Assessment of the current status of the turanga forests in the south-east of Kazakhstan

Abstract

Data reflecting the current state of Turanga forests in the South-East of Kazakhstan (within the Almaty region) is presented based on the analysis of forest management (as of 01.01.2020) and field surveys by authors in the period 2015-2020. It was found that stunted, understocked stands, which are mainly mature and over-mature in terms of age composition dominate. By the species composition of the stand is prevailed by pure plantings or with a slight admixture of Elaeagnus oxycarpa. Natural regeneration in the form of creeping-rooted specimens was observed only in some small areas, which characterizes the plantings as unstable. Rare, relict and endemic species of trees and shrubs are noted in the composition of the flora of the Turanga forests, their phytocoenotic indexes and practical significance are evaluated. Turanga woodlands need special protection, because these forests have a great environment-forming, soil-fixing, and reclamation value, i.e., they generally stabilize the ecological situation in the floodplains of rivers in arid regions. The main factors of anthropogenic impact on the Turanga forests of the region are shown: changes of the hydrological regime in the Ili River valley, recreation (increasing the road and path network, trampling the soil, setting up campfires), as well as grazing. Proposals are made to improve the protection of these relict forests and an analysis of ways to preserve individual floral elements based on clonal micropropagation methods is given.

Current Growth Conditions of Populus Diversifolia Schrenk and Populus Pruinosa Schrenk in the Syr-Darya Valley

“…The root system of the turanga tree in addition to the main rod feeding root going deep forms two tiers of horizontal appendage roots extending more than 30 m. At the same time, less deeply lying radial roots located, as a rule, at a depth of up to 1 m, participate in the process of vegetative reproduction (Rakhimzhanov et al, 2021). Thus, the concentration of turanga groves in the vicinity of Kyzylorda is explained by the low salinization degree of soils at the depth of up to 1 m, which makes it possible to maintain the population due to vegetative reproduction.…”

“…As it is known to maintain the life of the turanga population growing on the sands, the maximum depth of groundwater should not exceed 7m. The optimal development of turanga populations corresponds to the depth of groundwater of up to 3 meters (Rakhimzhanov et al, 2021).…”

“…Unfortunately, in general, the area occupied by turanga rare woodlands over the past 100 years has significantly decreased (in several places to 80%) (Rakhimzhanov et al, 2021). This situation was mainly due to a shortage of water caused by its high consumption, primarily for rice cultivation.…”

“…There are studies on turanga forests in Kazakhstan (Rakhimzhanov et al, 2021) but the turanga valley forests in the Syr-Darya River are not studied enough. This also applies to the species composition of turanga groves of the Ile valley flora , as well as the modern state and protection of the turanga forests of the Ile-Balkhash basin (Thevs et al, 2017).…”

Plant Diversity and Distribution Patterns of Populus pruinosa Schrenk (Salicaceae) Floodplain Forests in Kazakhstan

“…Recent publications reflected the results of a study of the floristic composition of turanga woodlands and forests in key areas [14,15] and an evaluation of the soil conditions [16,17]. An assessment of the current state of turanga stands in the southeast of Kazakhstan (the Almaty region) was also conducted [18], which showed the dominance of low-priority, low-field stands that are mainly mature and over-mature in terms of age. The natural renewal in the form of root-bearing individuals was noted only in some small areas, which characterized the plantings as unstable.…”