Tugay

As Tugai ( sometimes Tokai, Togai, TouGai or Turau, Russian Тугай, Chinese Huyanglin ) is the typical form of vegetation of Central Asian floodplain designated, consisting of a mosaic of riparian forests ( Tugaiwald ), bushes and reeds. The riparian forests are mainly dominated by the Euphrates poplar (Populus euphratica ). Tugais include within the deserts and semi- deserts of Central Asia to the habitats with the highest species diversity to the species occurring here include pheasant, Bucharahirsch and jungle cat. Especially in the second half of the 20th century Tugais been deforested and converted the locations in irrigated agricultural areas. Not infrequently were sustained disturbance of the natural water balance and consequently drying of rivers and desertification result.

Description

Tugaiwälder are often pronounced as a gallery forest and show a sharply defined transition to the adjacent desert or semi-desert landscapes. Characteristic species is the Euphrates poplar (Populus euphratica ), particularly on rich alluvial soil forms dense stands and dominated especially in the south. Other suitable trees or shrubs more poplar species Populus pruinosa as, oil pastures as Elaeagnus Elaeagnus angustifolia or oxycarpa, willow, tamarisk ( Tamarix ramosissima mainly ), buckthorn, and salt bush ( Halimodendron halodendron ) ago. Often creepers as Clematis, and Calystegia species. In the herb layer often are cattails, reeds, Apocynum species and places Ravenna grass. Especially in the southern Amu Darya region the reeds often reaches stature heights of three meters.

On salted locations Tugais are usually pronounced as hispida Tamarix ramosissima and thickets of Tamariskenarten Tamarix. In addition, here are common salt-loving plants such as Kalidium Caspicum salt or herbs.

Occurrence

Tugaivegetation occurs along rivers and on river islands within the natural distribution of Populus euphratica. Mainly it is but used in the Aral Sea and the Tarim Basin, so the river systems of Amu Darya, Syr Darya and Tarim. A distribution area is located in the river delta of the Amu Darya. Eastwards the rich deposits into the Gobi.

Since Tugais are mainly formed by Phreatophyten - plants that derive their water needs from groundwater - they occur only in areas where the water table is no deeper than 10 m.