Analysis of fire dynamics in the Naurzum Nature Reserve and adjacent areas using satellite data
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32523/2616-6771-2025-153-4-73-89Keywords:
remote sensing, satellite research, wildfires, Naurzum Reserve, adjacent territories, Kostanay RegionAbstract
Wildfires are one of the major drivers of short-term and long-term ecosystem change, including within protected natural areas. The number and intensity of fires have increased significantly due to land use expansion, climate change, and the socio-economic conditions of local populations. The main objective of this study was a long-term analysis (2000–2024) of fire frequency and burned area within the boundaries of the Naurzum State Nature Reserve (2000–2025) and in the adjacent territories. The importance of this research is highlighted by the high conservation status of the Naurzum State Nature Reserve as a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan.” Modern satellite image analysis technologies and databases (Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2) were used to conduct the study. Thermal hotspots, observation dates, and burned areas were taken into account. For the first time, it was demonstrated that during the period from 2000 to 2024, a total of 29 wildfires occurred, with a combined burned area of 833,589 ha, of which 236,300 ha were within the reserve’s boundaries. To minimize the consequences of wildfires, preventive measures are proposed through continuous monitoring and assessment of valuable natural heritage areas using modern Earth remote sensing technologies. The results of the study include the number and extent of burned areas that have influenced the biodiversity of the reserve over an extended period.
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Copyright (c) 2025 T. Bragina, G. Kabdulova, D. Chepashev, G. Zhusupova, A. Shinguzhinov, R. Zhilkibaev, Ye. Maximkina (Author)
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