Scientific Foundations for Biodiversity-Based Watershed Management
Termez State University contributes to the sustainable management of the Surkhandarya watershed through scientific research, the identification and geographical assessment of aquatic species, biodiversity conservation recommendations and cooperation with regional environmental authorities. The university's approach recognises that freshwater ecosystems differ considerably in their hydrological conditions, species composition, ecological sensitivity and patterns of human use. Protecting these environments therefore requires scientific information about the organisms present in particular rivers and river sections, rather than relying exclusively on general water-conservation measures. Through the Faculty of Natural Sciences, particularly the Department of Zoology, the university investigates freshwater fish populations, their distribution, habitat requirements and conservation status across the region's interconnected aquatic environments.
The Surkhandarya watershed forms part of the wider Amu Darya river basin and encompasses mountain streams, river channels, reservoirs and irrigation-dependent landscapes. These environments support fish populations with different ecological requirements and varying levels of vulnerability to habitat disturbance, water abstraction and pollution. The university's research addresses these differences by examining the composition and geographical distribution of freshwater fauna and identifying species requiring additional conservation attention. Scientific findings are used to develop recommendations for biodiversity inventories, species protection and the sustainable management of aquatic biological resources. The university's contribution is particularly relevant to the integration of species-specific ecological information into environmental management systems operated by the competent national authorities.
Location-Specific Assessment of Fish Diversity in the Surkhandarya Watershed
A significant scientific foundation for this work is the doctoral research undertaken by Sirojiddin Kamolovich Allayarov, a researcher associated with the university's Department of Zoology, on the fish fauna of Surkhandarya's water bodies. The investigation examined the taxonomic composition, geographical distribution and ecological characteristics of freshwater fish, with particular attention to rare, endemic and threatened species. Its findings identified 37 fish species belonging to 34 genera, 15 families and seven orders, establishing a regional inventory of aquatic vertebrate diversity. The research was not limited to producing a general species list; it also investigated differences in distribution across the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Surkhandarya river system, recognising that fish occupy different habitats according to their environmental adaptations.
This geographical distinction is important for watershed management because river sections do not necessarily support identical biological communities. Flow conditions, water temperature, substrate characteristics, habitat connectivity and environmental pressures may differ between mountainous headwaters, middle reaches and lower river environments. The university's research established that fish populations in the Surkhandarya watershed exhibit distribution patterns associated with these ecological differences. These findings provide a basis for considering habitat requirements and conservation priorities at the level of individual river sections. The corresponding scientific work also examined the ecological characteristics of endemic fish species through length–weight relationships, generating information relevant to population assessment and biological monitoring.
Research on regional fish diversity has included the Surkhan, Qoratog, To‘palang, Sangardak and Xo‘jaipok river systems, providing a geographical foundation for examining biodiversity across multiple freshwater environments. The resulting scientific information supports more precise assessment of species distributions and the identification of habitats that may require additional protection. The university's work also draws attention to the importance of maintaining connections between water-resource management and biological conservation, particularly where changes in flow, pollution or fishing pressure could affect the survival of locally important species.
Identification of Rare and Endemic Species through Molecular Research
The university's watershed biodiversity investigations incorporate modern taxonomic and molecular methods to improve the accuracy of species identification. This is particularly relevant where fish species have similar physical characteristics but different geographical distributions or conservation requirements. Allayarov's research identified Gobio sibiricus in the Surkhandarya water bodies and used molecular-genetic analysis to establish its taxonomic identity. The corresponding genetic sequence was deposited in the international GenBank database under accession number MN810110, enabling researchers to access the sequence for further identification and comparative scientific analysis.
The investigation also clarified the identity of a regional fish population previously associated with Alburnoides bipunctatus eichwaldii, establishing through molecular analysis its correspondence to Alburnoides holciki. Related investigations examined the taxonomic validity of the genus Capoetobrama and contributed further information about the biological characteristics of fish occurring within the watershed. Accurate identification is important because the recognition of distinct species can affect biodiversity inventories, conservation assessments and the interpretation of historical monitoring records. The university's genetic and morphological investigations therefore strengthen the scientific foundation for identifying aquatic species and understanding their location-specific conservation requirements.
The research also supported the preservation of reference material for future scientific investigations. A total of 87 specimens representing 14 fish species were incorporated into the scientific zoological collection of the Institute of Zoology of the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences. This transfer was documented through an official institutional reference dated 8 May 2023. Such collections provide verified specimens for taxonomic comparison, the examination of regional species diversity and the assessment of changes in biological composition over time. Their scientific value extends beyond a single research project because they help maintain reference information that can support subsequent biodiversity investigations.
Practical Application through the National Species Cadastre and Geographic Information Systems
The most important practical outcome of the university's watershed biodiversity research is the application of its recommendations within Uzbekistan's environmental information system. Based on the scientific findings concerning the distribution of fish species in Surkhandarya's water bodies, recommendations were developed for the preparation and maintenance of a regional fish-species cadastre. The recommendations addressed commercially important fish, rare species and aquatic organisms facing potential threats to their continued survival. They were designed to support the documentation of species distributions, the identification of habitats requiring protection and the organisation of measures for sustainable biological-resource management.
The recommendations were incorporated into the work of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change's department responsible for information technologies and cadastre management, as documented by the ministry's official reference No. 03-03/3-3952, dated 18 August 2023. This implementation created a basis for entering fish-cadastre information into geographic information systems and using location-specific biodiversity data in environmental management. It also supported the identification of conservation requirements for rare and endangered fish, including the protection of habitats, reproduction and responsible use of aquatic biological resources.
