GIS-based assessment of tree oxygen release potential in the desert landscape of Uzbekistan: evidence from saxaul and tamarix stands

Abstract

This study assesses tree oxygen release potential in the desert landscape of Uzbekistan using a GIS-based analytical framework supported by remote sensing indicators and species-level ecological coefficients. The analysis focuses on saxaul and tamarix stands, which are among the main drought- and salinity-tolerant woody plants used in arid-land restoration. The empirical dataset includes area, precipitation, air temperature, soil salinity, and oxygen-release values expressed as kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. The results show that oxygen release in the analyzed desert observations ranged from 130 to 155 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, with a simple mean of 144 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Saxaul showed a higher mean value, 148.3 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, compared with tamarix, 137.5 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. The table-based evidence suggests that species selection, moisture availability, and soil salinity jointly influence tree performance in desert restoration sites. The GIS map, scatter plots, and correlation heatmap show that spatial assessment can help interpret oxygen release as a practical ecological indicator, although the statistical relationships should be treated as exploratory because of the limited dataset. The study contributes to dryland restoration planning by showing how GIS, vegetation indices, and site-level ecological variables can support more careful identification of suitable areas for saxaul and tamarix-based afforestation in Uzbekistan’s desert territories