Nurgul Ramazanova

The article considers the assessment of planar soil erosion in the Zhambyl region using the RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) model in a geoinformation environment. Remote sensing data analysis methods, digital terrain models (SRTM), and land use data (Land Cover 2024, Living Atlas) were used to model factors R (rain erosion aggression), K (soil resistance), LS (slope length and steepness), C (cover and land use), and P (erosion control measures).) and climate information (WorldClim v2.1). The final factor A, reflecting the average annual potential soil loss, was obtained in ArcGIS using the Raster Calculator tool by multiplying all input layers. A values range from 0 to 22.4 t/ha per year. The main part of the territory (98.4%) is characterized by mild erosion (less than 0.3 t/ha/year). Moderately and severely eroded areas (A values above 2 t/ha/year) account for about 0.2% of the area and are concentrated mainly on the slopes of mountains, ridges, riverbeds and ravines. It has been established that the relief (LS-factor) and the structure of land use (C-factor) have the greatest influence on erosion processes, especially in agricultural landscapes with high anthropogenic load. The results obtained are an important basis for planning soil protection measures and sustainable environmental management in the region.

Human economic activity is a key factor shaping the modern landscape. To ensure a high level of environmental well-being, nature conservation, and the rational use of natural resources, it is necessary to comprehensively consider all types of technogenic impacts on the natural environment — both direct and indirect. In this regard, the study of eco-geomorphogenesis under the conditions of anthropogenic pressure and changing climate is especially relevant and becomes one of the priority tasks for maintaining environmental sustainability. This article examines the features of eco-geomorphogenesis in the Kostanay region under the influence of current anthropogenic activities. The processes of landform formation and transformation caused by human activities such as land use, agriculture, forestry, and mineral extraction are analyzed. The consequences of these changes for the natural environment are considered: increased erosion, alteration of the water regime, soil degradation, and disruption of ecosystem stability. Special attention is paid to the interaction between geomorphological and ecological factors in landscape transformation processes. Conclusions are drawn about the current state of geomorphogenetic processes, and measures are proposed to mitigate the negative consequences of anthropogenic impact in the Kostanay region. Keywords: eco-geomorphogenesis, Kostanay region, geology, geomorphology, geological and lithological features.

Қазіргі таңда топырақ эрозиясына (шайылуына) байланысты топырақ деградациясы өзекті экологиялық мәселелердің бірі болып отыр. Бұл процестің ауқымын нақты бағалау және алдын алу шараларын әзірлеу аса маңызды. Топырақ эрозиясы - табиғи және антропогендік факторлардың өзара әрекеттесуінен туындайтын күрделі процесс. Ол жердің құнарлылығын төмендетіп, ауыл шаруашылығына және ұлттық экономикаға үлкен зиян келтіреді. Шығу тегіне қарай топырақ эрозиясы екі түрге бөлінеді: жел эрозиясы (дефляция) және су эрозиясы (шайылу). Атмосфералық жауын-шашынның көп мөлшері мен жоғары қарқындылығы - су эрозиясын күшейтетін негізгі факторлардың бірі. Осы зерттеудің мақсаты - Терісаққан өзені алабындағы жауын-шашын қарқындылығы коэффициентінің (R-фактордың) кеңістіктік таралуын анықтап, оның топырақ шайылуын сандық бағалаудағы рөлін айқындау. Бұл мақсатқа жету үшін геоақпараттық жүйе (ГАЖ) әдістері пайдаланылды: жауын-шашын бойынша метеодеректер интерполяцияланып, алаптың аумағы бойынша R-фактордың мәндері есептелді. Терісаққан өзенінің алабы шығыстан батысқа қарай шамамен 130 км, ал оңтүстіктен солтүстікке қарай 239 км созылып жатыр. Оның оңтүстік бөлігі - төбелі аймақ, ал солтүстік жағы - жазық, сондықтан жауын-шашын мөлшері оңтүстіктен солтүстікке қарай кемиді. Солтүстік-шығыс бөлігінде жауын-шашын мөлшері 302-325 мм болса, оңтүстік бөлігінде 137-176 мм шамасында. Есептелген R-фактор көрсеткіштері де осы заңдылықты көрсетеді: солтүстік-шығыста - 151-162, ал оңтүстікте - 68-88 аралығында. Бұл көрсеткіштер жауын-шашын қарқындылығының су эрозиясының дамуына шешуші әсер ететінін дәлелдейді, әсіресе майда құрылымды топырақтар мен желді аймақтарда. Зерттеудің ғылыми маңызы-осы аумақ бойынша R-факторды есептеу арқылы топырақ эрозиясының кеңістіктік заңдылықтарын нақтылау болса, практикалық мәні - эрозия қаупі жоғары аймақтарды анықтап, тиімді қарсы шараларды жоспарлауға мүмкіндік беруінде.

