Cooperation between various branches of science is required to understand how to use natural resources more efficiently and with no harm to ecosystems, believes Tajik biologist Rustam Muratov.
Rustam Muratov is an internationally known biologist and ornithologist from Tajikistan, head of the Department of Terrestrial Vertebrates at the E.N. Pavlovsky Institute of Zoology and Parasitology of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan.
CABAR.asia: Rustam Muratov, what is biodiversity and how important is it?
Rustam Muratov: Biodiversity is the variety of life forms on Earth. That is, this is life that surrounds us: plants, animals, microorganisms, bacteria, and viruses – all living things on planet Earth. Humans are essentially a part of biodiversity.
Economic development and human activities often lead to environmental problems. How can we prevent or at least reduce the destructive impact of humans on the environment?
Now, the main environmental problems are pollution and biodiversity loss.
In one of his speeches, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that an annual average increase of 1.5°C of warming brings us closer to the abyss, increases systemic risks, and reduces our resilience to climate disaster. He stressed that as a result of climate change, extreme weather, climate, and hydrological events are becoming more frequent and intense in many parts of the world, and all this could result in our planet becoming uninhabitable. He also noted that about one and a half hundred species of living organisms disappear annually.
Will the creation of protected areas help to effectively preserve nature?
It is possible. In Europe, they had an idea for rich and economically developed countries to create a fund that would ensure the preservation of natural areas in poor countries. Thus, approximately 20% of the territories would be protected by the international community.
For example, certain sites are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. These are the sites or areas that are legally protected under an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). These objects are of great cultural, historical, scientific, or natural significance.
These sites are defined as “natural heritage around the world that is considered to be of outstanding value to humanity”.
In Tajikistan, there are two specially protected natural areas included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The first one is the Tajik National Park established in 1992 to ensure the stability of the natural biodiversity, protection and conservation of rare flora and fauna, specific natural ecosystems, natural and historical monuments, biological monitoring, and the implementation of research, analysis, and assessment of processes affecting natural ecosystems.
The other is the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve. In September 2023, the Tugay forests of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve were included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Tajikistan ranks first in Central Asia in terms of the percentage of natural areas. More than 20% of the country’s territory is protected areas.
However, another question arises: how are the reservation conditions observed? We need to pay special attention to this. Often, there are not enough funds to protect natural areas. The funds allocated from the state budget are insufficient and the management of nature reserves and protected areas should seek financial support from international organisations.
The grant funds should be allocated for maintenance, restoration, solving various environmental problems, etc. Using the example of the Tajik National Park and Tigrovaya Balka, I can state that these territories are a reserve for the conservation and restoration of some species of animals that live there.
The Tajik National Park territory, for example, is a breeding ground for Marco Polo sheep (Pamir argali). These animals continue to spread throughout the Pamirs from this territory. The same applies to Tigrovaya Balka Reserve. In the 1990s, the Tajik pheasant practically disappeared in these areas. After the Soviet Union collapsed, cotton fields were no longer fertilised with chemicals and pesticides, and the Tajik pheasant began to spread over large areas. This also applies to other animal species.
According to scientists, Tajikistan is distinguished by species diversity. What is this?
The nature of Tajikistan is unique. This territory with absolute heights from 300 to 7.5 thousand meters above sea level has the entire set of natural landscapes found in Central Asia: deserts, semi-deserts, tugay forests, steppe and foothill vegetation zones, highlands, and nival zone. The Pamir mountains surrounded on four sides by high ridges have a unique position.
Each natural zone has its own set of flora and fauna species, its own endemics. Tajikistan was the last habitat of the Caspian tiger. The development of territories bordering with Tigrovaya Balka was one of the reasons for its extinction. Currently, although it is rare, you can see leopard, Bactrian deer, urial, and goitered gazelle here.
Marco Polo sheep, Tibetan sandgrouse, bar-headed goose, snow pigeon – all these species are found only in the Pamirs. In other territories, they do not exist. There are endemics, both among vegetation and animals. Every year, scientists from around the world come to us and study new species. For example, this year, Professor Anatolij Barkalov described two new species of previously unknown flies. Another scientist, Professor Roman Yakovlev, described two new species of moths.
What is the reason for the extinction of certain species of large and small vertebrates in our country?
As I mentioned previously, this is, first of all, human activity that destroys their habitat, areas, and sources of food. For example, the hunting for the Caspian tiger and the reduction of its food sources (wild boars and deer) led to the extinction of this animal. According to our research, 74 goats are needed per year for a snow leopard to live normally. This excludes argali, hares, snowcocks, and others. This is a guarantee of its preservation. Certain numbers can also be calculated for other animals.
