干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

This paper describes a method and results for the investigation of the recent hydrological changes in Aral Sea and Lake Balkhash of Central Asia using multi-temporal satellite data Landcover change of the lakes and their vicinity from 1960's to 1990's were analyzed by comparing the landcover classification images. Using the analyzed satellite images, a bathymetric map and the meteorological observations, change estimation of water volume and levels, and analysis of water balance in lakes were carried out. It is presumed that the change in Aral Sea has been affected by human activities. Contrary to this, the change of Lake Balk-hash has been affected by both human and natural dimensions.