Part I: Hydrology of Semi-Arid Central Asia

The arid plains of Central Asia have been teeming with life thanks to the rivers cutting through them and bringing water to the parched plains when its most needed, in the hot and dry summer months. Why is it that the natural, undisturbed rivers swelled exactly during that time? How do we explain this phenomenon that has enabled for the Silk Road and unique cultural centers to emerge over the course of history and have brought riches to the communities there?

This Chapter describes the key elements of the regional hydrology of semi-arid Central Asia that will help to understand this coincidence of nature. Leaving the large scale perspective, 2 example river basins are discussed in greater detail with a special focus on the runoff generation mechanisms there.

Apart from looking at past data for explanation, a forward view will also be taken to discuss the recent and anticipated future hydrological changes. It will be highlighted how our current understanding of these changes will impact societies and the environment alike.