What species of flora and fauna require urgent measures for their preservation in our country?
Considering birds, as an ornithologist, I can say that urgent measures are required to preserve Chlamydotis (bustard). The territories adjacent to the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve are developed for more than twenty years; the Kashka-Kum desert areas were transferred for development to a Tajik-Chinese company, and this was the reason for the disappearance of this species. Over the past 2-3 years, nesting of only 2-3 breeding pairs of this species has been recorded there. There is evidence of the nesting of two pairs in the Asht district of Sughd region. These birds are disappearing before our eyes. Urgent measures are required.
Along with this, the leopard is on the verge of extinction, just like the Caspian tiger once was. I am collecting data about the leopard. Last February, it was spotted by rangers on the territory of Tigrovaya Balka. According to experts, that was a male tiger patrolling its territory. Its territory may cover southern Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and northern Afghanistan, and the female tiger and cubs most likely live in this territory.
Is there any research being conducted into linking declines in certain species of flora and fauna to changes in habitat or climate change in general?
Yes, constantly. Scientists monitor the number of flora and fauna species and provide recommendations based on specific data and facts. For example, this year the European turtle dove was included in the Red Data Book. If we see a reduction in the number of a particular species, the state must be informed about this to prevent their extinction and minimise risks.
You are the author of one of the sections of the updated Red Data Book of Tajikistan. Could you please tell us more about the work being done in this direction? How important is this for biodiversity conservation?
According to the current legislation, the Red Data Book must be updated every 10 years taking into account the introduction of new species of flora and fauna of Tajikistan or the exclusion of extinct species.
The Red Data Book of Tajikistan summarises all available information about the status, distribution, condition of the group, and changes in the number of rare animals and plants.
The publication of the Red Data Book itself does not guarantee the protection of a particular species. This requires focused and joint work of the Committee for Environmental Protection, the Forestry Agency, the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, the media, and every citizen of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Let us return to the issue of biodiversity loss. What are the consequences of flora biodiversity loss for Tajikistan?
Recently, I had a conversation with the Vice-President of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Doctor of Biological Sciences Abdusattor Saidov. We spoke about overgrasing of livestock that continues in the country. This destroys vegetation in mountain and foothill areas. Plant seeds are carried on animals’ fur and start growing in the soil. One plant species is replaced by another.
Thus, there are more thorns in these areas now. This is how pastures and their flora are destroyed. Accordingly, more and more new pastures are needed. The current situation can lead to very negative consequences. During Soviet times, there was a state design institute for land management ‘Giprozem’, which included a special expedition group that studied the influence of farm animals on pastures. Unfortunately, this is not the case now.
The negative consequences of the destruction of vegetation on mountain slopes include the increase in the number of mudflows, landslides, and rubble after earthquakes. I think there is a need to establish cooperation between various branches of science, and only through this cooperation, we will be able to understand how to use natural resources more efficiently and with no harm to ecosystems.
As an ornithologist, please tell us what negative impact can disruption of biodiversity have on avifauna?
Each natural area contains certain types of flora and fauna. For example, if one species disappears, a certain type of harmful insect is no longer hunted for. These harmful insects reproduce themselves and can cause harm not only to animals but to the entire ecosystem. Using birds as an example, I can say that this is a perfect indicator. A human does not see certain changes. Birds, sensing a certain problem, instantly change their habitat to a safer and more comfortable one.
A ‘2024 Bird of the Year’ is the European turtle dove. About 20-25 years ago, it was a common breeding species throughout Tajikistan except the Pamirs. I saw flocks of these doves during autumn when the cereals are harvested, they sat on the wires, which tore due to their large number. This is not the case now. This means that changes occurred and these birds disappeared.
Last year, we went on an expedition and found no more than 4-6 birds on the territory of Tigrovaya Balka. We assume that the Eurasian collared dove, which came from the north (the territory of Kazakhstan) in the early 1980s and gradually populated most of Tajikistan, could displace the turtle dove from this territory. However, this is only an assumption; there is no scientific evidence for this yet.
Over the past 10 years, the ‘Birds of the Year’ were the chukar, eagle owl, European roller, Tajik pheasant, white stork, paradise flycatcher, Tibetan snowcock, hoopoe, Barbary falcon, barn swallow, and golden eagle.
In fact, the annual ‘Bird of the Year’ competition held in many countries of the world, including Tajikistan, is aimed at informing and, above all, conveying a certain message to the state and the public on the conservation of rare and endangered bird species. Besides this, what contribution can the state and society make to the conservation of the biodiversity of Tajikistan?
In his message to the Parliament in December 2023, President Emomali Rahmon pointed out the need to take urgent and effective measures to improve the unfavorable situation of the environment and prevent its further destruction, first of all, through a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, landscape gardening, rational use of water resources to save nature and humanity.
