Makhambetov M.Zh.*, Izimova R., Khamit A.A., Koishygulova G.U.
- Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University
E-mail: makhambetov.murat@gmail.com
Grasslands are an important and vulnerable resource among many ecosystems that occupy a large part of the earth#8217;s surface. These ecosystems are constantly exposed to various climatic factors, and climate change is becoming one of the main threats to them. Pastures occupy 9612.9 thousand hectares of the territory of Atyrau oblast, which is 81% of the total territory. These lands are an important source for livestock breeding. In this paper we assessed the potential impact of climate change on pasture ecosystems of Atyrau oblast of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The spatial and temporal variability of precipitation for 30 years (1992-2022) was investigated using meteorological data. The fluctuations of precipitation amount in vegetation period (April - September) for 1992-2022 were determined. Multiyear series of average annual air temperature and precipitation during vegetation vegetation period were analysed and their predicted cyclic fluctuations for the next two years were modelled. Degradation points of pasture ecosystems were identified by counting 622 points in 1992, 585 points in 2002, 412 points in 2012 and 387 points of former and current cattle stands in 2022 through Google Earth map. The heat and moisture availability of the growing season of pasture plants under climate change was predicted.
The results of this study show how increasing temperature, decreasing precipitation, and management history affect pasture quality, and highlight the important role of vegetation of rangeland ecosystems. The results can be used in the process of establishing effective rangeland management practices, mechanisms for adaptation of rangeland vegetation or ecosystems to climate change.
Key words: climate, pastures, change, grazing, degradation, vegetation.
DOI 10.56525/NAHP2391