Grid Mapping of Central Asia Plants

The priority of grid-system mapping of flora as a globally accepted modern method holds great prospects in Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan. Based on initial results, since 2021 the Western Hisar Ridge and surrounding areas have been selected for detailed research due to their rich flora, diversity of rare and endemic species, and comprehensive baseline data (covering Boysun, Surkhan Reserve, and the Surkhan–Sherabad Valley).

For the Surkhandarya region alone, 882 indices of 5×5 km were defined. Unlike previous studies in the western branches of the Zarafshan Range, the grid system here divides squares by degrees (3′ width × 4′ length). The area of these trapezoids varies slightly — 26.4 km² in the south and 26.1 km² in the north.

The preliminary conclusion is that grid-based flora mapping is one of the most reliable and sustainable survey methodologies. Studies conducted in the Western Zarafshan Range and in the Surkhandarya region have proven that this approach — successfully implemented across Europe — can be effectively applied to the mountainous regions of Central Asia, especially Uzbekistan.