Research Article

Climatic Review of the Study Region (Along the Gissar Ridge)

JS Boymurodov¹ and AK Mirzorahimzoda²*

¹Senior Researcher at the Institute of Botany, Plant Physiology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Candidate of Biological Sciences

²Vice President, Chairman of the Department of Biological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Doctor of Biological Sciences

Submission:February 21, 2025; Published:March 12, 2025

*Corresponding author:AK Mirzorahimzoda, Vice President, Chairman of the Department of Biological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Doctor of Biological Sciences

How to cite this article:JS Boymurodov, AK Mirzorahimzoda. Climatic Review of the Study Region (Along the Gissar Ridge). Paper Recycling Ann Rev Resear. 2025; 12(4): 555842.DOI: 10.19080/ARR.2025.12.555842

Abstract

Tajikistan, as a deeply mountainous country, has its own ecological and geographical features. In particular, each mountain gorges is a unique ecological system, which is reflected in the number and species composition of its flora and fauna. In studying two species of the genus Inula L., several botanical expeditions were created to collect material for research in various directions of the southern slope of the Gissar ridge.

Keywords:Climate; Gissar ridge; Landscape; Weather; Temperature; Precipitation

Introduction

It was revealed that these two species of elecampane differ greatly in distribution area [1], vertical zonation and a number of morphophysiological indicators depending on the ecological and climatic conditions of the place where they grow [2]. Hence, we considered it appropriate in this report to describe the relief, physical and geographical features of the climate and a number of other various properties of the growing area of the research objects as a result of expeditionary routes along the Gissar ridge, about 200 km long, which extends to the south from the Zeravshan ridge and to the north from the city of Dushanbe. It passes through the Gissar region of Tajikistan and the northern part of the Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan. The ridge is composed mainly of crystalline rocks, including shales and sandstones, with an admixture of granite intrusions. The picturesque landscape mosaic includes subtropical tall grass steppes on the lower slopes, then tussock-grass steppes and zones of tree and shrub vegetation. At higher levels follow subalpine meadows, upland xerophytes and alpine shortgrass meadows. The climate of Tajikistan is determined by its geographical location inside Eurasia and on the border of subtropical and temperate climatic zones. Winters can be severe depending on the altitude: below 1400 m mild winters prevail, between 1400 and 1900 m - mild, between 1900 and 2600 m - moderately cold, above 2600 m - cold and very cold [3]. Weather conditions are determined by the influence of cold,dry air from the Siberian anticyclone and moist, warm air from cyclones coming from the Atlantic Ocean. The winter period can last from 70 to 250 days, and during this period the polar front is usually over Tajikistan.

Material and Methods

Tajikistan is located in the Western and Central Asian climatic zones. In the Western Asian zone (Western Pamir-Alai) there are three climatic zones. The mountainous regions of the Gissar ridge are included in the third zone - a zone of insufficiently humid climate with moderately warm summers and moderately cold winters [4]. At approximately 3,350 meters above sea level, exemplified by the Anzob Pass, the nature of winter is harsh, with low temperatures and heavy snowstorms. The bulk of precipitation (up to 80% of the annual norm) falls during the cold period from October to May. Growing winters where the snow on the mountain slopes does not melt are quite common, especially in the lower valleys. Spring and autumn in this region are short. Summer, from July to August, is short but can be characterized by short-term drought. The average annual precipitation varies from 430 to 580 mm, while the growing season accounts for about 82.2 mm. The greatest amount of precipitation occurs in the period March-May. The soils in this region are high-mountain meadow-steppe [5]. In general, it can be emphasized that Tajikistan is a typical mountainous country, with altitudes from 300 m to 6000 m - 7000 m above sea level. m. The climate regime of Tajikistan is Mediterranean, i.e. has a clear heterorhythmicity of precipitation with prevailing mild winters, which allows plants in the foothills to grow in winter.

The Siyohkuh tract is located 73 km (from the city of Dushanbe) at an altitude of 2325 m above sea level of the Anzob pass on the southern slope of the Gissar ridge. Its geographical coordinates are: 39°C latitude, 68°C longitude, annual precipitation 235 mm, average annual temperature 3.7°C, average July temperature 16°C, while the absolute maximum temperature in July is 36°C, and its index is 52.2 Р\Т+10. The geographical location of the area, mountain ranges and other climatic factors make up its special ecological situation. Previously, well-known sources [6] indicated that relative air humidity, precipitation and temperature in this area constantly fluctuates both throughout the day and throughout the year. It has been shown that the lowest temperature occurs in January–February and on some days reaches from -22°C to -24°C. Only in April does the average monthly air temperature become positive, although frosts are sometimes observed in May down to -5°C. At the same time, it should be noted that the vegetation of this area consists of mesophilic and hemixerophilic mesothermal grasses. In 2017-2018 and 2021-2022, as a result of several botanical routes, an effective study of two species of the genus Inula L was carried out. Their distribution area and phytocynotic characteristics of these species were studied.

