L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, a dissertation defense for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Баделгажы Ербахыт on the topic «The Impact of Tourism on the Ecology of the Altai Mountains» to the educational program «8D05208 – Ecology and nature management».
The dissertation was carried out at the «Management and Engineering in environmental protection education department» of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.
The language of defense is kazakh
Official reviewers:
Temporary members of the Dissertation Committee:
Scientific advisors:
Kapsalyamov Bauyrzhan Aueskhanovich – Doctor of Technical Sciences, Associate department «Management and Engineering in the Sphere of Environmental Protection» ENU named after L.N. Gumilyov (Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan)
Baast Oyungerel – Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Professor at the Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, and Director of the Non-Governmental Organization “Center for Research of Mongolia’s Specially Protected Areas” (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia)
The defense will take place on December 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Dissertation Council for the training direction «8D052 – Environment» in the specialty «8D05208 – Ecology and nature management» of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. The Dissertation Council meeting will be held in a hybrid format (online and offline).
Link: https://share.kz/gtmb
Address: Астана қаласы, Қажымұқан көшесі, 13, №3 оқу ғимараты №333 аудиториясы.
Abstract (English): Description of the Research: This dissertation explaines the nature and extent of the impact of tourism on the ecology of the Altai mountain range by conducting comparative analysis across the territories of Kazakhstan`S Altai, Russian Altai, and Mongol Altai. The study determines that the ecological impact of tourism can be quantitatively assessed using the concept of the carbon footprint. The Importance of research topic: The Altai mountain system, located across the border regions of Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, and China, is one of the main climate-forming regions of Central Asia, significantly influencing atmospheric circulation, moisture formation, and the maintenance of hydrological balance. From an orographic perspective, the Altai not only defines regional climatic conditions but also functions as a critical natural reservoir of biological and landscape diversity. Under conditions of global warming, mountain ecosystems are characterized by high vulnerability and limited self-regeneration capacity, making them indicators of climate change. Current observations already confirm glacier retreat, shifts in vegetation cover, and changes in river hydrological regimes. These processes are directly linked to global climate change and have consequences for the ecological stability of the entire Central Asian region. Alongside climate change, tourism has become a major source of ecological pressure in the Altai region. Despite being traditionally perceived as a relatively low-impact activity, the rapid growth of tourism contributes to soil and vegetation degradation, disruption of ecological balance, reduction of biodiversity, and increased waste accumulation. A significant component of this negative impact is the carbon footprint of tourism, formed through motor vehicle use, energy consumption in tourism infrastructure, and the reduction of ecosystem carbon sequestration capacity. Thus, tourism has the potential to exacerbate climate and ecological risks in the region, underscoring the need for scientific investigation within the framework of sustainable development. The identified research gap is confirmed by analysis of leading international scientific databases (Scopus, Web of Science, ResearchGate), which shows that out of more than 5,000 publications on the Altai, only about 1.5% address tourism-related issues. Moreover, the region lacks major industrial activities, meaning that unregulated tourism has become one of the primary drivers of environmental degradation. However, the specific influence of tourism on climate processes and ecosystems has not been systematically studied until now. In addition, there is a clear practical necessity for addressing this problem. According to the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC–2030), the Altai mountain range has been designated as one of the key transboundary ecotourism development clusters (Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia). The implementation of such initiatives without a comprehensive scientific understanding of their ecological consequences risks causing irreversible ecosystem degradation and diminishing the natural potential of the region. Therefore, the study of the impact of tourism on the ecology of the Altai mountain system has significant scientific and practical importance. This research aims to fill the existing knowledge gap by providing quantitative assessment of the carbon footprint of tourism, identifying its influence on climate and ecosystem processes, and offering recommendations to reduce negative impacts. The results will contribute to the development of measures for sustainable tourism management in the region and will support the strategic priorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the fields of ecology, climate policy, and environmental protection. Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study is to determine the nature and scale of the impact of tourism on the ecology of the Altai mountain range by quantitatively assessing the direct carbon footprint of various types of tourist activities and identifying the associated environmental pressures. Tasks of the study: To achieve this aim, the following tasks were formulated: 1. To determine the volume of tourist-generated waste in the Altai mountains and assess its ecological impact. 2. To evaluate the carbon footprint of tourist accommodation facilities. 3. To assess the impact of tourism on soil cover and determine the area of degraded and damaged soil surfaces. 4. To evaluate the ecological impact of tourist transportation and calculate the volume of carbon emissions using mathematical methods. 5. To assess the ecological impact of livestock concentrated in tourist areas and calculate their carbon footprint. Objects of the research: The research area was chose in accordance with physical–geographical regionalization: - Kazakh Altai Range is within the Altai–Sayan Mountain Region, covering an area of 64.4 thousand km². Administratively, this territory includes the districts of Borodulikha, Glubokoe, Zyryan, Katon-Karagai, Ulan, Zharma, Kokpekti, Kurchum, and Zaysan of the East Kazakhstan Region, Republic of Kazakhstan. - Mongolian Altai Range is represented by the Besbogda Physical–Geographical Subregion of the Mongolian Altai, covering 41.4 thousand km². The study area includes 12 soums of Bayan-Ölgii aimag, as well as parts of Erdenebüren, Khovd, Buyant, Duut, and Manhan soums of Khovd aimag, and western territories of Bukhmörön, Khovd, Ömnögovi, and Ölgii soums of Uvs aimag. - Russian Altai Range is within the M1—Altai Mountain Province of the Altai–Sayan Mountain Region, covering 173.6 thousand km². This area includes the entire territory of the Altai Republic, the southeastern part of Altai Krai, the southern part of Kemerovo Oblast, the southwestern part of the Republic of Khakassia, and a small portion of the western territories of the Republic of Tuva (Russian Federation). Scientific Novelty of the Research: For the first time, a comprehensive quantitative assessment of the negative impact of tourism on the ecology of the Altai mountain range has been conducted using the carbon footprint of greenhouse gas emissions as a unified integrated indicator. The methodology for calculating the carbon footprint of tourism was developed on the basis of five key factors: transportation, waste generation, tourist accommodation facilities, degradation of soil and vegetation cover, and livestock concentration associated with tourism activities. Considering climatic and socio-economic factors, the dynamics of the tourism-related carbon footprint over the last five years were analyzed. The study identifies cause–effect relationships between the growth of tourist flows and changes in ecosystem stability (soil cover, vegetation, biodiversity). Scientifically grounded measures aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of tourism and mitigating its impacts on mountain ecosystems are proposed. It is scientifically demonstrated that, due to the orographic structure of mountainous terrain, carbon emissions in certain valleys and gorges accumulate as a result of orographic trapping of greenhouse gases. No previous studies have examined the phenomenon of tourism-related carbon capture within orographic climatic barriers. Trapped gases intensify the greenhouse effect, alter the stratification of the atmospheric boundary layer, and influence convective and orographic moisture formation, which subsequently affects moisture balance on leeward slopes and the melting dynamics of glaciers. For the first time, tourism-related carbon accumulation in orographic systems is shown to be a major factor in disrupting orographic climatic stability. Coefficients for identifying the intensity of orographic trapping were developed and scientifically validated. Practical Significance: The results of the dissertation research have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at various academic platforms. Based on the research findings, the following official decisions and regulatory actions were adopted: 1. In Mongolia, a ban on the entry of motor vehicles into Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, including access to the Potanin Glacier, was enacted as of August 1, 2023. The decision was issued by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and officially implemented through the administrative body responsible for protected areas of the Mongolian Altai. The ban was based on research data presented on December 16, 2022, at a meeting with the Secretary-General of the Ministry, demonstrating soil degradation, heavy metal contamination, and waste accumulation linked to tourism. A copy of the decree is provided in аppendix. 