Status and possible future of the Aral Sea and aquatic ecosystems in southern Aral Sea Region (Priaralye) in Anthropocene

Abstract

The history of the evolution of the ecosystem of the Aral Sea and the South Aral Sea is divided into
two periods: the Late Holocene and the Anthropocene. The morphological indicators of the Aral Sea
remained relatively stable up to the early anthropocene, however, started degradation of its ecosystem
in the 1960s. had very fast and irreversible character. Above all the increase in salinity of the Aral Sea
since the 1960s had a catastrophic effect on its biodiversity, since in the early 1980s 70% of its water
surface and 50% of its water volume were still preserved. Consequently, the sea still possessed sufficient
ecological carrying capacity for the existence of aquatic life populations. At the same time, the main
problem of preserving the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems and developing fisheries in the Southern
Aral Sea region in the Anthropocene is an extremely unstable and scarce water regime, which is aggravated by natural droughts, climate change, and deterioration in water quality. Especially the salinization
of terminal lakes and reservoirs leads to a decrease in biodiversity and biological productivity. The possible future of the Aral Sea depends entirely on possible human intervention, however, the future of the
Large Sea looks problematic, which can turn into a hypersaline reservoir. To improve the sustainability
of hydroecosystems, it is first of all necessary: improving water management taking into account envi ronmental requirements for the conservation of biodiversity and developing fisheries, accelerated implementation of water- saving irrigation technologies, introduction of intensive aquaculture and culturebased fisheries, diversification of aquaculture by introducing salt tolerant species, strengthening research
activity in research institutes and international cooperation.
Key words: Aral Sea, Priaralye, anthropocene, salinization, fish economy