University of California, Davis/Samarkand State University
Country:
Regional Central Asia
Award Date:
1999
Award Amount:
$90,716.00
Cost Share:
$92,330.00
Other Funds:
$100,000.00
Other Partners:
National Academic Center for Agricultural Research of Kazakhstan; Institute of Ecology and Sustainable Development of Kazakhstan; Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna of Turkmenistan; Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan
This partnership developed the capacity of scientists in Central Asia to use geographic information system (GIS) technologies to measure and monitor carbon dioxide emissions that are degrading the ecosystem in the Central Asian rangelands. The partners developed regional expertise for conducting GIS modeling of C fluxes. During the first phase of the partnership, six scientists from Central Asia were trained at Utah State University and UC-Davis in English, modeling CO2 flux in the ecosystem, processing of Bowen-ratio data, GIS modeling, and scientific presentation skills. Phase two focused on regional workshops and meetings in Central Asia, providing training in agricultural development and the role of properly managed rangelands in carbon sequestration. A basic GIS lab was established in the Samarkand section of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. The partnership trained more than 25 regional professors, scientists, and technicians, and 458 students and staff from host countries. Nineteen institutions benefited from partnership activities.