@article{RuppertWelpSpiesetal.2020, author = {Ruppert, Daniel and Welp, Martin and Spies, Michael and Thevs, Niels}, title = {Farmers' Perceptions of Tree Shelterbelts on Agricultural Land in Rural Kyrgyzstan}, series = {Sustainabilty}, volume = {2020}, journal = {Sustainabilty}, number = {12}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2071-1050}, doi = {10.3390/su12031093}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2323}, pages = {18}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The reestablishment of agroforestry systems in Central Asia, combining crop production with protective tree shelterbelts, provides significant potential to improve farming systems. This includes increasing crop yields, additional income from timber, as well as reducing soil degradation and wind erosion. Thus, adopting shelterbelts as a form of pro-environmental behavior provides a number of socio-economic benefits, although some trade-offs need to be considered as well. This paper investigates factors that shape the perception of—and attitude towards—the establishment of tree shelterbelts by farmers in two case study regions in Kyrgyzstan. Applying a conceptual framework distinguishing between extrinsic and intrinsic factors, research methods included semi-structured interviews with farmers and local policy makers. The results show spatial differences in the perception of shelterbelts, both on the regional and on the village scale. In general, shelterbelts were negatively perceived by more than half of the farmers. The main concern raised by farmers was the shading of crops by shelterbelts, resulting in a decrease of yield. In addition, small field sizes and potential conflicts with neighbors were key concerns. Furthermore, rules set by local self-government bodies were inconsistent with the legislative framework, posing significant restrictions to the adoption of sustainable land use practices.}, language = {en} } @article{ZouDingWelpetal.2020, author = {Zou, Jie and Ding, Jianli and Welp, Martin and Huang, Shuai and Liu, Bohua}, title = {Assessing the Response of Ecosystem Water Use Efficiency to Drought During and after Drought Events across Central Asia}, series = {Sensors}, volume = {20}, journal = {Sensors}, number = {3}, publisher = {MDPI}, doi = {10.3390/s20030581}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2361}, pages = {17}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The frequency and intensity of drought are expected to increase worldwide in the future. However, it is still unclear how ecosystems respond to drought. Ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE) is an essential ecological index used to measure the global carbon-water cycles, and is defined as the carbon absorbed per unit of water lost by the ecosystem. In this study, we applied gross primary productivity (GPP), evapotranspiration (ET), land surface temperature (LST), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data to calculate the WUE and drought index (temperature vegetation dryness index (TVDI)), all of which were retrieved from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. We compared the mean WUE across different vegetation types, drought classifications, and countries. The temporal and spatial changes in WUE and drought were analyzed. The correlation between drought and WUE was calculated and compared across different vegetation types, and the differences in WUE between drought and post-drought periods were compared. The results showed that (1) ecosystems with a low (high) productivity had a high (low) WUE, and the mean ecosystem WUE of Central Asia showed vast differences across various drought levels, countries, and vegetation types. (2) The WUE in Central Asia exhibited an increasing trend from 2000 to 2014, and Central Asia experienced both drought (from 2000 to 2010) and post-drought (from 2011 to 2014) periods. (3) The WUE showed a negative correlation with drought during the drought period, and an obvious drought legacy effect was found, in which severe drought affected the ecosystem WUE over the following two years, while a positive correlation between WUE and drought was found in the post-drought period. (4) A significant increase in ecosystem WUE was found after drought, which revealed that arid ecosystems exhibit high resilience to drought stress. Our results can provide a specific reference for understanding how ecosystems will respond to climate change.}, language = {en} } @article{ShiHalikAblizetal.2020, author = {Shi, Lei and Halik, {\"U}m{\"u}t and Abliz, Abdulla and Mamat, Zulpiya and Welp, Martin}, title = {Urban Green Space Accessibility and Distribution Equity in an Arid Oasis City: Urumqi, China}, series = {Forests}, volume = {11}, journal = {Forests}, number = {6}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {1999-4907}, doi = {10.3390/f11060690}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2385}, pages = {17}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Urban green space (UGS) is crucial to the healthy development of urban residents. However, UGS that is accessible can benefit residents to an even greater degree. Based on the two-step floating catchment area model (2SFCA) and the location quotient (LQ), we analyzed the changes from 1999 to 2019 in UGS walking accessibility and equity in built-up areas of Urumqi at different administrative levels, and how UGS policy affects the improvement of accessibility. The results showed that UGS accessibility and equity are not evenly distributed at different administrative levels and UGS categories. Although the overall UGS accessibility and equity has improved with policy implementation, these changes are caused by metro-level UGS construction in urban fringe areas. The improvement in UGS accessibility at the neighborhood level in densely populated areas is neglected, which leads to a mismatch between UGS construction and population distribution. In addition, the accessibility of UGS is also limited by geographical location, population density, road distribution, and water shortage in arid metropolitan Urumqi. Our research results provide a theoretical basis for Urumqi and other cities in the optimization of UGS structure and the realization of social equity.