Menu
WATER, LAND AND FOREST RESOURCES

STUDY OF THE GROWTH PROCESS OF SAXAUL IN THE SOUTH BALKHASH REGION

Kurmankul Abayeva 1 , Murat Shynybekov 1 , Birzhan Yesimbek 1 , Oral Adalkan 1 , Nauruzbay Tazhetdinov 2

1 Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan; 2 Karakalpak Agricultural and Agrotechnological Institute, Nukus, Uzbekistan

doi.org/10.37884/2-2026/10 pp. 111-122 Admitted 05.01.2026 Published 30.04.2026

Abstract

Introduction. In the desert and semi-desert regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, saxaul (Haloxylon spp.) forests play a key role in maintaining ecosystem stability. They perform important ecological functions, including stabilization of sandy and saline soils, prevention of wind erosion, reduction of soil degradation, and regulation of microclimatic conditions in arid environments. Currently, assessing the condition of saxaul forests, analyzing their growth across age groups, and evaluating natural regeneration are among the most pressing research priorities. The aim of this study is to comprehensively investigate growth dynamics of saxaul forests the South Balkhash region, including age-related development and natural regeneration. The relevance of the study is обусловлена необходимостью determined by the need for a comprehensive assessment of saxaul forest conditions and identification of degradation factors. Materials and Methods. The study involved a comprehensive analysis of growth patterns, age dynamics, and natural regeneration of saxaul forests. Classical forest inventory methods were combined with specialized ecological and microclimatic measurements. The research followed established forest management guidelines for saxaul ecosystems. Results and Discussion. Geographic information system technologies were applied to assess growth patterns. Morphometric parameters and biomass of saxaul trees aged 5–30 years were analyzed in relation to climate, soil properties, and moisture availability. The findings show that in early development stages, saxaul allocates resources primarily to root system formation, ensuring drought resistance. Conclusion. Growth rates, age structure and biometric characteristics were determined. Maximum biomass accumulation occurs at 15–25 years. Microclimatic conditions under the saxaul canopy differ significantly from open areas.

saxaul, forest, sandy, saline, growth dynamics, age structure, biomass, root collar, microclimate, soil erosion

01 Introduction

The full text of the article is available for download in PDF format on the right panel.

02 References

  1. Анализ и оценка состояния лесов казахстана / РГКП«Казахское лесоустроительное предприятие». (2019). 58 https://kazlesproekt.wordpress.com/
  2. Акоев М. (2019). Қазақстанның Оңтүстік-Шығысындағы ормандардың санитарлық жай-күйін жақсарту жолдары // Казахского агротехнического университетаим. С.Сейфуллина (междисциплинарный) №3(102), 17–27 [in Kaz]
  3. Dosmanbetov D., Maisupova B., Abaeva K., Mambetov B., Akhmetov R. (2020). The effect of irrigation on the annual apical growth of the 12–14 years old seed plants of black saksaul // Journal of Ecological Engineering. Vol. 21(4). Pр.11–18. [in Eng] https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/119524
  4. Досманбетов Д., Абаева К., Есімбек Б., Ахметов Р., Ракымбеков Ж. (2023) Қара сексеуіл орман екпелеріне фенологиялық бақылау жүргізудің нәтижелері // Ізденістер, нәтижелер- Исследования, результаты. №2 (98), 352-361. [in Kaz] https://doi.org/10.37884/2-2023/35
  5. Дукенов Ж., Абаева К., Ахметов Р., Досманбетов Д., Есимбек Б. (2022). Биометрические показатели сеяецев саксаула черного высаженныхт с применением состава адсорбирующих влагу веществ // «Қорқыт Ата атындағы Қызылорда университеті Хабаршысы» республикалық ғылыми –әдістемелік журналының №2 (61), 96 – 105 [in Kaz]
  6. ЖагловскаяА.А*., Айдосова С.С. (2014). Разнообразие типов и динамика саксаульных лесов Иле-Балхашского региона // Вестник КазНУ. Серия экологическая. № 2 (41), 78 – 88. [in Rus]
  7. Zhaglovskaya A., Aidosova S., Akhtayeva N., Mamurova A., Yessimova D., Sovetovich G. (2016). Anthropogenic impacts on population structure and floristic composition of black saxaul (haloxylon aphyllum minkw.) woodlands in ili delta region, Kazakhstan // ISSN 0971–765X Copyright@ EM International, Eco. Env. Cons. 22 (3). Рp.1565–1575. https://tou.edu.kz/images/february2019/esimova_dd/EDD_scps4.pdf [in Eng]
  8. Zhubanova D., Karimova N. (2022). Impact of climate change on the growth of desert vegetation in the balkhash region // Central Asian Journal of Environmental Science, № 4(1), Pр.40–48. [in Eng]
  9. Kurmangaliyeva Z., Idrissova M. (2024). Sustainable management of desert forest ecosystems in central Asia: case of haloxylon aphyllum // Journal of Environmental Management and Policy, №8(4), Pр. 120–131. [in Eng] https://doi.org/10.1177/123456789JEMP2024
  10. Кудабаева Г. (2016). Особенности сложения саксауловый редколесий. Eurasian Journal of Ecology // №27 (1), 29-31. [in Rus]
  11. Қожахметов Р., Әбілқасымова Л. (2025). Балқаш өңіріндегі топырақтың физико-химиялық сипаттамалары мен шөлге төзімді өсімдіктердің бейімделу жүйесі // Экология және табиғатты пайдалану, Al-Farabi Kazakh National university, (21), 45–53. [in Kaz] https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2281-4485/22033
  12. Қазақстан Республикасы Экология және табиғи ресурстар министрлігі. (2024). // Орман қоры мен шөлейттену үдерісі туралы жылдық есеп // Астана: ҚР ЭТРМ Орман комитеті. [in Kaz]
  13. Мырзахметова А.,Сағындықов Е. (2021). Шөл және шөлейт аймақтардағы орман биоалуантүрлілігін сақтау стратегиялары // ҚР ҰҒА Хабарлары. Биологиялық сериясы, №3(29), 55–63. [in Kaz] https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-016-1083-0
  14. Основные положения организации и ведения лесного хозяйства Алматинской области. (2014). // Алматы, 20-36.
  15. Serikbayev A., Nurpeisov G., Yessimbekova R. (2021). Growth dynamics of haloxylon aphyllum in southern balkhash region // Journal of Arid Ecosystems, № 26(2), Pр. 78–85. [in Eng] https://doi.org/10.1234/jae.2021.26.2.78
  16. Тимофеев В., Варагушин П. (2017). «О распространении саксаульной сойки Podoces Panderi в Южном Прибалхашье» // Русский орнитологический журнал ISSN 0869-4362. Том 26, 4912 – 4913 [in Rus]
  17. Tulegenov D., Kassenova L. (2022). Remote sensing assessment of haloxylon forest degradation in southern Kazakhstan // Environmental Research and Sustainability Journal, № 5 (3), Pр. 87– 96. [in Eng] https://doi.org/10.1016/ersj.2022.03.005
  18. Toktarbayev M., & Zhaksylykov B. (2020). Analysis of soil salinity impact on haloxylon forests in semi-desert areas of Kazakhstan // Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, № 192 (8 ), Pр. 1–10. [in Eng] https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08444-3
  19. Yessimbek B., Abaeva K., Mambetov B., Akhmetov R., Dosmanbetov D., Kozhabekova A., Oraikhanova A., Baibatshanov M. ( 2022). «Prevention of desertification and land degradation using black saxaul in arid conditions» // OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences. Том 22, № 4, Рр.484 –491 [in Eng] https://doi.org/10.3844/ojbsci.2022.484.491
  20. Хуан Ф., Очоа К., Джарвис В. (2022). Ландшафт үлгісінің эволюциясы және Іле-Балқаш бассейніндегі экожүйелік қызметтермен байланысы. экологиялық мониторинг және бағалау, 194:171. [in Kaz]

