L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, a dissertation defense for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Bektemirova Assel on the topic «Dynamics of geosystems of the Tobol river basin under antropogenic impacts: within the RK» to the educational program «8D05213 – Geography».
The dissertation was carried out at the Department of «Physical and economical geography education department» of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.
The language of defense is russian
Official reviewers:
Bazarbayeva Tursynkul Amankeldiyevna – Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the UNESCO Department for Sustainable Development at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, specialization: 25.00.23 – «Physical Geography and Biogeography, Soil Geography and Landscape Geochemistry», 25.00.36 – «Geoecology» (Almaty c., Republic of Kazakhstan);
Kabiev Erlan Syrymovich – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Acting Associate Professor of the Department of «Geography and tourism» at Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University, specialization: 6D060900 – «Geography» (Atyrau c., Republic of Kazakhstan).
Temporary members of the Dissertation Council:
Kamshat Akpambetova – Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of «Geography» of Karaganda Buketov University, specialty: 25.00.25 – «Geomorphology and evolutionary geography» (Karaganda с., Republic of Kazakhstan);
Aldazhanova Gulnar Bulatovna – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Senior Researcher at the Laboratory of Landscape Studies and Environmental Management Issues, JSC «Institute of Geography and Water Security», specialization: «6D060900 – Geography» (Almaty с., Republic of Kazakhstan);
Kurepina Nadezhda – Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Senior Researcher, Institute of Water and Environmental Problems of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences specialty: 25.00.33 – «Cartography» (Barnaul с., Russian Federation).
Scientific consultants:
Zhanar Ozgeldinova Ozgeldinovna – PhD, Acting Professor of the Department of Physical and Economic Geography Non-profit limited company «Eurasian National University named after L.N. Gumilyov» (Astana c., Republic of Kazakhstan);
Dunets Alexander - Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor, Vice-rector for Scientific and Innovative Development of Altai State University, specialty: 25.00.24 – «Economic, social, political and recreational geography» (Barnaul с., Russian Federation).
The defense will take place on March 19, 2025, at 11:00 AM in the Dissertation Council for the training direction «8D052 – Environment» in the educational program «8D05213 – Geography» of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. Conducting a meeting of the dissertation council in a mixed (offline and online) format.
Address: Astana, st. Kazhymukan, 13, educational building No. 3, meeting room (room No. 333).
Abstract (English): Relevance of the research topic. The history of natural resource use is a crucial factor influencing the current state of geosystems. The legacy effect, which refers to the influence of past impacts on modern soil and vegetation cover, remains an underexplored issue in landscape ecology. Several studies have demonstrated that past conditions (the history of natural resource use) leave a significant imprint on the components of contemporary landscapes. Thus, studying the history of natural resource use helps explain the characteristics of the current component composition and the dynamics of geosystems under anthropogenic impact, as well as enables predictive assessments of environmental changes due to human activities. The study of natural-anthropogenic landscape dynamics is crucial for understanding the processes occurring within geosystems. The interactions between landscape components, such as biotic and abiotic factors, play a key role in the formation and development of geosystems. Understanding these interconnections allows scientists to predict landscape changes and develop measures to ensure their sustainable development. The objective of the dissertation research is to assess the dynamics of geosystems in the Tobol River Basin under anthropogenic impacts and develop a strategy for optimizing the structure of natural resource use in the study region. Research objectives: –analyze the natural factors influencing the formation of geosystems; – examine the territorial structure of natural resource use for the designated study periods; – assess the impact of anthropogenic factors on the landscape-geochemical state of geosystems; – evaluate the dynamics of geosystems under anthropogenic influences; – forecast the dynamics of geosystems considering the specifics of the current and future organization of natural resource use in the study region; – develop recommendations for optimizing the structure of natural resource use in the study region. To achieve the research objective, a combination of innovative and traditional methods was employed, including: comparative-geographical method, geo-information mapping method, geosystem-basin approach, geochemical method, landscape analysis method, satellite monitoring method, mathematical modeling method, statistical method, cartographic method, spatial interpolation methods. Key Provisions for Defense: 1.The dynamics of geosystems in the Tobol River Basin under anthropogenic impact are determined by the heterogeneity (contrast) of land use types, which is influenced by the economic development of the territory. 2.The basis for an integrated assessment of the dynamics of geosystems in the Tobol River Basin under anthropogenic impact is the overlaying procedure of analyzed indicators obtained from field studies and remote sensing data, considering their verification and weight coefficients. This allows for the automated zoning of the study area based on the degree of degradation. 3.The developed optimal land use structure, based on the assessment of geosystem dynamics and its forecasted trends under anthropogenic impact, serves as the foundation for the sustainable development of the Tobol River Basin territory. The dissertation examined theoretical, methodological, and practical issues related to the assessment of geosystem dynamics in the Tobol River Basin under anthropogenic impact. Based on the conducted research and obtained results, the following conclusions were drawn: 1.A total of 78 individual landscapes were identified within the Tobol River watershed and mapped. These landscapes were systematized into a hierarchical system following typological grouping and structural-genetic classification. The legend includes the following classification categories presented as headings and subheadings: Classes: plain landscapes and landscapes of river valleys and lake depressions; Types: plain (forest-steppe, steppe, and semi-desert), valley (meadow, floodplain, liman, solonetz-meadow-steppe, and solonetz-saline); Subtypes: northern steppe, southern steppe. An analysis of the natural and climatic characteristics influencing the development of landscape pollution processes in the Tobol River Basin under intensive anthropogenic activities was conducted. 