The role of Tugay forests along the Kura River and ecosystem conservation

Abstract

Tugay forests are river-dependent riparian woodlands that form natural green corridors in arid and semi-arid landscapes. This study examines the ecological role, principal pressures, and conservation needs of Tugay forests along the Kura River in Azerbaijan, with particular attention to the Garayazi forest landscape. The research was developed from an original student project based on official online sources, scientific literature, visual materials, and qualitative comparison of past and present ecosystem conditions. The findings show that Tugay forests support biodiversity, stabilize riverbanks and soils, regulate local microclimatic conditions, and provide opportunities for recreation, environmental education, and scientific observation. The reviewed evidence also identifies tree cutting, excessive grazing, land conversion, hydrological alteration, pollution, intensive water use, drought, and climate-related stress as interconnected pressures that can weaken forest regeneration and fragment riparian habitats. Recent studies of Azerbaijan’s Tugay ecosystems reinforce the importance of hydrological regime, groundwater conditions, alluvial soils, and native vegetation in maintaining ecosystem integrity. The analysis therefore supports an integrated conservation approach combining protection of existing forest stands, restoration with suitable native species, environmental-flow and water-management considerations, pollution control, grazing management, long-term monitoring, and environmental education. Tugay conservation is also relevant to the green economy because these forests function as natural infrastructure that supports biodiversity, erosion control, landscape quality, and the resilience of water- and land-dependent activities.