The assessment of the ecological and recreational potential of protected natural areas in the Southern Altai is an important area of ecological research. This article investigates the ecological condition and recreational opportunities of protected natural areas in the Southern Altai region. Using GIS technology, an electronic map of natural, historical, and cultural monuments in the area was created, and the ecological condition of protected areas and the preservation of their natural resources were evaluated. The relevance of evaluating the ecological and recreational potential of the Southern Altai's specially protected natural areas is explained by the need to preserve unique ecosystems alongside the development of tourism. The study used cartographic materials at a scale of 1:100,000, remote sensing data, and field route results (2015-2024). Firstly, the boundaries of strictly protected areas and point objects (geological, hydrological, botanical monuments) were digitized in the ArcGIS software suite, after which the entire area was divided into 80 hexagonal cells, each with a size of 5x5 km. For each cell, attribute data was collected: the number and type of monuments, the accessibility of infrastructure, and the degree of anthropogenic impact. The important results of this study include the identification of natural monuments and the areas of particular importance for their protection. The Katon-Karagay National Nature Park, the Markakol Reserve, and the geological monuments in the Kurshim district, specifically the Kiyn-Kerish and Kyzyl-Kerish stones, are considered as sites requiring ecological protection. The natural monuments and natural resources in these areas are of particular significance for ensuring ecological stability and preserving the recreational potential of the region.

This study focuses on analyzing the long-term development of landscapes in the Turkestan region and the impact of climate change on regional landscapes. Through palynological and stratigraphic analyses, the influence of climatic fluctuations on plant communities and landscape structure from the Oligocene to the Holocene was identified. The research revealed that the vegetation cover in the Turkestan region has developed adaptation mechanisms to cope with climatic changes. It was determined that the current landscapes of the Turkestan region were shaped as a result of historical climatic instabilities, forming the foundation for the resilience of the region's vegetation. The findings enhance our understanding of the evolution of regional landscapes and provide insights into developing strategies for sustainable adaptation to climate change. It has been established that the present-day landscapes of the Turkestan region formed as a result of adaptation to historical climatic changes. These findings are essential for devising strategies for preserving regional vegetation cover and ensuring sustainable adaptation to climate change. The results obtained deepen our understanding of the landscape evolution and resilience mechanisms in the Turkestan region, providing a basis for assessing the region’s future ecological stability.

This study is aimed at a comprehensive assessment of the chemical composition of surface waters in the Turkestan region and their impact on regional landscapes. The primary objective of the research is to systematically evaluate the level of chemical pollution in the region’s water resources and determine its indirect effects on landscape-ecological stability. In August 2024, water samples from eight sampling points (S1–S8) were analyzed for 24 physicochemical parameters, including total hardness (mg*eq/L), pH, dry residue (mg/L), electrical conductivity (µS/cm), total salinity (mg/L), Al, As, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Ti, Fe, Pb, Cu, Mg, K, Mn, Na, Ni, Zn, SO₄²⁻, and C₆H₅OH. To determine the degree of pollution, variational-statistical analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), as well as the calculation of the OIP, NPI, and HPI indices were performed. For land use and land cover change (LULC) analysis, LULC classification was carried out based on Landsat data from 2000 to 2020, forming the basis for land resource management and planning. The research results showed a deterioration in the ecological condition of water resources and an increasing anthropogenic impact. Specifically, at point S8, the concentration of Al was found to be 56 times higher than the maximum allowable limit, while the concentration of Fe was 42 times higher. High levels of pollution were also recorded at points S1, S4, S5, and S6, where the increase in Al and Na concentrations caused a sharp rise in the OIP value. The main factors influencing water pollution include industrial effluents, agricultural waste, and irrigation drainage waters. The pollution’s negative impact on regional landscapes has led to issues related to the distribution of vegetation, soil fertility, and landscape stability. To improve the current ecological situation and restore natural balance, the phytoremediation method is proposed. The research results will serve as the foundation for developing water resource management strategies for the Turkestan region and making informed decisions aimed at ensuring ecological sustainability.

