Integrative analysis of the adaptation of the genus Betula and anthropogenic impact in the forest-steppe landscapes of the North Kazakhstan region
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32523/2616-6771-2025-153-4-133-147Keywords:
landscape, anthropogenic pressure, climate variability, Betula pendula (silver birch), Betula pubescens (downy birch), ecosystem resilience, geoinformation technologiesAbstract
This article reveals the physiological and ecological attributes of birch trees adapted to the harsh continental climate of the North Kazakhstan region. The region's landscapes primarily consist of forest-steppe and steppe zones. The northern part is characterized by meadow-forest landscapes, the central part by typical birch forest-steppes, and the southern part by a distinct steppe character. The highest level of forest cover (up to 20%) is observed in the saline plains of the north. This indicator plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region. Twenty types of landscapes have been identified in the region, 13 of which belong to the forest-steppe and 7 to the steppe landscape. Fertile chernozems and birch groves (kolks) are widespread in the accumulative plains. In the denudational, slightly undulating plains, southern chernozems and salt marshes are more common, dominated by fescue-feather grass plant communities. The birch species Betula pendula (silver birch) and Betula pubescens (downy birch) form the central core of the region's phytocenoses and appear in the form of fragmented "forest groves." Their physiological and ecological adaptation features allow them to exist sustainably within the complex continental climate. Comprehensive study and conservation of birch populations are essential for regulating soil-water balance, preserving biodiversity, and increasing socio-economic importance. Ensuring their ecological stability requires special protection measures, including the use of modern geoinformation technologies. This research is considered a vital step toward effective natural resource management and the minimization of degradation processes.
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