Analysis of the state of the network of protected natural areas and recommendations for their improvement at the system level using the Fergana Valley as an example)

Introduction. The relevance of the work is determined by the need for a systematic analysis of the representativeness of the protected areas (PA) network in the Fergana Valley to eliminate imbalances in landscape diversity and justify the expansion of the regional ecological framework to 17%. The purpose of the research: The primary goal of the study is to analyze the current state of the protected areas (PA) network in the Fergana Valley and develop recommendations for its systematic improvement, considering the conservation, environmental, and socio-economic significance of the region. Research methods and materials. The research is based on the land balance data of the administrative districts in the Fergana Valley for 2024–2025. Methods of integral assessment of typical geocomplexes were applied, and indicators for the conservation of natural geosystems (KCNG) and the territorial provision of conservation facilities (KTPCF) were developed to analyze the representativeness of the PA network. Research Results. An analysis of the territorial coverage of PAs was performed, revealing a significant lag in the Fergana Valley (10.2–16.4%) compared to the national average (14.08%). Based on the calculation of the KTPCF coefficient, a critically low provision of regional cores within the ecological framework and a lack of functional connectivity between them were established. The necessity of creating a network of ecological corridors to ensure the systemic functioning of protected areas was justified. Discussion of research results. The research results indicate that the current level of PA coverage in the Fergana Valley does not ensure the representativeness of the region's landscape diversity. It is proven that low KCNG and KTPCF indicators are directly linked to the absence of high-category sites (nature reserves and landscape sanctuaries) within the ecological framework structure. The deficit of connecting ecological corridors and the dominance of the demo-economic framework act additively, intensifying the isolation of existing natural cores. As the territorial integrity of the PA system decreases, anthropogenic pressure on unique geosystems increases: landscape fragmentation leads to the disruption of migration routes and the degradation of the biological gene pool. Thus, while the creation of local natural monuments only partially addresses the protection of individual sites, the formation of an integrated ecological network enhances the effectiveness of conservation measures, ensuring long-term ecological stability and the sustainable functioning of the region's geographical systems. Conclusion. The improvement of the PA system in the Fergana Valley is possible through the creation of new protected cores and the integration of fragmented areas into a unified ecological framework. Establishing a network of ecological corridors and increasing the coverage of protected areas to 17% enhances landscape representativeness and ensures the sustainable preservation of the region's biological diversity. Conclusions. The results obtained demonstrate the need for a qualitative expansion of the PA network in the Fergana Valley through the establishment of state nature reserves and complex sanctuaries. The proposed recommendations for forming an ecological framework can be adapted to the conditions of the region's administrative districts to ensure landscape connectivity and fulfill international biodiversity conservation obligations. Further research is aimed at a detailed geo-ecological justification of specific sites for organizing new PAs and refining the parameters of interstate ecological corridors within the Fergana Valley. The authors of this article present the methodology and results of assessing the representativeness of protected area networks and the conservation potential of the administrative districts in the Fergana Valley.