This paper presents the results of a comprehensive field study of the spatial distribution, ecological and community characteristics, and vertical altitudinal range of a rare relict species of Kazakhstan’s flora—the shrub Zabelia corymbosa (Regel et Schmalh.) Makino. The research focused primarily on an in-depth study of the current local populations of this endangered endemic and relict species within the western part of the Kyrgyz Alatau Range, which constitutes a major botanical region and a biodiversity hotspot in Central Asia. New locations of the species have been identified in the Arasay, Baktegen, Oirandy, and Zhalanashsay gorges. The boundaries of the species’ distribution in the Kazakhstani part of its range, the characteristics of its ecological association, and its altitudinal range in the Oirandy, Karakystak, Merke, and Zhalanashsay. The analysis confirms the species’ association with rocky substrates and allows for the development of recommendations for the conservation of this endangered endemic species of Southern Kazakhstan. The findings of this study make a significant contribution to our understanding of the biogeography of the Tien Shan and the dynamics of relict species, highlighting the strict ecological selectivity of Zabelia corymbosa toward high-altitude conditions. A detailed description of associated species and the structure of plant communities is critical for updating flora inventories. The practical significance of this work lies in providing a scientific basis for measures to conserve vulnerable ecosystems and expand protected areas.
Betpakdala is one of the largest desert regions in Kazakhstan and a crucial center for the formation of the Central Asian arid flora. A special place in the regional vegetation cover belongs to the family Amaranthaceae, whose representatives dominate communities in clay, stony, and saline deserts. The study aimed to analyze the taxonomic composition, ecological structure, and distribution patterns of the Amaranthaceae family within the flora of Betpakdala. The work is based on field research data, herbarium collections, and literature sources. It was established that the family is represented by 43 species from 17 genera, with the genera Salsola , Suaeda , Atriplex , Anabasis , and Arthrophytum exhibiting the highest diversity. Ecological analysis demonstrated a predominance of halophytes and xerophytes, driven by the combination of an arid climate and highly saline, carbonated, and gypsiferous soils. The presence of narrow-range species was revealed, including Arthrophytum betpakdalense , A. balchaschense , and Kalidium juniperinum , emphasizing the significance of Betpakdala as one of the conservation centers for Kazakhstan's specialized desert flora. The obtained results expand current understanding of the Amaranthaceae family structure and can serve as a foundation for further floristic, ecological, and environmental conservation research.
The General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP) of Türkiye was reclassified by Presidential Decree No. 175 (Official Gazette, 28 December 2024) from a central ministerial unit to an affiliated public entity with legal personality and a special budget under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. This structured review examines (i) the historical development and current organizational structure of DKMP; (ii) the legal framework of the seven national protected area (PA) designations administered by DKMP, their distinction from international designations (Ramsar Sites) and conservation-planning tools (Key Biodiversity Areas, KBAs), and their indicative correspondence with IUCN management categories; and (iii) management effectiveness challenges identified in the literature. The review draws on 36 sources, including 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, together with legislation, official statistics and international guidance. At a common reporting date (end of 2023), the seven DKMP-administered designations comprised 646 sites with a gross area of 3.21 million hectares; because protection statuses overlap, gross areas cannot be summed to estimate coverage. Official overlap-corrected figures for all national designations indicate that approximately 7.8% of Türkiye's land area and 6.0% of its marine area were protected in 2023, well below Target 3 (30x30) of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF). Governance complexity, overlapping legal mandates, the absence of site-level IUCN category assignment, weak ecological connectivity and the lack of systematic management effectiveness evaluation are the primary structural problems identified. Recommendations address site-level IUCN assessment, KBA-informed gap analysis, representativeness and connectivity, management effectiveness evaluation, transparent PA statistics and inter-agency coordination.
The article presents the results of targeted proteomic research focused on the study and conservation of plant biodiversity, using taxa of the Ericaceae family ( Vaccinium vitis-idaea , Vaccinium corymbosum ) as a model. The application of the obtained data in taxonomy and biotechnology is demonstrated. Furthermore, the characteristics of the plant proteome are analyzed in relation to species and cultivars, as well as during in vitro cultivation and in callus cultures.
For the first time, data on the proteomic composition of plant species of the Ericaceae family cultivated under in vivo and in vitro conditions were obtained, as well as the proteomic characterization of calli initiated from various explants. The speciesand variety-specificity of the expressed genome products was established using 2Delectrophoresis. Proteins acting as potential markers for the species and variety identity of the studied taxa were identified. Low-molecular-weight proteins (predominantly protective PR-proteins), which are absent on the proteomic maps of cloned plants, were detected within the proteomes of leaf tissues of in vivo plants. Calli initiated from the leaf and stem tissues of lingonberry plants with a high content of bioactive substances (BAS) were obtained and a proteomic analysis of promising callus lines was performed. Biochemical markers reflecting general regularities of plants and callus cultures development were revealed.
