Monitoring expedition of spring flora in two State desert reserves the Repetek Biosphere and Bereketly Garagum Reserves, is completed.Pirly Kepbanov from National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna as well florist Alexander Pavlenko from Serdar have made scientific and practical studies.
The scientists were joined by the personnel of natural protection territories including Deputy Scientific Director of Repetek Nurulla Tachnazarov.Together, they made accounting and description of plant communities.
Rainy spring provided variety of species and good growth of plants that can be met in the desert. 115 species have been discovered in Repetek for five days Astragalus campylorhynchus, Alyssum turkestanicum, Descurainia Sophia.
At the same time, 19 species from the list like Artemisia dimoana from the Red Book, Karelinia caspia, Haplophyllum bungei were found for the first time in these places.
Aristida was observed at the foot of the dunes while the effect of walking; desert acacia, when the tree puts down the roots aside, was seen at quicksand.Hundred year old saxaul is an attraction of the Reserve’s office.
Exact composition of higher plants of natural protection territory Berekelty Garagum has not been made yet.According to initial data, this is around 180 species. 157 species have been detected during the monitoring of Murzachyrla and Kamyshla.
Two flora species, Asparagus turkestanicus Popov and Artemisia dimoana from the Red Book of Turkmenistan as well as the variety of annual and perennial ephemeral, ephemeroid and cruciferae plants have been observed.
Rare Ferula litwinowiana has also been discovered.Saxaul grove Charlak has pleased with thick vegetation.
This spring, the desert presents blossoming carpet of poppies, which includes albino flowers.Entire fields of Microcephala lamellate, which looks like Matricaria, and arnebia have been seen.Numerous Strigosellas has decorated the landscape with violet ornaments while Ferula karelinii has opened wonderful umbrellas.
Due to plenty of rain, some species of astragalus have the height of a man.Grassy Eminium lehmanii with unusually black leaves were met often.
The trip turned into an exciting tour around natural attractions the hills and slat lowlands of Unguz, old riverbed of the Amudarya.Ferulas have sprung these days at the lands of Unguz.
Significant bloom of this wonderful plant the gigantic grass of desert, is observed this year.Even though this plant is a perennial it is also a monocarpic, in other words, it blooms and bears fruits once in a lifetime on the last year.
In addition to natural attractions, the interest was raised by ancient aquatic facilities water wells and pools, which were renovated and serve to people.
Second monitoring of these territories is planned in autumn to see full picture of the vegetation. the expedition was organized by agricultural and ecological department under joint project of the Michael Zukkoff Fund.