An assessment of ruminant systems and grassland soils in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan

Like many other economies in transition, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan face the dual challenge of promoting development and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and ruminant systems are central for achieving both goals. Given the important economic, nutritional and environmental roles that ruminant systems play in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, we conducted a GHG assessment (based on Tier 2 methodology according 2006 IPCC Guidelines) to understand the role of ruminants and grasslands in emissions and soil organic carbon sequestration in the region.

 This study found that enteric methane and manure management are the predominant sources of emissions from cattle systems; however, the study found that regions with high GHG emissions from the cattle systems also had the highest soil carbon stocks. This is mainly due to the high apportion of carbon into the soil from manure and organic amendments. Thus, in these regions, tailored practices could likely reduce GHG emissions through practices that can increase organic carbon storage.

 This project was the first step in understanding the role of ruminants through advanced GHG accounting methods and serve as a basis for these countries to take on larger climate investment projects and catalyse climate action through sustainable livestock development.

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Visit the LCLUC site to watch recordings of these webinars.

Presenter: Geoffrey Henebry, Michigan State University
Understanding the Twin Challenges Facing Agropastoralism in Montane Central Asia:

Presenter: Alexander Prishchepov, University of Copenhagen
Understanding the Patterns, Drivers and Implications of the Multiple Trajectories of
Massive Land-Cover Change in the Steppe Belt of Eurasia

Presenter: Jiaguo Qi, Michigan State University
Assessing Livestock Carrying Capacity in Aqmola Oblast, Kazakhstan,
Using In-situ Data and Remotely Sensed Products

Presenter: Peilei Fan, Michigan State University
Urbanization and Sustainability Under Transitional Economics: A Synthesis for Asian Russia

Presenter: Kirsten de Beurs, University of Oklahoma
Rapid urbanization, changing croplands and increasing population health vulnerability in the China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor

Presenter: Ranjeet John, University of South Dakota
Interdependent Dynamics of Food, Energy and Water in Kazakhstan and Mongolia:
Connecting LULCC to the Transitional Socioecological Systems

Presenter: Xin Xi, Michigan Technological University
Observing the Aeolian Dust of Central Asia from Space

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This technical note presents a study that compared the average pasture conditions of the periods of 2000–2004 and 2016–2020 in Kyrgyzstan using remote sensing imagery. The note presents the maps and statistics, and explains how pasture conditions in Kyrgyzstan were assessed. The results show that large areas of pasture were degraded between the start of the century and 2016–20. The maps have been used to inform climate policy. IFAD-funded projects and other donor or state-funded programs can use the maps to identify priority areas for pasture rehabilitation.

Read the final report on the May 6-7 virtual meeting for the Central Asia Research Information Network.