Das Projekt "Entwicklung von Methoden zur Rehabilitierung von den Auwäldern entlang der Flüsse und in den Deltas der Aralsee-Niederung" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Greifswald, Botanisches Institut und Botanischer Garten durchgeführt. Within the project methods for the rehabilitation of degraded riparian forests along the Syrdarya river (Kazakhstan) will be worked out. Promising shrub and tree species will be surveyed due to their suitability for afforestation along the river bed. As a base line the degraded river plains along Syrdarya river will be mapped and suitable areas for water resource management via afforestation within the riverbed will be determined. In addition nursery gardens will be organized, as well as model areas for the rehabilitation of river plain forests as a functioning ecosystem. In the nursery garden for a fast propagation of indigenous shrub and tree will be worked out. This will lead to a deeper understanding of the desertification taking place along the river beds of Syrdarya and help to protect and restore habitat for wild plant and animal species as well as drinking water resources for living in the river plains. (The project belongs to 'INTAS CALLS for the Aral Sea 2000'; homepage: www.intas.be.