бассейне в соответствии с возможными вариантами будущих условий окружающей среды в этом бассейне. 13.30-15.00 Lunch – Обед 15.00-15.30 Plenary Lecture: Micklin Ph. The future Aral Sea: is the glass half full or half empty? Пленарный доклад: Миклин Ф. Будущее Аральского моря: стакан наполовину пуст или наполовину полон? 15.30-16.00 Plenary Lecture: Aladin N. The Aral Sea: already dead, dying, or alive? Пленарный доклад: Аладин Н. Аральское море: уже умерло, умирает или ещё живёт? 16.00-16.20 Karlikhanov T., Ospanov K. Monitoring as the basis of ecological regulation of water quality. Карлиханов Т., Оспанов К. Мониторинг - основа экологического нормирования качества водных ресурсов. 16.20-16.40 Coffee Break – Перерыв 16.40-17.00 Aldyakova O. Geoinformational mapping and landscape-ecological monitoring support in the southern Aral Sea region. Альдякова О. Геоинформационное картографирование и ландшафтно-экологический мониторинг в южной части аральского региона. 17.00-17.20 Shabanova L., Dzhusupov А. Saving biodiversity of terrestrial ecosystems of the Kazakhstan part of the Aral Sea. Шабанова Л., Джусупов А. Сохранение биоразнообразия наземных экосистем казахстанской части Аральского моря. 17.20-17.40 Kuznetsov L. Lessons and outlooks (about the Program of Studies in the Barsakelmes Reserve). Кузнецов Л. Уроки и перспективы (о программе исследований в Барсакельмесском заповеднике). 17.40-18.00 Barlykbayev E., Alimbetova Z. Peculiarities of biodiversity monitoring in Nature Reserve Barsakelmes in conditions of ecological crisis. Барлыкбаев Е., Алимбетова З. Особенности мониторинга биоразнообразия в природном заповеднике Барсакельмес в условиях экологического кризиса. 14 October 14 октября 10.00-10.30 Plenary Lecture: Kubota J. Historical interaction between human and the environment in arid regions of Central Eurasia – a multi-disciplinary research project. Пленарный доклад: Кубота Дж. Исторические аспекты взаимодействия человека и окружающей среды – мультидисциплинарный исследовательский проект. 10.30-11.00 Plenary Lecture: Boroffka N. Archaeology and its relevance to the history of climate and hydrology. Пленарный доклад: Бороффка Н. Археология и ее значение для изучения истории климата и гидрологии. 11.00-11.20 Sorokin A. Modelling of the possible inflow to the Aral Sea. Сорокин А. Моделирование будущего притока в Аральское море. 11.20-11.40 Navratil P. Multi-sensoral remote sensing of land cover and wetland habitats on the desiccated Aral Sea bed in southern Priaralye. Навратил П. Мультисенсорное дистанционное зондирование поверхности и водных биотопов высохшего дна Аральского моря в Южном Приаралье. 11.40-12.00 Yasinskiy V., Mironenkov А., Sarsembekov V. Regional features of modern environmental problems in Central Asia. [Presented by Sarsembekov T.] Ясинский В., Мироненков А., Сарсембеков В. Региональные особенности современных экологических проблем Центральной Азии. [Представлен Сарсембековым Т.] 12.00-12.30 Coffee Break – Перерыв 12.30-12.50 Maniatsi S., Baxevanis A., Papacostas S., Aladin N., Abatzopoulos Th. Genetic identification of Aral Artemia populations. Маниаци С., Баксеванис А., Папакостас С., Аладдин Н., Абатзопулос Т. Генетическая идентификация аральских популяций Artemia. 12.50-13.10 Shabanova L., Akshalova А. GIS of cadastres of forestry and especially saving territories, objects of animal world and fish cadastre. Шабанова Л., Акшалова А. ГИС кадастров лесов, особо охраняемых территорий, объектов животного мира и кадастра рыб. 13.10-13.30 Karlikhanov T., Seytzhanova Sh. Collector-drainage waters in the Aral Sea basin and possibilities of their repeated use. Карлиханов Т., Сейтжанова Ш. Коллекторно-дренажные воды бассейна Аральского моря и возможности их повторного использования. 13.30-15.00 Lunch - Обед 15.00-15.30 Plenary Lecture: Cretaux J.-F. Aral Sea level variability. Пленарный доклад: Крето Ж.-Ф. Изменения уровня Аральского моря. 15.30-16.00 Plenary Lecture: Van Baalen M. Adding insult to Injury: climate change exacerbates adverse effects of irrigation practices in the Aral Sea basin. Пленарный доклад: Ван Баален М. Изменение климата усугубляет неблагоприятное воздействие ирригации в аральском бассейне. 