}, language = {en} } @article{ThevsAlievEmilevaetal.2022, author = {Thevs, Niels and Aliev, Kumar and Emileva, Begayim and Yuldasheva, Dilfuza and Eshchanova, Guzal and Welp, Martin}, title = {Potential of Agroforestry to Provide Wood Resources to Central Asia}, series = {Forests}, volume = {13}, journal = {Forests}, number = {8}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {1999-4907}, doi = {10.3390/f13081193}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-3104}, pages = {14}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background: Agroforestry systems have the potential to provide timber and wood as a domestic raw material, as well as an additional source of income for rural populations. In Central Asia, tree windbreaks from mainly poplar trees have a long tradition, but were largely cut down as source for fuel wood after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. As Central Asia is a forest-poor region, restoration of tree windbreaks has the potential to provide timber and wood resources to that region. This study aimed to assess the potential of tree windbreaks to contribute to domestic timber and wood production. Methods: This study rests on a GIS-based analysis, in which tree lines (simulated by line shape files) were intersected with cropland area. The tree data to calculate timber and wood volumes stem from a dataset with 728 single trees from a relevant range of climatic conditions. Results: The potential annually available timber volumes from tree windbreaks with 500 m spacing are 2.9 million m3 for Central Asia as a whole and 1.5 million m3 for Uzbekistan alone, which is 5 times the current domestic roundwood production and imports of the country. Conclusions: tree windbreaks offer untapped potential to deliver wood resources domestically as a raw material for wood-based value chains.}, language = {en} } @article{LitschelBerendtWagneretal.2023, author = {Litschel, Johannes and Berendt, Ferr{\´e}ol and Wagner, Hanna and Heidenreich, Simon and Bauer, David and Welp, Martin and Cremer, Tobias}, title = {Key Actors' Perspectives on Agroforestry's Potential in North Eastern Germany}, series = {Land}, volume = {12}, journal = {Land}, number = {2}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2073-445X}, doi = {10.3390/land12020458}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4003}, pages = {1 -- 19}, year = {2023}, abstract = {As a land use management system, agroforestry has environmental, economic and societal benefits over conventional agriculture or forestry. Important benefits of combining tree growth with agricultural crops and/or forage production systems include higher biodiversity through more diverse habitats, the control of runoff and soil erosion, the augmentation of soil water availability, the creation of microclimates, carbon sequestration and provision of a more diverse farm economy. As the climate changes, north eastern Germany is likely to be particularly prone to severe effects from droughts and wind erosion in the future. However, the area of land under agroforestry makes up less than 2\% of the total agricultural area in Germany. Through qualitative interviews with key actors, this study analyzed the benefits of, potentials for and barriers to implementing agroforestry systems in the federal state of Brandenburg. Results showed that agroforestry systems have significant potential in relation to several benefits, particularly the mitigation of soil erosion and stabilization of microclimate regimes. Additionally, agroforestry has the potential to provide wood for energy production or material uses. Although a small but highly innovative and interlinked community exists, administrative barriers and high start-up costs currently hamper the transition from conventional agriculture to agroforestry systems.}, language = {en} } @article{MissallWelpMehtaetal.2022, author = {Missall, Siegmund and Welp, Martin and Mehta, Kedar and Degembaeva, Nadira and Akmatov, Kuban and Z{\"o}rner, Wilfried}, title = {In Search for the Optimal Forest Use Behaviour: Riparian Forest Use in Central Asia, Using the Example of Ak-Tal, Naryn, Kyrgyzstan}, series = {Forests}, volume = {13}, journal = {Forests}, number = {8}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {1999-4907}, doi = {10.3390/f13081254}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-3508}, pages = {19}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Riparian forests are rare and valuable ecosystems in Central Asia, both due to their significance for biodiversity and to their provision of vital ecosystem services to local residents. However, the actual forest use behaviour is under-researched, official figures may not be trustworthy, and the question of over-use is up in the air. This paper sets out to shed light on riparian forest use behaviour by local residents using the example of Ak-Tal Village upon the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan: Which economic use patterns do they practice (focusing on fuel wood and pasture)? Which other ecosystem services do they recognise? Is there forest over-exploitation? To answer these questions, this study builds on local knowledge, by applying the methods of focus group discussions and a household survey. Results show an extreme discrepancy between official wood consumption figures (50-60 m3 p.a.) and figures based on household wood consumption (310-404 m3 p.a.). The forest also serves as an important winter pasture over the seven months between October and April (stocking density 0.61 livestock units/ha), but payments for these ecosystem services are low, with annually 40 KGS/ha. Local residents are aware of additional material and nonmaterial ecosystem services of the riparian forest. Opinions diverge upon the question if there is forest over-exploitation, potentially because different stakeholders have different concepts of an optimal forest status. Consequently, optimal forest use behaviour can only be defined by the local users themselves, e.g., in a future stakeholder dialogue.}, language = {en} } @article{MissallAblizHaliketal.2018, author = {Missall, Siegmund and Abliz, Abdulla and Halik, {\"U}m{\"u}t and Thevs, Niels and Welp, Martin}, title = {Trading Natural Riparian Forests for Urban Shelterbelt Plantations—A Sustainability Assessment of the K{\"o}kyar Protection Forest in NW China}, series = {Water}, journal = {Water}, number = {10(3)}, issn = {2073-4441}, doi = {10.3390/w10030343}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5022}, pages = {18}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Cities at the fringe of the Taklimakan desert in NW China are prone to dust and sand storms with serious consequences for human well-being. The K{\"o}kyar Protection Forest was established in the 1980s as an ecological engineering project with the intent of protecting the city of Aksu, NW China, from these impacts. It is designed as a combination of poplar shelterbelts and orchards, irrigated by river water from the Aksu River, the main tributary of the Tarim River. Prevalent literature describes it as an afforestation project for combatting desertification with manifold positive effects for the economic, social, and environmental dimension of sustainable development. This paper sets out to challenge these claims by a sustainability assessment in which the plantation is examined from a broader perspective, embedding it to the wider context of social and environmental problems in South Xinjiang. Methods comprise evapotranspiration calculations, interviews, a socioeconomic household survey, stakeholder dialogues, and literature research. Results affirm its economic sustainability, but see a mixed record for the social sphere. From the nature conservation point of view, it has to be classified as unsustainable because its high irrigation water consumption results in the downstream desiccation and desertification of natural riparian forests along the Tarim River, causing a forest loss in the downstream area twice the size of the forest gain in the upstream area. There is a trade-off between artificial shelterbelt plantations for urban ecosystem services on the one hand side, and natural riparian forests and their biodiversity on the other hand side. The paper recommends restricting agricultural extension, and using locally adapted less water consuming agroforestry schemes to protect urban dwellers from dust stress.}, language = {en} } @incollection{RouziHalikCyffkaetal.2021, author = {Rouzi, Aihemaitijiang and Halik, {\"U}m{\"u}t and Cyffka, Bernd and Welp, Martin and Thevs, Niels and Aishan, Tayierjiang}, title = {Sustainable land-use alternatives for the Tarim Basin}, series = {Sustainable Management of River Oases along the Tarim River/China (SuMaRiO)}, booktitle = {Sustainable Management of River Oases along the Tarim River/China (SuMaRiO)}, editor = {Cyffka, Bernd and Disse, Markus and Betz, Florian}, publisher = {Schweizerbart}, isbn = {978-3-510-65432-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5382}, publisher = {Hochschule f{\"u}r nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde}, pages = {146 -- 160}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @incollection{WelpYiliminuer2021, author = {Welp, Martin and Yiliminuer,}, title = {Stakeholder management}, series = {Sustainable Management of River Oases along the Tarim River/China (SuMaRiO)}, booktitle = {Sustainable Management of River Oases along the Tarim River/China (SuMaRiO)}, editor = {Cyffka, Bernd and Disse, Markus and Betz, Florian}, publisher = {Schweizerbart}, isbn = {978-3-510-65432-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5407}, publisher = {Hochschule f{\"u}r nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde}, pages = {27 -- 32}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @article{YuChenDisseetal.2020, author = {Yu, Yang and Chen, Xi and Disse, Markus and Cyffka, Bernd and Lei, Jiaqiang and Zhang, Haiyan and Brieden, Andreas and Welp, Martin and Abuduwaili, Jilili and Li, Yaoming and Zeng, Fanjiang and Gui, Dongwei and Thevs, Niels and Ta, Zhijie and Gao, Xin and Pi, Yuanyue and Yu, Xiang and Sun, Lingxiao and Yu, Ruide}, title = {Climate change in Central Asia: Sino-German cooperative research findings}, series = {Science Bulletin}, volume = {65}, journal = {Science Bulletin}, number = {9}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {2095-9273}, doi = {10.1016/j.scib.2020.02.008}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5419}, pages = {689 -- 692}, year = {2020}, language = {en} }