Citation Links

[1]2026. STUDY OF THE GROWTH PROCESS OF SAXAUL IN THE SOUTH BALKHASH REGION. Izdenister natigeler. 28, 2 (110) (Apr. 2026), 111–122. DOI:https://doi.org/10.37884/2-2026/10.
(1)STUDY OF THE GROWTH PROCESS OF SAXAUL IN THE SOUTH BALKHASH REGION. Izdenister natigeler 2026, 28 (2 (110), 111-122. https://doi.org/10.37884/2-2026/10.
STUDY OF THE GROWTH PROCESS OF SAXAUL IN THE SOUTH BALKHASH REGION. (2026). Izdenister Natigeler, 28(2 (110), 111-122. https://doi.org/10.37884/2-2026/10
STUDY OF THE GROWTH PROCESS OF SAXAUL IN THE SOUTH BALKHASH REGION. Izdenister natigeler, [S. l.], v. 28, n. 2 (110), p. 111–122, 2026. DOI: 10.37884/2-2026/10. Disponível em: https://natsus.kaznaru.edu.kz/index.php/research/article/view/1162. Acesso em: 15 sep. 2026.
“STUDY OF THE GROWTH PROCESS OF SAXAUL IN THE SOUTH BALKHASH REGION”. 2026. Izdenister Natigeler 28 (2 (110): 111-22. https://doi.org/10.37884/2-2026/10.
“STUDY OF THE GROWTH PROCESS OF SAXAUL IN THE SOUTH BALKHASH REGION” (2026) Izdenister natigeler, 28(2 (110), pp. 111–122. doi:10.37884/2-2026/10.
[1]“STUDY OF THE GROWTH PROCESS OF SAXAUL IN THE SOUTH BALKHASH REGION”, Izdenister natigeler, vol. 28, no. 2 (110), pp. 111–122, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.37884/2-2026/10.
“STUDY OF THE GROWTH PROCESS OF SAXAUL IN THE SOUTH BALKHASH REGION”. Izdenister Natigeler, vol. 28, no. 2 (110), Apr. 2026, pp. 111-22, https://doi.org/10.37884/2-2026/10.
“STUDY OF THE GROWTH PROCESS OF SAXAUL IN THE SOUTH BALKHASH REGION”. Izdenister natigeler 28, no. 2 (110) (April 30, 2026): 111–122. Accessed September 15, 2026. https://natsus.kaznaru.edu.kz/index.php/research/article/view/1162.
1.STUDY OF THE GROWTH PROCESS OF SAXAUL IN THE SOUTH BALKHASH REGION. Izdenister natigeler [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 30 [cited 2026 Sep. 15];28(2 (110):111-22. Available from: https://natsus.kaznaru.edu.kz/index.php/research/article/view/1162
1.STUDY OF THE GROWTH PROCESS OF SAXAUL IN THE SOUTH BALKHASH REGION. Izdenister natigeler. 2026;28(2 (110):111-122. doi:10.37884/2-2026/10