Transformerende landskaber: Qush Tepa-kanalen og det nordlige Afghanistans økosystemer
Transformerende landskaber: Qush Tepa-kanalen og det nordlige Afghanistans økosystemer
Existing Ecosystems and Regional Landscape
Northern afghanistan is a land of contrasts. From vast deserts and fertile deltas to mountain-fed rivers and scattered wetlands, the region is undergoing significant changes. The Regional Landscape study assesses the impact of the Qush Tepa Canal on Mazar-e-Sharif, Andkhoi, and Sheberghan by examining the interplay between various ecosystems that shape the region. This analysis considers both internal and external forces that have defined the landscape over time.
Situated on a vast deltaic plain at the confluence of the Band-e-Amir River, these northern cities are deeply linked to their environment. The flow of the Balkh, Khulam, Sar-e-Pul, and Shereen Tagab rivers creates a natural border: fertile soils with rainfed or irrigated agriculture lie to the north, while barren drylands stretch to the south. The region’s cold steppe climate—with scorching summers averaging 39°C in July and chilly winters averaging -2.1°C in January—receives minimal rainfall, reinforcing the cities’ heavy reliance on both surface and groundwater resources.
The urban fabric of Mazar-e-Sharif, Andkhoi, and Sheberghan is defined by two dominant landscape types. To the north, an extensive desert corridor marked by sand dunes parallels the Amu Darya River, contributing salt and dust that adversely affect public health. Conversely, the southern edge is graced by the Hindu Kush Mountain range, which not only supplies vital water resources but also offers a cool retreat during the intense summer heat. This natural contrast is further enriched by a variety of significant cultural landmarks located within a two-hour drive, providing sufficient opportunities for leisure and recreation. The dynamic interaction between these contrasting landscapes highlights the region’s social and economic vitality.
Vigtigste naturlige træk og deres dynamik
Amo-floden:
Forming a natural boundary with Afghanistan’s northern neighbors, the Amo River is one of the largest untouched ecosystems along the border. Often referred to as the “Nile of Central Asia,” it supports diverse fish species, draws recreational enthusiasts from across the country, and serves as an important economic resource for local communities. Aral Lake, once the world’s second-largest lake, has largely dried up due to the diversion of Amu River water for irrigation. This event is considered one of the most catastrophic environmental disasters in history.
The Desert Ecosystem:
Positioned between the Amu River and Afghanistan’s northern rangelands, the desert stretches from Jawzjan to Takhar provinces in parallel with the river. Characterized by arid and semi-arid conditions, the Sand Dome Desert is a major source of seasonal sand, dust storms, and strong winds that pose significant environmental and public health risks—risks that have intensified over the past two decades due to climate change. Despite generating 35% of the Amu River’s water, Afghanistan has yet to harness it for irrigation. The Qush Tepa Canal is set to change that by becoming the country’s first project to use Amu River water for agriculture, although design Udfordringerne kan resultere i op til 22 % vandtab i løbet af de første 40 kilometer og potentielt udløse jordforsaltning, når grundvandsspejlet stiger. Desuden deler selve kanalen ørkenen, hvilket reducerer tilgængeligt habitat og begrænser arters bevægelsesfrihed.
Bjergfodrede floder og landbrugsgrænser:
Originating from the peaks of the Hindu Kush, Alborz, and Marmal mountains, the Khulam, Balkh, Sari Pul, and Sheren Tagab rivers flow through verdant valleys before merging with the rangelands and semi-desert. Historically, these rivers reached the Amu River prior to the advent of modern irrigation systems and now delineate the boundary between fertile agricultural lands and encroaching desert. Ancient sites along the lower reaches of the Balkh River highlight early civilizations that thrived on these watercourses, once surrounded by lush grasslands now increasingly overtaken by sand dunes—a stark reminder of ongoing desertification. Satellite imagery even reveals these rivers as tree-like roots traversing the landscape, connecting agricultural lands and recreational areas within a two-hour drive from Mazar-e-Sharif.
Landbrugslandskaber og naturlige barrierer:
Each river watershed has developed its own distinct agricultural landscape. However, natural features such as rangelands and sand dunes create barriers between these zones, rendering the habitats fragile and vulnerable to environmental stresses like extreme heat and draught. Although much of the land between irrigated fields remains moderately suitable for cultivation, rainfed agricultural zones—especially those at the end of irrigation canals—are prone to water shortages during droughts and contribute to airborne fine particles during windy seasons, further impacting air quality.
Vådområder som multifunktionelle systemer:
Maps of the region reveal scattered wetlands interspersed throughout expansive agricultural areas. These wetlands typically form in depressions or low-lying areas where the water table is shallow or where excess water accumulates along irrigation canals and runoff paths. Functioning as Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for water management, these wetlands enhance flood resilience, shorten the duration of droughts, and filter out pollutants. Even in intensively cultivated zones, these natural water bodies persist as vital elements of a complex mosaic that includes irrigated fields, rainfed farms, shrublands, and deserts—each reflecting the critical influence of water availability on settlement, agriculture, and ecosystem dynamics.
Trusler fra klimaændringer og miljøfarer
Climate change, coupled with rapid urbanization and shifts in land use, poses increasing risks to these unique ecosystems. Since 1980, natural hazards in Afghanistan have affected approximately 9 million people and claimed over 20,000 lives. Flooding remains the most common hazard, with average annual damages of $54 million and major events surpassing $500 million in losses. Although earthquakes have been less frequent, they have been deadlier—causing over 10,000 fatalities since 1980 and annual damages estimated at $80 million. Droughts have impacted 6.5 million people since 2000 during significant events in 2000, 2006, 2008, and 2011. Additionally, millions face landslide and avalanche risks, with around 10,000 km of roads (15% of the total) exposed to avalanche hazards, including critical routes like the Salan Pass.
