BIOECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE AND PHYTOMELIORATIVE POTENTIAL OF THE EPHEDRA PLANT (EPHEDRA L.) IN ENSURING ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY IN THE ARAL SEA REGION

Abstract

The article analyses the role of Ephedra L. in ensuring the ecological sustainability of the Aral Sea region, revealing its adaptation to extreme desert conditions and its phytomeliorative importance in fixing sands. The bioecological features of the ephedra species of the region, mainly Ephedra distachya and Ephedra intermedia, were studied: vegetation period, root system development and heat resistance. As a xerophyte with a strong root system and reduced leaves, ephedra protects sandy and light soils from erosion, has very low transpiration and grows well on saline, nutrient-poor soils; in planted areas the movement of shifting sands decreases noticeably. Ephedra distachya is a small shrub 20-40 cm high, while Ephedra intermedia reaches 1 m and occurs on the Ustyurt plateau and in the Kyzylkum desert. The results provide a basis for creating green cover on the dried Aral seabed.