This application establishes a direct connection between university research and the management of freshwater biodiversity beyond the academic environment. Geographic information systems allow species records to be associated with particular locations, supporting more informed assessments of where vulnerable populations occur and where environmental protection efforts may be necessary. The university's contribution concerns the scientific data and recommendations incorporated into the national system; regulatory control of the watershed, approval of conservation restrictions and implementation of fisheries rules remain the responsibilities of the competent public authorities. The university's research nevertheless provides an operationally relevant scientific resource for the management of location-specific aquatic biodiversity.
Research and Management Considerations for Reservoir Environments
The university's geographical and environmental research also addresses reservoir ecosystems, where hydrological conditions and human activities create pressures different from those affecting flowing rivers. During 2025, university researchers examined the environmental characteristics of the Southern Surkhan Reservoir, including its hydrological conditions, role in agricultural water supply and geoecological processes affecting the surrounding environment. The investigation considered the relationship between water-resource use and changes in environmental conditions, providing recommendations aimed at reducing adverse ecological effects. This work complements the university's fish-distribution studies by examining a freshwater environment in which water storage, seasonal fluctuations and resource management are important considerations.
The inclusion of river and reservoir environments within the university's research activities supports a geographically differentiated understanding of freshwater management. The fish-fauna research provides information about species composition and distribution, while hydrological and geographical investigations address environmental conditions that may influence aquatic habitats. Taken together, these areas of research provide scientific inputs for developing more detailed management approaches to individual water bodies. However, an environmental assessment of a reservoir does not by itself establish that a species-specific management regime has been implemented at that site. The university's documented contribution is the development of scientific evidence and recommendations that can inform such decisions.
Cooperation with Water-Management and Fisheries Organisations
Termez State University maintains cooperation with the Surkhandarya Regional Department of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, organisations associated with the Amu-Surkhan Basin Irrigation Systems Administration, and regional fisheries-sector representatives. These institutional relationships facilitate the exchange of knowledge concerning water resources, aquatic biodiversity, ecological monitoring and the sustainable use of freshwater biological resources. The university contributes expertise in zoology, environmental chemistry, geography and ecology, while partner organisations work directly with the environmental and resource-management challenges affecting the watershed. Such cooperation is especially important where aquatic ecosystems cross administrative boundaries and are influenced by agricultural production, fisheries activity, wastewater management and regional water distribution.
The university's Department of Zoology also provides education and professional guidance for regional fisheries enterprises. Its published programme records specialist training delivered to 62 fish-farming enterprises, covering fish breeding, juvenile fish production and aquaculture management. These activities help communicate scientific knowledge about fish biology and the environmental conditions required for responsible aquatic-resource use. Cooperation with the O‘zbekbaliqsanoat Association and regional environmental organisations extends to awareness of overfishing, illegal fishing and destructive harvesting techniques. The university's biodiversity investigations provide a scientific basis for explaining why different species and habitats may require particular conservation attention, although the reported training figure does not independently establish how many enterprises received instruction during 2025.
Water-Quality Monitoring and Prevention of Watershed Pollution
The university's broader environmental management arrangements complement its biodiversity research by addressing potential sources of aquatic pollution. Its Water Pollution Control Programme establishes procedures for preventing untreated wastewater and hazardous laboratory substances from entering soil, irrigation canals, stormwater systems and natural water bodies. Wastewater generated by university facilities is routed through established municipal collection and treatment infrastructure, while internal controls address chemical handling, drainage maintenance and pollution incidents. These measures are relevant to watershed protection because pollutants originating from developed areas can affect downstream water quality and aquatic organisms.
The university's 2025 environmental monitoring records identify six designated water-quality monitoring locations, covering campus wastewater connections, rainwater infrastructure, drinking-water distribution and an irrigation-water location at the Darband Field Training and Research Station. Its monitoring arrangements provide for monthly infrastructure inspections and quarterly laboratory testing at the principal wastewater outlet. The analytical framework includes pH, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, nutrient concentrations and selected contamination indicators. This information supports the management of the university's own environmental risks and provides practical experience in water-quality assessment. The monitoring locations are not all natural aquatic habitats, and operational wastewater monitoring is therefore distinguished from the university's research on fish populations and watershed biodiversity.
Field Research, Environmental Information and Watershed Stewardship
The Darband Field Training and Research Station provides additional infrastructure for environmental investigations under natural conditions. Academic specialists and students conduct field observations and examine water, soil and other environmental characteristics relevant to natural-resource management. These activities support the development of scientific skills in sampling, ecological observation and environmental analysis, while connecting classroom knowledge with the conditions of southern Uzbekistan's mountainous and semi-arid landscapes. The university's wider environmental programmes also address water conservation, efficient irrigation, pollution prevention and the protection of river environments through educational outreach and cooperation with local organisations.
The university's location-specific fish research, implemented cadastre recommendations, water-quality monitoring procedures and cooperation with regional stakeholders form complementary elements of a research-informed approach to watershed stewardship. The scientific evidence distinguishes aquatic habitats and species across the Surkhandarya basin, while the incorporation of species-cadastre recommendations into national environmental information systems demonstrates that university research has informed practical conservation administration. These activities provide a foundation for further integration of biodiversity information into watershed planning, including the identification of vulnerable habitats, monitoring of rare fish populations and development of conservation actions suited to individual river sections and water bodies.