This book summarizes a long-term research project addressing land
and water use in the irrigated areas of the Aral Sea basin. In an
interdisciplinary approach, natural and human sciences are combined
to elucidate the challenges of economic transition that affect the
use of land, water and biological resources, ecological
sustainability, economic efficiency and the livelihoods of the
local population. The research focuses on Khorezm, a region in
Uzbekistan, located on the Amudarya river, in the heart of Central
Asia. A series of chapters describes the biophysical environment
and the aspects of society and institutions that shape land and
water use. The book discusses options and tools to improve land and
water management, and to reform the economic system management,
based on agronomic, hydrological, economic ans social studies and
modeling. The insights are not only important for Uzbekistan, but
for all countries in transitions and irrigated dryland areas
elsewhere.
