Vital Caspian Graphics - Challenges Beyond Caviar

Climate change

across Europe including the Volga basin, as well as rainfall over the Caspian basin.

21

The Caspian Sea region is climatically diverse en- compassing the basins of the Volga and Ural rivers in the North, the vast semi-arid and hot arid plains of northern Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in the east, and the humid Caucasus and Elburz moun- tains in the south-west. The Caspian Sea plays an important role in atmospheric processes, regional water balance and microclimate. Climatic phenomena in the Caspian are linked to the Northern Atlantic Oscillation (fluctuations in atmospheric air pressure). These variations af- fect temperatures, moisture and winter storms all

Several severe droughts have affected various parts of the region in recent years. They seem to confirm scientific models, which, in addition to higher mean temperatures, generally predict more extreme weather events. Droughts affect both crop production and the health of livestock. For exam- ple, the economically important Karakul sheep of Turkmenistan, which are raised for wool produc- tion, are sensitive to heat stress. In addition to the loss of agricultural productivity, droughts can increase the frequency and severity of fires, which may destroy grassland and crops.

��n�����������e������������������������������T���S�����

��� ��� ��� ���� �� �� ���� ���¢�

�� �8� ��� ��� ��� 8�� ����� ��������

N�������������n���������)¢�*

N�������������������������)n����n�����*

������������0E�X�0HSJE.��������H������������