I denne sammenhæng er Mazar-e-Sharif moderat udsat for tørke og meget sårbar over for jordskælv med lokale oversvømmelsesrisici i de sydlige højskråningsområder og vestlige sumpede områder. I mellemtiden står Sheberghan over for høj tørke- og jordskælvsrisiko, omend med lavere oversvømmelsesfarer, og Andkhoi oplever betydelig tørkerisiko med moderat jordskælvssårbarhed.
Qush Tepa-kanalen: Udfordringer og muligheder
Afghanistan’s interim authorities project that the 287-kilometer-long Qush Tepa Canal—with a depth of 8.5 meters and an average width of 100 meters—will irrigate over 1.2 million acres of farmland and generate roughly 200,000 jobs, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and national food security. Construction is advancing rapidly, employing about 5,000 workers and 4,000 pieces of heavy equipment. With the first phase completed and 81% of the second phase’s excavation finished, the main canal structure is expected to be completed in six years, though the full network of secondary channels may take up to 15 years.
Trods disse lovende udsigter er der fortsat bekymring: der forventes et vandtab på op til 22 % i de første 40 kilometer på grund af designfejl og mangel på betonforing, og stigende grundvandsspejle kan føre til kunstvandingsinduceret forsaltning af jorden.
Projektet, der oprindeligt blev udtænkt i 1970'erne, blev sat i stå af årtiers konflikt efter den sovjetiske invasion i 1979. En forundersøgelse foretaget af USAID i 2018 og en efterfølgende lancering af Ghanis regering (før dens fald i 2021) banede vejen for, at Taliban kunne genstarte projektet i marts 2022 som et flagskibsinitiativ. Ud over at afhjælpe vandmangel sigter kanalen mod at afhjælpe presset på floderne Balkh, Sar-e-Pul og Sheren Tagab og dermed sikre vandtilgængelighed året rundt for samfund opstrøms. Derudover forventes det at fremme regeringsinitiativer inden for skovrejsning, udvidede kunstvandingsnetværk og forbedret vådområdeforvaltning og dermed lægge grundlaget for integrerede, landskabsbaserede løsninger, der styrker regional modstandsdygtighed og... biodiversitet.
Landskabsbaserede anbefalinger til forbedret regional økologi
As urban areas expand, improving natural resource management becomes crucial to mitigating environmental risks. Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) offer a cost-effective strategy deeply embedded in Afghan cultural practices to tackle challenges such as water security, pollution, environmental hazards, food insecurity, public health, and climate change. By harnessing natural processes, NBS aims to enhance both regional and urban resilience.
I regionerne Mazar-e-Sharif, Sheberghan og Andkhoi er økosystemet dybt formet af floder og vandløb, der stammer fra de sydlige bjergskråninger og Hindu Kush-bjergene. Disse vandløb har formet landbrugsdeltaer inden for hver provins' vandskel, samtidig med at de bidrager til dannelsen af saltvandsørkener i nord. Der er behov for særlig opmærksomhed ved de knudepunkter, hvor Balkh- og Flood-floderne udspringer af bjergskråninger og løber ud i Balkh-sletten. Disse områder, der forsyner både bycentre og landbrugsjord med vand, giver muligheder for at skabe infiltrationsreservoirer - strukturer, der opsamler overskydende vand i perioder med høj nedbør og lagrer det i grundvandsmagasiner til kommunal brug.
Moreover, integrating NBS with current wastewater treatment systems could lead to the development of city-wide treatment wetlands and regional parks in the saline desert north of these cities. Such wetlands would function as biofilters, using natural chemical processes and microorganisms to break down organic materials and remove pollutants. The resulting clean water could then infiltrate shallow aquifers or be used for irrigation.
For at imødegå de sundhedsrisici, der er forbundet med støv fra den nordlige ørken, kan etablering af et grønt bælte ved hjælp af overskydende vand fra vådområderne forbedre luftkvaliteten i byerne. En vellykket implementering af disse billige, men ambitiøse projekter vil kræve kommunale investeringer sammen med uddannelses- og kapacitetsopbyggende initiativer.
Nøgleanbefalinger:
- Sammenkoblede landbrugsnetværk: Develop a continuous agricultural landscape to enhance resilience, reduce local temperatures, and provide uninterrupted habitats for wildlife.
- Sandklitbarrierer: Etablere barrierezoner mellem landbrugsjord og de skiftende sandklitter for at afbøde ørkenindtrængning.
- Grønbælteudvikling: Protect vulnerable rolling hills from overgrazing by converting them into greenbelts through the planting of local trees and shrubs, thereby preventing soil erosion, improving air quality, and offering recreational spaces.
- Habitatforbindelse: Skab korridorer for dyrelivet på tværs af det kanalopdelte ørkenlandskab for at bevare arternes bevægelsesfrihed og territorium.
- Water Management Infrastructure: Byg kunstige dæmninger og udvikl vådområder i de sydlige dele af regionen for at håndtere vand opstrøms, genopfylde grundvandsmagasiner og afhjælpe tørkepresset.
- Wetland Conservation and Reforestation: Beskyt eksisterende vådområder og omdan egnede områder til sammenhængende skovområder ved hjælp af salt- og tørkeresistente arter. Dette initiativ vil forbedre luft-, vand- og jordkvaliteten og samtidig reducere virkningerne af klimaændringer. Hvor vand fra Qush Tepa-kanalen er rigeligt, kan nogle vådområder endda genanvendes til landbrugsmæssig brug.
By implementing these landscape-based solutions, the region can achieve enhanced ecological resilience, improved biodiversity, and sustainable habitat conditions—thereby securing a better quality of life for its residents amid the challenges posed by climate change and rapid urbanization.
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