Now, the measures taken by the state, I believe, are sufficient in terms of creating specially protected natural areas, parks, reserves, and wildlife areas. However, to preserve certain species, not only protective but also effective measures are necessary.
For example, it could be the creation of sanctuaries for rare species of animals and birds. There is a need to ensure their breeding in sanctuaries and their further release into the wild. Now, the work is underway with the Tajik pheasant, there are sanctuaries in Dangara and Tigrovaya Balka. There is a sanctuary for the Severtzovi argali in Panjakent, and several sanctuaries for urial in the south of Tajikistan. These are the right actions to conserve these species in the case of force majeure.
About ten years ago, pulmonary pneumonia was diagnosed in markhor and 25-30% of this species died. I support the idea of creating more sanctuaries to preserve the genetic pool of various species of fauna. The state is doing this because rare species of animals need protection.
Now, the price of hunting for one male markhor, which does not participate in the reproduction process, reaches $200 thousand. This amount can fully cover the annual budget of the Institute of Zoology and Parasitology of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan.
In recent years, in large cities, in Dushanbe in particular, sparrows disappeared, but the number of mynas increased. What is the reason for this and how critical is the situation with the urban avifauna?
In Dushanbe, my colleagues and I identified several ecological zones, and some of them have a fairly high diversity of birds. The first zone includes parks, public gardens, and cemeteries around Dushanbe. The second is wetlands, rivers, artificial lakes, sewage treatment plants, streams, and canals. These two zones are most attractive to birds.
Industrial and residential areas are not common habitat for birds and they are forced to adapt. Most birds were unable to adapt. Previously, more than three hundred species of birds lived here but now, there are just over 170 species. Indeed, there are fewer sparrows.
The Indian, or common, myna is a very dynamic species; they appeared in Dushanbe in the 1950s-1960s. They adapted very well to almost all biotopes and to living near residential buildings where they could find food. It is more difficult with sparrows; if the myna is practically omnivorous, the sparrows are not.
They are herbivorous birds and during the period of nursing their nestlings, they feed them exclusively with insects, of which there are fewer and fewer in Dushanbe. If you noticed, there are fewer and fewer gnats and moths around street lamps; they are food for sparrows.
The second factor is buildings construction. Myna, for example, builds nests higher than a four-story building. Sparrows prefer to build nests under the roofs of 1-2-story buildings. Dushanbe is being built up with high-rise buildings. These two factors cause a reduction in the number of sparrows. In the spring-summer period, when they reproduce, they disappear, and appear in the city in the autumn-winter period. Rock doves also adapted to living in the capital; for them, the high-rise buildings are not an obstacle.
In late autumn and winter in Dushanbe, many crows appear on tall plane trees in gardens and parks. They cause certain inconveniences not only to residents but to public utilities; they make noise, throw garbage around, and make a mess. Has it always been like this? Is there any solution to this problem?
Let us talk about rooks, jackdaws, and hooded crows wintering here in Dushanbe. They fly out early in the morning to feed in the suburbs of the capital and fly into the city at night choosing areas with tall trees, where they spend the night and, of course, make a mess. These are, for example, a shady alley along Rudaki Street, a park next to the Opera and Ballet Theater, a park next to the Lokomotiv stadium, a botanical garden, and other places. Indeed, the sanitary and epidemiological situation in these areas is critical. If you notice, they do not stay on trees lower than 10-12 meters. If you trim trees at this height or plant other types of trees that would grow wider and provide more shade, these birds will not fly to the city. For example, on Karabaev Street there was the same situation and after the trees were trimmed, the birds left this place, the situation changed for the better.
This year, more than three dozen cases of dust storms were observed in Tajikistan and neighbouring countries. Is this related to climate change?
To begin with, I will talk about an example of the impact of dust storms. In 2010, I brought pheasant eggs from Russia for further incubation in a sanctuary in Khatlon region. At the beginning of August, there was a dust storm, the birds looked like they were sick, stopped eating, and died. The veterinarian, having examined them, said they were fine but because of the dust storm, they stopped moving around. We began humidifying the air and gradually made them move but most of the birds died. Dust storms, of course, affect flora and fauna. The tree leaves become covered with dust, photosynthesis is reduced, and the tree gets sick.
Experts are unanimous that the increase in dust storms is primarily due to a decrease in precipitation due to climate change. Along with this, there is large-scale degradation of irrigated lands caused by ineffective management of land and water resources, which leads to desertification. I think the vegetation is reduced or completely disappeared in certain areas mainly for these reasons and due to the resulting drought and desertification, the wind raises salt, dust, and sand into the atmosphere.