NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE ECOLOGICAL SITUATION ON THE WORLD OF FLORA AND FAUNA IN UZBEKISTAN
Keywords:
Uzbekistan, ecology, biodiversity, flora, fauna, desertification, Aral Sea, land degradation, Red Book, climate change, habitat loss.Abstract
Uzbekistan is one of the ecologically vulnerable countries of Central Asia because its natural ecosystems are strongly influenced by arid climate, water scarcity, desertification, salinization, intensive agriculture, overgrazing, pollution, and the long-term consequences of the Aral Sea disaster. The country possesses rich biodiversity: its flora includes about 4,300 species of higher plants, around 10% of which are endemic, while vertebrate fauna includes 715 species, including 107 mammals, 467 birds, 61 reptiles, 77 fish, and 3 amphibians [1; 3]. However, the current ecological situation negatively affects the stability of plant communities, animal habitats, migration routes, reproductive processes, and genetic diversity. The Red Book of Uzbekistan includes hundreds of rare and endangered plant and animal species, which indicates that biodiversity degradation is not only a theoretical problem but also an urgent conservation issue [4; 5]. This article analyzes the theoretical foundations of ecological degradation and its impact on flora and fauna in Uzbekistan. It also examines the main anthropogenic and natural factors that worsen biodiversity conditions, including land degradation, climate change, pasture degradation, water ecosystem decline, and habitat fragmentation. The study concludes that the protection of flora and fauna requires an integrated approach based on scientific monitoring, ecological education, restoration of degraded landscapes, sustainable water management, and expansion of protected natural areas.
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