16.00-16.20 Eliseyev D. Research of vertebrates in the Barsakelmes Nature Reserve by the expedition of the Russian State pedagogical University. Елисеев Д. Изучение позвоночных животных Барсакельмесского заповедника экспедицией Российского государственного педагогического университета. 16.20-16.40 Coffee Break 16.40-17.00 Zhakova L. Aquatic flora composition and distribution of macrophytes in the Aral Lake: comparison for the present and the past. Жакова Л. Состав и распространение макрофитов в Аральском море: прошлое и настоящее. 17.00-17.20 Pankratova I. Changes of energetic expenditures during transpiration in psammophylous phytocenoses. Панкратова И. Изменение энергетических затрат на дыхание в псаммофильных фитоценозах. 17.20-17.40 Plotnikov I. Dynamics of free-living invertebrate fauna of the Aral Sea. Плотников И. Динамика фауны свободноживущих беспозвоночных Аральского моря. 17.40-18.00 Ermakhanov Z. Changes in the Aral Sea fish communities and fishery in the period of ecological crisis. Ермаханов З. Изменения, происходящие в ихтиоцинозе и рыбном промысле Аральского моря в период экологического кризиса. 15 October 15 октября 10.00-10.30 Plenary Lecture: Babaev A., Razakov R., Tashmuhamedov B., Umarov N., Toderich K., Safarov K., Rahmonov B., Kosnazarov K., Savitsky A., Veselov V. Rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems using innovative technologies for sustainable economic development and stabilization of ecological situation in Priaralye. Пленарный доклад: Бабаев Ф., Разаков Р., Ташмухамедов Б., Умаров Н., Тодерих К., Сафаров К., Рахмонов Б., Косназаров К., Савицкий А., Веселов В. Реабилитация деградированных экосистем с использованием инновационных технологий устойчивого экономического развития и стабилизации экологической ситуации в Приаралье. 10.30-11.00 Plenary Lecture: Oren A. The dying Dead Sea: comparative community genomics of microbial communities in an increasingly extreme environment. Пленарный доклад: Орен А. Умирающее Мёртвое море: сравнительная геномика микробиальных сообществ в экстремальных условиях среды. 11.00-11.20 Sokolov S. Aral: the blue unknown sea. Соколов С. Арал: Синее Неизвестное море. 11.20-11.40 Kashkarov R., Mitropolskiy O., Ten A., Matekova G., Atakhodjaev A. Current status and problems of conservation of avifauna of Southern Priaralye. Кашкаров Р., Митропольский О., Тен А., Матекова Г., Атаходжаев А. Современное состояние и проблемы сохранения авифауны южного Приаралья. 11.40-12.00 Kashkarov O. Development of student initiatives and ecological education aimed at protection of avifauna in Karakalpakstan. [Presented by Kashkarov R.] Кашкаров О. Развитие студенческих инициатив и экологического просвещения, направленного на изучение и охрану орнитофауны в Каракалпакстане. [Представлен Кашкаровым Р.] 12.00-12.30 Coffee Break – Перерыв 12.30-12.50 Novikova N. Scientific and practical problems of the organization of landscape-ecological monitoring in Southern Priarayie. Новикова Н. Научные и практические задачи организации ландшафтно-экологического мониторинга в Южном Приаралье. 12.50-13.10 Ogai O. Results of Socio-economic monitoring project "The Sudochie Lake Wetland Restoration". Огай О. О результатах социально-экономического мониторинга проекта «Восстановление водно-болотных угодий озера Судочье». 13.10-13.30 Kuzmina Zh., Treshkin S. Influence of change of climate and soils at artificial formation of halophytes vegetation in Aral Sea region. Кузьмина Ж., Трёшкин С. Влияние изменения климата и почв в искусственных формациях галофитовой растительности Аральского региона. 13.30-15.00 Lunch – Обед 15.00-15.20 Smurov A., Fokin S., Aladin N. The effect of oceanic and Aral Sea water on salinity tolerance of Paramecia ssp. (Ciliata). Смуров А., Фокин С., Аладин Н. Влияние океанической и аральской воды на солёностную устойчивость Paramecia ssp. (Ciliata). 15.20-15.40 Buranov U. The Aral Sea yesterday and today, and appropriate measures for stabilization of the ecological situation in the region. Буранов У. Аральское море вчера, сегодня и принимаемые меры по стабилизации экологического равновесия в регионе. 15.40-16.00 Nurmaganbetov D. Risk assessment and uncertainty of ecosystem functioning. Нурмаганбетов Д. Оценка риска и неопределенности функционирования экосистем. 16.00-16.20 Durtschi P. The Aral Sea issue in the mass media. Дуртши П. Проблемы Аральского моря в масс-медиа. 16.20-16.40 Coffee Break – Перерыв 16.40-18.00 ROUND TABLE AND DISCUSSIONS on future scientific cooperation КРУГЛЫЙ СТОЛ И ОБСУЖДЕНИЕ будущего научного сотрудничества DISCUSSION OF THE DOCUMENTARY FILM ON THE PRESENT-DAY ARAL ОБСУЖДЕНИЕ ДОКУМЕНТАЛЬНОГО ФИЛЬМА О СОВРЕМЕННОМ АРАЛЕ