2. On December 27, 2023, the National Statistical Office of Mongolia and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism jointly approved four new statistical reporting formats for tourism monitoring. One of these formats includes a methodology for registering tourist vehicles in protected areas and assessing their environmental footprint. This methodology was developed directly from the scientific findings of the dissertation. Supporting official correspondence and documents are provided in аppendix. Research Methods: Three main methodological approaches were applied in this study: - Expeditionary Field Research: Soil sampling, collection of waste samples, ecological and tourism-related observations, structured surveys, and monitoring were conducted along key tourist routes. - Laboratory Analysis: Spatial datasets were processed using cartographic and remote sensing techniques in the ArcGIS laboratory. Concentrations and spatial distribution of heavy metals in soil samples were measured. - Mathematical Modeling: Quantitative assessment of environmental conditions was conducted using mathematical models based on the international IPCC (2006) methodology at both Tier 1 (baseline) and Tier 2 (regional) levels. Objects of Research: For each study site, the following indicators were determined: – total amount of tourist-generated waste and associated CO₂ emissions; – carbon emissions from tourist accommodation facilities; – area and degree of anthropogenically degraded soil cover; – concentration of heavy metals in soils; – carbon emissions from tourist transportation; – carbon emissions from livestock concentrated in tourist zones. Research principles recommended for Defense: The findings of the dissertation can be applied in practical environmental management. The research challenges the common assumption that tourism development inevitably leads to economic benefits without ecological losses. The methodological framework developed in the dissertation provides a basis for integrating environmental protection measures into master planning of tourism zones. The results enable the identification of types of environmental impacts and support the optimal use of assessment methods for mitigating negative effects. Author’s Personal Contribution: The author independently organized and conducted one time expedition in the Kazakh Altai, one time in the Russian Altai, and five times in the Mongolian Altai. During fieldwork, measurements of soil trampling depth along tourist routes, soil sampling in degraded areas, and surveys among local residents were performed. Spatial data on degraded territories were processed and mapped in the Remote Sensing and ArcGIS Laboratory of the Institute of Geography and Geoecology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. All thematic maps and spatial datasets were produced in this laboratory. Heavy metal analyses were performed at the Nart Chemical Laboratory in Ulaanbaatar. Except for laboratory analyses of heavy metals, all data processing, survey analysis, diagramming, computational modeling, GIS mapping, and carbon footprint calculations were completed by the author personally. ArcGIS 20.1, QGIS 3.7.1, and ENVI software packages were used for cartographic and spatial analysis; carbon emission calculations were carried out according to the IPCC 2006 international methodology. Approbation of Research Results: The results of the research have been published in the following scientific journals: 1. Sustainability, 2025, Volume 17, Issue 15, Article 6702, pp. 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156702 2. Sustainability, 2025, Volume 17, Issue 17, Article 7870, pp. 3–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177870 3. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 2023, Volume 14 (Spring), 1(65), pp. 283–292. https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v14.1(65).27 4. Bulletin of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Ecology Series, 2024, No. 4(73), pp. 37–49. https://doi.org/10.26577/EJE.2022.v73.i4.04 5. Bulletin of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Ecology Series, 2025, No. 1(82), pp. 18–28. https://doi.org/10.26577/EJE202582102 6. Scientific and Technical Journal of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 2023, No. 1(93), pp. 15–24. https://doi.org/10.52676/1729–7885–2023–1–5–24 7. Scientific and Technical Journal of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 2024, No. 4(100), pp. 21–34. https://doi.org/10.52676/1729–7885–2024–4–36–42 Structure and Volume of the Dissertation: The dissertation consists of 180 pages, including an introduction, three main chapters, a conclusion, 35 tables, 81 figures, a list of 299 references, and 4 appendices.
Conclusion of the Research Ethics Committee
Defense of the dissertation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC2z90yvU14
