The Aral Sea Basin: Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop “Critical Scientific Issues of the Aral Sea Basin: State of Knowledge and Future Research Needs”, Held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, May 2-5, 1994

The Aral Sea basin, located in the central Asian part of the former Soviet Union, is undergoing dramaticallly rapid and intense environmental change. Pervasive human misuse and overuse of its water, land and other critical natural resources have led to severe degredation of key ecological systems. This work analyzes the environmental, human and economic problems that have arisen and presents recommendations for future research need. The primary focus is on the drying of the Aral Sea, but related issues of diminished river flow, land and water pollution, and degredation, ecosystem deterioration and adverse effects on humans are also examined.