Research Results

To analyze these materials on the influence of external environmental factors (temperature, precipitation), we used information from data obtained from the Maikhura weather stations (Tables 1 and 2). In 2017-2018 and 2021-2022, studies of climatic factors (average monthly temperature, lowest temperature, high temperature, average monthly precipitation) (Table 3.1.1 and 3.1.2). The region is characterized by abundant rainfall and low temperatures in January and February, with the warmest months of the year being July and August. Also, it should be noted that 2017 was drier compared to 2018 (722.3 mm per year, versus 1163.7 mm, respectively). If we calculate the average for the year from the total value, then according to the average data for the year, most of the climatic factors studied differed slightly. except for the amount of precipitation, which in 2018 was 97 mm, and in 2017 it was 60.2 mm, which is 36.8 mm more. Of greater interest was the influence of temperature conditions (Table 3.1.2) in various areas during the study and study of Inula L. species, starting from May to September 2021 and 2022.

The range of variability over a 5-month period of temperature measurements showed that it ranges from 12°-13°C from May to 20-21°C and 18°C, respectively. At the same time, the average number for 5 months of the growing season differed absolutely insignificantly in temperature (17°C in 2021 versus 16.5°C in 2018). Thus, an analysis of the climatic factors of a given area shows that in terms of geographic and ecological nature they differ in individual months of the year, and according to the calculation of the average annual characteristics during the study, they differ slightly. The greatest differences are found in the amount of precipitation during the annual season. The vegetation of this area consists of mesophilic and hemi-xerophilic mesothermic grasses. The lower limit of its distribution is at an altitude of 1800-2000 m above sea level; individual groups of other frost-resistant plants rise to an altitude of 3250 m above sea level.

The Results discussion

At the end of this section, it should be noted that the above description of ecological and climatic conditions generally covers the region of our research on the distribution area of some species of the genus Inula, where we have schematically drawn up 4 botanical expedition routes (Figure 1). Further, in the relevant sections of the resereth, these routes will be described in detail.

Semiganj Section

The site is located east of Dushanbe, on the southern slope of the Gissar ridge, at a distance of 35 km from the city. This gorge is more than 21 km long, starting from the fork in the main road between Dushanbe and Romit and heading from south to north. It is especially worth noting that the first 10 km of this gorge is a populated area, which includes 6 settlements. This site is subject to significant anthropogenic pressure due to the presence of housing and human activities. At the 16th kilometer, the gorge splits into two small ones: Chapdara and Rostdara. The length of the first is about 5 km, and the second is approximately 5.5-6 km. The priority areas for the development of farms are gardening, rain-fed farming, cattle breeding and, in the future, beekeeping. The population is mainly Tajiks [7]. The relief of the gorge is characterized by a complex landscape structure, manifested in the dissected terrain and significant changes in absolute heights from north to south. These changes range from 4000 to 4500 meters in the north in the northern part of the gorge and decrease to 800- 850 meters in its southern part. The orographic relief of this area has a high level of diversity. The lowest point is 800 meters above sea level, while the highest altitude is 4500 meters. The area is represented by various types of relief: mountains, ridges, saddles and midlands.

a) Climate. Compared to the climate of other mountainous regions, it is drier and colder. Summers here are less hot, winters are more severe and longer, and autumn and spring periods are shortened. The average annual temperature ranges from 10 degrees in the warm zone at an altitude of 1800 m and up to 8 degrees at an altitude of 3000 m. The arid zone here reaches an altitude from 1350 m to 1700 m - semi-arid, from 1700 m to 2050 m - semi-humid, up to 3000 m - humid. Soil drought occurs in the first half of August.

