Aizhan Zhamangara

В статье рассматривается проблема техногенного воздействия на растительный покров Костанайской области в условиях интенсивного освоения и эксплуатации газотранспортной инфраструктуры. Исследования, проведённые в 2022–2024 гг., охватывали широкий спектр биотопов - степные и луговые экосистемы, опушки лесов, прибрежные зоны рек, озёр и болот, а также агроценозы. Установлено, что в зону техногенного влияния вовлекаются не только основные (газовые) ресурсы, но и сопутствующие - водные, земельные, лесные и пастбищные. Это приводит к снижению экологической ценности природных комплексов за счёт деградации и к умеренным изменениям видового состава флоры и степени нарушенности растительного покрова, обусловленным хозяйственной деятельностью предприятий. Флористический анализ выявил значительные вариации видового состава в зависимости от степени антропогенной деградации. На участках с высокой степенью дигрессии доминируют устойчивые к вытаптыванию и малопригодные к выпасу виды - представители рода Artemisia (полыни), отдельные виды Carex (осоки) и разнотравья, тогда как на слабо нарушенных территориях сохраняется типичный для естественных степей травостой, представленный злаками (Stipa - ковыль, Festuca - типчак). Снижение видового разнообразия флоры зафиксировано преимущественно в зонах локального техногенного прессинга, связанного с бытовыми отходами, уплотнением почвы и разрушением растительного покрова, не всегда напрямую обусловленного деятельностью АО «Интергаз Центральная Азия». Выявленные формы локального запыления носят эпизодический и нерегулярный характер. Полученные результаты позволяют предварительно охарактеризовать состояние биоценозов исследованных территорий как относительно устойчивое, однако сохранение и поддержание этой устойчивости требует регулярного мониторинга и разработки мер по снижению антропогенной нагрузки. Целью данного исследования являлось получение объективной информации о современном состоянии видового разнообразия флоры в районах, прилегающих к производственным объектам, и оценка степени техногенного влияния деятельности предприятий на растительный покров региона.

This article reconstructs the Early Miocene climate of the Turgay Trough in Central Asia, using the Coexistence Approach (CA) and paleofloristic data from Kushuk. Its main goal is to determine climatic parameters and ecosystem changes in the Early Miocene. Results indicate a warm-temperate climate with mild winters and sufficient rainfall, featuring a mean annual temperature of 14.2°C and mean annual precipitation of 898.5 mm. These conditions supported diverse forest ecosystems, including broadleaf and mixed woodlands. A comparison with the modern climate shows a strong contrast, suggesting increased continentality and reduced moisture availability. This evidence supports a gradual climatic cooling and drying during the Miocene, driven by global and regional factors such as tectonic uplift and oceanic currents.The study underscores the climatic evolution of Central Asia and validates the CA method as an effective tool for paleoclimatic studies. Findings can be applied to climate modeling and assessing how shifts in temperature and precipitation influenced Neogene ecosystems. Planned research will examine the interplay of climatic and geological factors, focusing on how changes in precipitation patterns shaped habitat distribution and species composition. These data provide a basis for refining paleoclimatic models and reconstructing biosphere dynamics in the Neogene, thereby advancing our understanding of how climate influenced regional development and biodiversity.

The hydrochemical indicators of lakes Imantau, Shalkar (North-Kazakhstan region), Zerenda, Kopa (Akmola region) located on the Kokshetau upland for 2022-2023 are shown in the article. Lake Zerenda, Imantau, Shalkar - the largest water reservoir of STNP "Kokshetau". Lake Kopa is located in the center of Kokshetau, in the most urbanized area of the region. Between the studied years, there is a change in some indicators, as well as indicators exceeding the MPC. In connection with the increase in anthropogenic load on water bodies, it is important to update research annually, and hydrobiological research with hydrochemical parameters is also conducted. An increase in the amount of ammonium ions is noted in lakes Zerendа, Kopa, Imantau and Shalkar, which is a sign of pollution by organic substances. In addition, sharp changes in the chemical composition of water are observed in Lake Shalkar, where a sharp increase in mineralization is observed, which requires further studies of the state of the reservoir. The chemical composition of Lake Zerendа is relatively stable, but there is a high concentration of sodium and potassium exceeding the MPC. The levels of magnesium and calcium are also higher than normal, which indicates a higher level of minerals in the water.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology is an essential tool for monitoring living organisms in ecological research. The combination of eDNA methods with traditional methods of ecological observation can significantly improve the study of the ecology of rare species. Here, we present the development and application of an eDNA approach to identify rare sturgeons in the lower reaches of the Ural River (Zhaiyk) (~1084 km). The presence of representatives of the genus Sturgeon was detected at all sites in spring (nine sites) and autumn (ten sites) while they were absent during the summer period, consistent with their semi‐anadromous ecology. Detection in spring and autumn indicates the passage of spring and winter forms to the lower and upper spawning grounds, respectively. This study confirms the difficulties of species‐specific identification of Eurasian sturgeon and provides the first documented eDNA detection of specimens of the genus Sturgeon in the Ural River. It also provides a biogeographic snapshot of their distribution, experimentally confirming their seasonal migrations in the lower reaches of the river. The successful detection of sturgeon motivates further eDNA surveys of this and other fish species for accurate species identification and population assessment, opening up prospects for the management of these threatened species.

The article provides an analysis of Cenozoic floras collected and studied at different times in the valley of the Uly-Zhilanshik River (South Torgai Depression, Kazakhstan), and also discusses the prospects for reconstructing the Cenozoic paleoclimate based on the study of fossil floras. The Uly-Zhilanshchik River valley is a key area for understanding the processes of environmental change in the Paleogene and Neogene. These studies of these paleofloras make it possible to reconstruct paleogeographical conditions: paleolandscapes and climate change. It was shown that floras of the same age were not of the same type and had their own regional characteristics. Floristic composition represented in floras from sediments of different ages along the river. Uly-Zhilanshik, allows us to trace the stages of retreat of the Chegan Sea and further aridization of the territory. The article was prepared during the implementation of the grant project AP19677563 “Study of paleoflora and climate of Central Kazakhstan at the boundary of the Oligocene and Miocene and the initial stage of desertification of the region” (2023 – 2025)

The article presents data on the results of processing of literary sources and herbarium collections in the territory of Almaty region on the family Apiaceae Lindl., where 127 species from 57 genera, confirmed by herbarium specimens, were identified. In the flora of Almaty region Apiaceae is one of the leading families and occupies the 11th place. Systematic analysis of the Apiaceae family of the studied region has shown that the largest genera by number of species are Ferula (26 species), Seseli (13 species), Prangos (8 species), Bupleurum (7 species), Aulacospermum (4 species), Aegopodium (3 species), Sium (3 species), Heracleum, Sium, Hyalolaena (3 species each), Eryngium, Anthriscus, Schrenkia, Angelica, Bunium, Cuminum, Schulzia, Conioselinum, Semenovia (2 species each), other genera have one species each. Among them 15 endemic species, 10 species are included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (2014). Many species are distributed in Kazakhstan and adjacent areas of northwestern China. Materials of Herbarium Funds: AA, MW, TK were studied. The list of umbrella species by administrative districts of the region is given, as well as species prospective for inclusion in the Red Data Book of Almaty region, which have a very limited number of habitats, i.e. occur ʜe frequent and rare. Key words: family Apiaceae, species, genus, systematics, ecology, and Almaty region.