2.Based on the results of the retrospective analysis of natural resource use for the established study periods (1980, 2000, 2023), maps of natural resource use in the Tobol River Basin were developed. Anthropogenic activities are carried out within the study region and, accordingly, the key factors in landscape dynamics under anthropogenic impact are industrial and agricultural activities: mineral extraction, mechanical engineering, crop farming, livestock grazing, transportation. In general, a focal nature of mining production is observed. For the study area, a background nature of natural resource use (agricultural) is also characteristic. 3. An analysis of the impact of economic activities on the landscape and geochemical state of the studied geosystems was conducted. The study revealed that the composition of pollutants in the elements of the natural environment reflects the diversity of industrial enterprises in the region, where ferrous metallurgy plants dominate. The research identified an uneven distribution of chemical elements and pollutants in the soils and water bodies of the examined area. This unevenness is attributed to the variety of soil-forming rocks, landscape-geochemical factors influencing the migration and accumulation of elements, as well as the impact of industrial and mining enterprises within the basin. A significant increase in nitrite concentrations in water and copper, lead, and nitrate concentrations in soil was observed as the distance to the pollution source (emissions) decreased. 4. Indices with the highest reliability were identified during the verification of index values and field study data for mapping each indicator (soil waterlogging, soil salinization, soil erosion, water bodies, and overall projective coverage). The calculation of the integral indicator of the degree of environmental degradation in the study region, based on the degradation of each indicator under anthropogenic influence, allowed for the identification of landscapes with varying degrees of degradation (ranging from no degradation to very severe degradation). The study confirmed that landscapes with a high degree of degradation under anthropogenic impact are characteristic of semi-desert landscapes in the southern part of the study region. The degradation of these landscapes is associated not only with anthropogenic influences but also with natural and climatic factors affecting the development of landscape pollution processes. In contrast, landscapes with a low degree of degradation correspond to the forest-steppe and steppe zones, which are characterized by a high level of economic development and strong resilience to anthropogenic impacts. 5. The verification of obtained indicators based on field point values determines the reliability of the results to be between 84% and 92%, confirming the accuracy of the selected methods and approaches, particularly the choice of field methods and the selection of vegetative and non-vegetative indices for assessing the chosen indicators. 6. The forest-steppe and steppe landscapes in the northern part of the Tobol River basin are characterized by a high level of resistance to anthropogenic impacts, depending on physical and geographical conditions. However, increasing anthropogenic activity inevitably leads to the degradation of the natural environment in these areas. 7. A forecast of anthropogenic load development within the basin for the year 2050 has been made. The obtained cartographic representation of the prospective organization of the Tobol River basin provides a spatial understanding of the increase in anthropogenic impact during the projected period. According to our research, the most significant growth in anthropogenic impact will occur near the industrial cities of Kostanay, Rudny, Lisakovsk, and Zhitikara, where the development priorities will include the expansion of the raw material base, an increase in processing depth, and comprehensive raw material utilization. 8.Based on the analysis of landscape dynamics under anthropogenic impact using remote sensing (RS) and GIS technologies, an optimal structure for nature management in the study area has been proposed. Depending on the degree of landscape degradation under anthropogenic influence, three modes of nature management are suggested: conservation, extensive, and intensive. 9.The results of the study on the dynamics of landscapes in the Tobol River basin under anthropogenic impact made it possible to develop a set of measures and recommendations aimed at improving the state of geosystems, which can be used in the development of future plans for the studied territory. Based on the obtained results, the following conclusions were formulated: the proposed methodology can be used not only for assessing the dynamics of the study area but also as a basis for improving geoecological research of geosystems aimed at solving practical issues of nature management. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the following: – a medium-scale landscape map was developed using software tools, remote sensing data, and field research results. – a methodology for assessing geosystem dynamics under anthropogenic impact was developed and tested. – a forecast of geosystem dynamics was carried out, considering the specifics of the current and future organization of nature management in the study region. – a set of recommendations for optimizing the structure of nature management was developed. The practical significance of the study is determined by the fact that its results can be used in the development of models for the sustainable development of the region, as well as in monitoring studies of geosystem dynamics to predict possible changes under anthropogenic influence. The obtained research findings may be useful for administrative authorities at the regional and district levels that develop action plans for nature management, as well as for environmental protection committees. Additionally, they can be applied in the design and launch of new economic enterprises. Structure and Content of the Dissertation. The dissertation consists of an introduction, three chapters, a conclusion, a list of references, and five appendices. The main content is presented on 142 pages of typed text and is illustrated with 16 figures and 22 tables. The reference list includes 124 sources. The key findings and conclusions obtained during the dissertation research have been published in six scientific papers. One of these is in a journal recommended by the Committee for Quality Assurance in the Field of Science and Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, four are published in journals indexed in the international Scopus database, and the remaining works have been presented at international scientific-practical conferences. The author's personal contribution is reflected in the independent organization and implementation of all stages of the study, the preparation of publications based on the research results, and their validation in various scientific platforms.
Conclusion of the Research Ethics Committee
Defense of the dissertation: https://youtu.be/WZRyqpgQO9A