This article examines the influence of various natural factors on the formation of landscape and soil complexes in the Zhaiyk River basin. The key components considered in the study include soil types, topography, and natural landscapes. The analysis reveals that the soils of the region range from chestnut and chernozem to sod-podzolic and solonetz soils, which determine the characteristics of vegetation and agricultural potential. Soil complexes are largely shaped by topography, water regime, and climatic conditions. Based on cartographic data obtained from satellite imagery and digital terrain models, an analysis was conducted to assess the distribution of soils and their relationship with vegetation types, water bodies, and other natural features. The results of the study reveal important patterns in the distribution of soil types and assess their role in the region’s ecosystems, providing practical insights for land resource management, agriculture, and environmental conservation in the Zhaiyk River basin. Topography, in turn, affects water exchange and erosion processes, which significantly influence soil types and their distribution. Special attention is given to identifying the interrelationships between soils, topography, and vegetation, as well as the role of these factors in the formation of sustainable ecosystems. The findings confirm that the complex interaction of topographical and soil features influences the distribution of landscape zones, which is crucial for planning agricultural activities and nature conservation.

This study is aimed at a comprehensive assessment of the chemical composition of surface waters in the Turkestan region and their impact on regional landscapes. The primary objective of the research is to systematically evaluate the level of chemical pollution in the region's water resources and determine its indirect effects on landscape-ecological stability. In August 2024, water samples from eight sampling points (S1–S8) were analyzed for 24 physicochemical parameters, including total hardness (mg*eq/L), pH, dry residue (mg/L), electrical conductivity (µS/cm), total salinity (mg/L), Al, As, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Ti, Fe, Pb, Cu, Mg, K, Mn, Na, Ni, Zn, SO₄²⁻, and C₆H₅OH. To determine the degree of pollution, variational-statistical analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), as well as the calculation of the OIP, NPI, and HPI indices were performed. For land use and land cover change (LULC) analysis, LULC classification was carried out based on Landsat data from 2000 to 2020, forming the basis for land resource management and planning. The research results showed a deterioration in the ecological condition of water resources and an increasing anthropogenic impact. Specifically, at point S8, the concentration of Al was found to be 56 times higher than the maximum allowable limit, while the concentration of Fe was 42 times higher. High levels of pollution were also recorded at points S1, S4, S5, and S6, where the increase in Al and Na concentrations caused a sharp rise in the OIP value. The main factors influencing water pollution include industrial effluents, agricultural waste, and irrigation drainage waters. The pollution's negative impact on regional landscapes has led to issues related to the distribution of vegetation, soil fertility, and landscape stability. To improve the current ecological situation and restore natural balance, the phytoremediation method is proposed. The research results will serve as the foundation for developing water resource management strategies for the Turkestan region and making informed decisions aimed at ensuring ecological sustainability.

Rapid urbanization entails complex problems not only in cities, but also within urban agglomerations. In modern landscape science, the greatest problems are primarily related to the ecological state of urban ecosystems. In this context, the most important task of urbanism is the interdisciplinary study of urban infrastructure in relation to the well-being of inhabitants, with a focus on the sustainable development of urban agglomerations. The aim of this study is to conduct a theoretical analysis of interdisciplinary research on the interactions between humans and the urban environment in the context of intensive urbanization, as well as to be an empirical study of the relationship between the real ecological state of the city of Astana, based on the use of geographical, environmental, cartographic, statistical, sociological, and socio-psychological research methods, aimed at identifying the mental well-being of citizens in correlation with their consumed urban ecosystem services using an associative psychological experiment, socio-psychological survey, and GIS mapping. As a result of this study, the authors have determined that the research hypothesis 1 “Spatial representations of the city’s geoecological state are interrelated with the mental well-being and satisfaction with urban ecosystem services of citizens depending on the area of residence” is confirmed. Additionally, a positive correlation has been noted among the key indicators and criteria of geoecological condition, mental well-being, and satisfaction with urban ecosystem services across different districts of the city.

Turkestan region is located in the south of Kazakhstan and is one of the industrially and agri-culturally developed regions of the republic. As the intensity of nature management in Turkestan region increases, pollution occurs under the influence of anthropogenic factors. Taking into account anthropogenic factors, the composition of chemical elements of the soil cover in genetic layers was studied in typical natural areas of the landscape system; and soil sections were made to determine the composition. The concentrations of chemical elements (C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Fe, Pb, As, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, V, Tl, Mn, and Sr) were analyzed based on the results of the analysis of samples from soil sections. The amount of chemical elements of the soil cover was determined using the Spectroscan MAX GF-2E device. The obtained data were statistically processed using the Microsoft Excel program. Chemical analysis of the soil cover (Pb, Cu, Zn, As, and Cr) showed that the chemical elements exceed the maximum allowable concentration. The results of the study are the basis for developing recommendations for solving problems related to the pollution of landscapes due to the impact of anthropogenic factors on the soil cover.