A long-term study on the desiccated sea floor – the Aralkum – as a new desert
(Fig. 25) revealed the primary succession (Breckle 2013; Breckle et al. 2012;
Wucherer and Breckle 2001, 2012; Groeneveld et al. 2012). This succession often
is called mankind’s biggest succession experiment. The large new flat area – the
desiccated sea floor – was invaded from the surroundings by diaspores. Depending
on the substrate (older areas are sandy; younger areas are clayey and more saline),
the succession was very dynamic, with species composition greatly varying from
year to year. A general scheme for loamy soils is given in Fig. 27, indicating the
Fig. 25 Aral Sea area: geographical situation and extent of the Aralkum from 1960 to 1990
and 2015
26
S.-W. Breckle
(Fig. 25) revealed the primary succession (Breckle 2013; Breckle et al. 2012;
Wucherer and Breckle 2001, 2012; Groeneveld et al. 2012). This succession often
is called mankind’s biggest succession experiment. The large new flat area – the
desiccated sea floor – was invaded from the surroundings by diaspores. Depending
on the substrate (older areas are sandy; younger areas are clayey and more saline),
the succession was very dynamic, with species composition greatly varying from
year to year. A general scheme for loamy soils is given in Fig. 27, indicating the
Fig. 25 Aral Sea area: geographical situation and extent of the Aralkum from 1960 to 1990
and 2015
26
S.-W. Breckle