Shirkent Section

The Shirkent site is located in the Shirkent River basin, on the southern slopes of the Gissar ridge. Its boundaries are mainly determined by natural factors: from the north the site is limited by the Mechetli (Kolirga) ridge, from the west and east - by watersheds with the Obizarang and Karatag rivers; in the south the border passes near the village of Shirkent. In the north of the site there is an area called Pashmi Kitchen, and on the southern border is the village of Kyrgyzkishlak. The natural conditions of the Shirkent Valley are in many ways characteristic of the southern slopes of the Gissar ridge. The local population is mainly engaged in agriculture, gardening, cattle breeding and vegetable growing. An important area of development is beekeeping. The villages in the area are predominantly inhabited by Tajiks, and partly by Uzbeks [8].
a) Relief: The geology and orography of the site is characterized by strong dissection and a difference in absolute heights from 4000-4500 m in the north to 800-1000 m in the south. Minimum altitude – 850 m above sea level. The maximum height is 2500 m. The orography of the area is highly developed. The following types of relief are presented: mountains; ridges; saddles; middle mountains.
b) Climate: Compared to the climate of other areas, the climate here is drier and colder. Summers are less hot, winters are harsher and longer, and autumn and spring periods are shortened. The average annual temperature ranges from 11 degrees in the warm zone, at an altitude of 1800 m, to 8 degrees at an altitude of 3000 m. Precipitation occurs in the first half of August or September. The arid zone here reaches an altitude of 1350 m, from 1350 m to 1700 m it is semi-arid, from 1700 m to 2050 m it is semi-humid, and up to 3000 m it is humid. The soils of the study area are light brown mountainous. Mountain light brown soils are widespread in low mountains and mid-mountains and are confined to moderate and moderately cold conditions at altitudes of 1600 to 2600 (2800) m above sea level.
c) Vegetation: Three types of vegetation cover are common in this area: temperate forests, forests adapted to dry conditions, and zones of transition from forests to steppes (this includes almond trees, hackberry trees, regeloklenniks, hawthorns and shulyashc); zones of transition from forests to steppes (including southern forests, barley forests, kamolniks and anduzniks); as well as an area with more sparse forest cover (hazel and maple forests). Among the diverse vegetation, there are over 80 species of useful plants, such as anzur onion, cumin, Suvorov onion, sumac, violet ferula and others.

Kondara Section

The Kondara Gorge is located north of the city of Dushanbe and is located in the central part of the southern slope of the Gissar ridge. Its initial height at the entrance to the gorge is 900-1200 meters above sea level. The relief of this area is mountainous. The lowest altitude is 1400 meters above sea level, and the maximum is 2500 meters. The orography of the region is varied and includes mountains, ridges, saddles, plateaus and highland plains (highlands). The climate of the region is characterized by warmth and dryness. In the Kondara Gorge, the average annual precipitation is 800-1400 mm, and precipitation is uneven throughout the year. The greatest amount of precipitation falls in spring. The average annual temperature is +14°C, with a maximum temperature of +42°C and a minimum of -21°C. Winters are moderate and mild. In December-February, 200-240 mm of precipitation falls, in March- May - 360-400 mm, and in the summer months (June-August) - up to 40-60 mm. The coldest month is January, with temperatures down to -7°-8°C. In August there is almost no precipitation.

The soil in this area is represented by mountainous light brown soils. They are characteristic of low and medium mountainous regions and correspond to moderate and moderately cold conditions at altitudes from 1600 to 2600 meters above sea level. The soils have a sandy-stony mechanical composition. The carbonate horizon is usually located at a depth of 20 to 120 cm. The humus content varies from 3% to 10%. The soil reaction is slightly alkaline. In some places there is wind and rain erosion of the soil. Regarding vegetation, the gorge is represented by semi-savanna, xerophilic and mesophilic forests, as well as meadows. There are xerophilous forests with almond hackberry, regeloklenov and shulyash, black with hazel, maple, exochordniks and rose gardens, as well as semi-savannas with juganic, barley and ferul forests.

Ziddi and Anzob section

The site is located on the southern slope of the Gissar ridge in the upper reaches of the Varzob River basin. This is a mountainous and partly highland area. The ecological condition of the site is satisfactory. Grazing and collection of useful plants are observed.
a) Relief: This area belongs to the mountainous type of relief. The minimum altitude in this area is 1500 meters above sea level, and the maximum is 3000 meters. The relief of the region is characterized by high orography. In this area, various landforms can be distinguished, such as mountains, ridges and saddles.

The climate of this area is characterized by cold winters and cool summers. Spring here is cool and rainy, with maximum temperatures not exceeding 27°C. Frosts usually begin in October, and snow cover begins in late November or early December and lasts until the end of March. Winters are characterized by numerous snowfalls, and the depth of the snow cover can reach 1-1.5 meters. The minimum air temperature in winter can drop to –6°С–18°C below zero. June in the area is characterized by a rainless period, and precipitation usually returns in November. The autumn rainy period is usually short. The total annual precipitation exceeds 800-1200 mm. The minimum average annual temperature is –1.6°C, and the maximum is 13.5°C. The soils of this area are varied and include mountain brown soils, as well as fragments of meadow-steppe soils. The arable layer has a weakly defined structure. The soils here can be rocky and gravelly, and in the lower parts of river valleys – sandy. The humus layer in some places can reach 30-50 cm, which indicates a high content of organic substances. However, intensive use of the soil has led to its deterioration. The vegetation cover is mainly represented by semi-savannah ecosystems, such as barley, jugan and ferul forests. There are also fragments of mesophilic forests with maple forests and rose gardens, tall grass communities with juniper and black grass, meadows, as well as areas of juniper forests and steppes [9-15].

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