9/7/2009	Two high Chilean salt lakes named as Ramsar Sites
Contacts:
The government of Chile has designated two more high altitude Wetlands of International Importance, and according to the supporting documentation, “both sites are located in the Antofagasta region and will be part now of the Ramsar site network in the high Andean northern Chile (administrative regions Arica and Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, and Atacama)”. Salar de Aguas Calientes IV and Salar de Pujsa are both centered upon saline lakes that are extraordinarily important for Western Hemisphere migratory birds, and both also support appreciable populations of mammals. Chile now has 11 Ramsar sites covering a surface area of 192,080 hectares. Ramsar’s Assistant Advisor for the Americas, Ms Nadia Castro, has prepared brief site descriptions based on the accompanying Ramsar Information Sheets. Salar de Aguas Calientes IV. 14/08/09; Región de Antogafasta; 15,529 ha; 24º59’S 068º38’W. This High Andean site (3,665m a.s.l.) is located in the deserted area of the Central Dry Puna of northern Chile. The saline lakes (salt pans) and azonal vegetation (meadows and bofedales) – wetlands caused by groundwater upwelling – sustain a rich and abundant wildlife. Similarly to the neighboring Ramsar site “Salar de Pujsa”, this wetland is a staging area (feeding and roosting) for interhemispheric migratory birds, such as sandpipers (Calidris bairdii, C. melanotos, C. himantopus, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus), yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca, T. flavipes), and Wilson's Phalarope (Steganopus tricolor). Furthermore, the three high Andean flamingo species (Andean, Chilean and James’s), Darwin's Rhea (Pterocnemia pennata), Andean Goose (Chloephaga melanoptera), and Puna Tinamou (Tinamotis pentlandii), as well as the mammals short-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla brevicaudata) and vicuña (Vicugna vicugna), are present in the area. Currently there are mining concessions for salt extraction, which implies a conservation threat, either directly due to salt extraction from the surface or indirectly due to groundwater extraction. Ramsar site no. 1870. Most recent RIS information: 2009. Salar de Pujsa. 14/08/09; Región de Antofagasta; 17,397 Ha; 23°11’S 067°32’W. Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos. This High Andean site (4,530m a.s.l.) is comparable to an oasis in the desert – although it is located in the deserted area of the Central Dry Puna of northern Chile, groundwater flows to the surface naturally, which allows the formation of saline lakes (salt pans) and azonal vegetation (meadows and bofedales) that sustain the regional wildlife. The site constitutes one of the most important wetlands for the conservation of high Andean flamingos (Andean, Chilean and James’s), which are relatively abundant in the site (more than 1% of the global population, in all cases). It is also a staging area (feeding and roosting) for interhemispheric migratory birds, such as sandpipers, yellowlegs, and Wilson's Phalarope. In addition, the site stands out by the presence of large groups of austral vicuña (Vicugna vicugna vicugna), which graze in the meadows around the lake. The native communities Toconao and Talabre use the meadows and bofedales for grazing livestock (lamas and alpacas) and harvesting medicinal plants. Recently these communities, supported by the public sector, have started to take part in tourism activities in order to increase traditional household incomes. The Salar de Pujsa lies within the Atacama site, one of the 14 priority sites of the Wetland Network of Importance for Conservation of High-Andes Flamingos in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Part of the Ramsar site is protected under the National Reserve Los Flamencos. Ramsar site no. 1871. Most recent RIS information: 2009. Best regards, Dwight Peck, Ramsar. ********** Dwight Peck Communications Officer Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Gland, Switzerland

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