ABSTRACT
The Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan are sometimes called a mountain knot, because mountain chains from various directions meet. The various regions of the Pamir differ considerably. The eastern Pamir is a dry, arid, desert plateau, whereas other areas of the Pamir are strongly dissected and exhibit higher rainfalls. The vegetation cover in the east Pamir is very low; in the west Pamir, north Pamir, and Pamir-Alai, vegetation is more diverse and dense. Desertification, mainly by deforestation, overgrazing, and intensive gathering, is the main environmental impact in the Pamirs. Most of the areas need a strong restoration management system and require investment and much time for restoration. Improper land use by grazing, clearing, gathering, and overuse of soils, in combination with the dry climate of the Pamir, leads to the destruction of the vegetation, reduction of the vegetation cover, change of species composition, loss of biological diversity and productivity, and erosion of soil.