In the botanical literature of the former USSR, the name “Taliev’s tulip” became attached to whiteflowered tulips from Kazakhstan, although it conflated two independent nomenclatural histories. This paper reconstructs the sequence of use of Tulipa talievii Vved. and T. talijevii Klokov & Zoz and separates the history of the names from the taxonomic interpretation of the plants concerned. Primary and reference works published between 1935 and 1987, IPNI and POWO records, recent regional revisions, and cytometric and phylogenomic evidence were compared. Vvedensky mentioned T. talievii only as a name he had considered for a northern race of T. buhseana and did not accept a separate taxon under that name; no valid publication has been located in the sources examined. T. talijevii Klokov & Zoz was independently published pro synonymo in the East European T. biebersteiniana–T. sylvestris complex. The association of T. talievii with Kazakhstan plants was consolidated mainly through later literature, beginning with Botschantzeva. Morphological and molecular evidence does not support recognition of “Taliev’s tulip” as a distinct taxon. The name is best retained informally for a Kazakhstan morphotype of T. buhseana within the T. biflora s.l. complex.
The study addresses the need to increase the production of high-quality Scots pine ( Pinus ylvestris L.) planting stock for forest restoration in the Irtysh ribbon pine forests. The aim was to assess whether standard containerized seedlings could be produced during a third growing rotation using biostimulants and interpolymer complexes based on chitosan and sodium carboxymethylcellulose. The study has been conducted since 2021 at the Forest Nursery and Forest Seed Station Complex of the Kanonersky branch of the State Forest Natural Reserve «Semey Ormany». Seed quality, emergence timing, seedling height, root development and the yield of standard planting stock were assessed. Laboratory germination reached 95%. During the first rotation, mass emergence occurred on days 4–5 in the interpolymer treatments compared with day 7 in the control; mean seedling height was 8.7–10.6 cm and the proportion of standard planting stock reached 83%. During the second rotation, mean height reached 9.4 cm and the yield of marketable planting stock was up to 70%. During the third rotation, seedling height did not exceed 3 cm, no standard planting stock was obtained, and the root plug failed to form. The results indicate that the effectiveness of biopolymer treatments depends substantially on nursery growing conditions. The practical significance of the study is related to optimizing the timing of the third rotation and greenhouse microclimate. Definitive quantitative attribution of the third-rotation failure to specific environmental factors requires additional instrumental measurements of temperature, light, substrate moisture and water–air conditions.
This article discusses the results of algal studies of the Kara‑Kengir River in the Ulytau Region. The study was conducted on a section of the river rich in higher aquatic vegetation. During the processing of samples, 135 species of algae belonging to 5 divisions were identified: Bacillariophyta 98, Cyanobacteria 1, Chlorophyta 12, Charophyta 16, Euglenozoa 3. The most diverse genera in terms of abundance and the most frequently occurring species of algae were identified. Among diatoms: Gomphonema Ehr. 9, Navicula Bory 1, Ulnaria Compère 5, Mastogloia Thwaites ex W. Sm. 5, Nitzschia Hass. 5, Epithemia Bréb. 5; among charophytes: Cosmarium Corda 10; among green algae: Scenedesmus Meyen (4 species). The genera are distinguished by the abundance of species. Most of the detected species belong to widely distributed cosmopolitan species. Among the total number of species, the following are considered rare: Mastogloia grevellei W. Sm., Gomphonema augur Ehr., Haslea spicula (Hickie) Bukhtiyarova, Amphipleura pellucida Kütz., Coelastrum microporum Nägeli, and Pandorina morum (О. F. Müller) Bory. Since these river algae are being studied for the first time, all the species identified in the river are new species for the water bodies of the Ulytau Region.
In the fight against climate change, forest ecosystems and green belt afforestation that draw down atmospheric carbon dioxide are vital carbon sinks. Beyond carbon storage, these practices deliver multifaceted ecosystem services such as erosion prevention, biodiversity conservation, and the improvement of air quality. This review examines the effects of green belt afforestation on carbon sinks in the light of the national and international literature. Applications worldwide China’s Three-North Shelterbelt, Africa’s Great Green Wall, and schemes in Europe demonstrate that substantial amounts of carbon are stored in biomass and soil. However, large-scale projects in arid and semi-arid regions, as in China, can adversely affect the hydrological balance by increasing water consumption. This makes it essential to strike a delicate balance between carbon capture and the management of water resources. Consequently, the success of green belt projects should not be measured solely by the number of seedlings planted. In future projects, carbon capacity, water balance, and biodiversity should be evaluated together, and ecosystem-based planning should be undertaken in the right place and with the right species.
The article reports new growth locations of two rare species, Veronica alatavica Popov and Ribes janczewskii Pojark., within the "Kolsai Kolderi" State National Nature Park and its adjacent territory, situated on the northern macroslope of the Kungei Alatau Range. The populations of these species are stable but small and incomplete in age structure, consisting of 9 reproductive individuals of Veronica alatavica and 8 reproductive individuals of Ribes janczewskii. The primary limiting and potentially threatening factors are uncontrolled cattle grazing, hay mowing prior to the fruiting period, and road construction activities.
