The Central Asian ergs: A study by remote sensing and geographic information systems

Ergs are large, relatively flat areas of deserts covered by wind-swept sand and with varying degrees of vegetation cover. The ergs of Central Asia extend from Turkmenistan to the Syr-Darya River in Kazakhstan. They are crossed by the Amu-Darya River, to the north and south of which lie Kyzyl-Kum and Kara-Kum, respectively. This research focuses on identifying and mapping the ergs of Central Asia and analyzing the climate factors that set the dunes in motion and that later stabilize them. The vast area encompassed by the Central Asian ergs and their inaccessibility make traditional mapping methods virtually impossible. A variety of spaceborne imagery with varying spectral and spatial resolutions was used. These images provided the basis for mapping sand distribution, dune forms, and vegetation cover. Wilson (1973) defined the Central Asian ergs as active based on precipitation. Our results, in contrast, show that these ergs are mostly stabilized, with the estimated sand mantled area for the Kara-Kum desert ∼260,000 km2, and for the Kyzyl-Kum it is ∼195,500 km2. Meteorological analysis of wind and precipitation data indicate a low wind power environment (DP < 200) and sufficient rainfall (>100 mm) to support vegetation. The age of the sand samples was determined by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) (∼5–7 Ka), which provides insight about past climate characteristics. GIS analysis was performed in parallel with field work to obtain validation and verification.

► We mapped the Central Asian sands using remote sensing.
► The Sandy area of the Kara-Kum ∼260,000 km2, and of the Kyzyl-Kum is ∼195,500 km2.
► The wind power environment is low (DP < 200).
► Rainfall is above threshold to support vegetation (>100 mm).
► OSL ages of the sands are ∼5–7 Ka.