Genetic Types of Deserts in Central Asia

Abstract

Factors determining desert formation e.g. substrate and wind shadows are enumerated. The authors adopt an integrated approach to desert classification; the work of the Desert institute has made progress to the goal of establishing the common factors behind the genesis of deserts in which geomorphology plays a key role. The Kopetdag piedmont plain demonstrates very well the affect of sand and water in migration flow. A clear taxonomy is adopted and related to Central Asian geography: sandy, sandy-gravel and gravel, crushed stone-gypsum, loess, clay and solonchak.