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Assessment of Landscape Resilience to Anthropogenic Impact in the Western Kazakhstan Region

Author

Listed:
  • Aigul Tokbergenova

    (Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan)

  • Aizhan Ryskeldiyeva

    (Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan)

  • Aizhan Mussagaliyeva

    (Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan)

  • Irina Skorintseva

    (Institute of Geography and Water Security of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan)

  • Damira Kaliyeva

    (Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan)

  • Alibek Beimbetov

    (Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan)

  • Ulan Mukhtarov

    (Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan)

  • Bekzat Bilalov

    (Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan)

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for assessing the resilience of landscapes to human impact in western Kazakhstan. The approach developed is based on integrating remote sensing data (MODIS, SMAP, NDVI and NDSI), the results of field surveys, and multi-criteria analysis methods in a GIS environment. The assessment covered over 50 landscape types and subtypes using ten key indicators reflecting climatic, geomorphological, soil, hydrological, and biotic characteristics. These indicators were normalised, aggregated and summarised to create an integral index of landscape resilience, which allowed four resilience classes to be identified, ranging from highly vulnerable to relatively resilient. The spatial analysis revealed that over 60% of the region’s territory is classified as high-vulnerability, predominantly within semi-desert and desert zones, which are vulnerable to climatic risks, degradation of vegetation cover and human activity. Verification of the results based on remote monitoring data for the period 2000–2024 and field observations confirmed the reliability of the developed methodology. The results obtained allow the identification of areas prioritised for environmental monitoring, restoration and sustainable land use in arid climate conditions. A plan of measures for regulation and restoration of ecosystems and spatial planning tools are proposed. The obtained data can be used for the development of regional environmental policy and sustainable land use strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Aigul Tokbergenova & Aizhan Ryskeldiyeva & Aizhan Mussagaliyeva & Irina Skorintseva & Damira Kaliyeva & Alibek Beimbetov & Ulan Mukhtarov & Bekzat Bilalov, 2025. "Assessment of Landscape Resilience to Anthropogenic Impact in the Western Kazakhstan Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8584-:d:1757411
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Aigul Tokbergenova & Irina Skorintseva & Aizhan Ryskeldiyeva & Damira Kaliyeva & Ruslan Salmurzauly & Aizhan Mussagaliyeva, 2025. "Assessment of Anthropogenic Disturbances of Landscapes: West Kazakhstan Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-20, January.
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