Kara-Kalpak Steppe

(Iaz”iavan Steppe), the central part of the Fergana Valley in Andizhan Oblast, Uzbek SSR. The surface is composed of loam, clay, sand, and coarse gravel. The steppe has many solonchaks and swampy expanses. There are areas of takyrs (clayey tracts amid sand) and hummocky sands. The characteristic plants are saltworts, Halocnemum, Aeluropus litoralis (Gouan) Parl (on solonchaks), wormwood, ephemerals, poplar, and tamarisk (on sands). The steppe is used chiefly for pasture.