Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Climate Change Impacts on High-Altitude Ecosystems pp 1–48Cite as

High-Altitude Flora and Vegetation of Kazakhstan and Climate Change Impacts

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

Mountainous systems of Kazakhstan occupy less than 9 % of the country’s area, but they embody over 60 % of Kazakhstan’s plant species diversity. Being the centers of floristic genesis, mountainous ecosystems are characterized by a maximum diversity of rare, endemic, and economically valuable species. We investigated the current state of flora and vegetation and patterns of altitudinal zonality in three mountain systems: the Altai (the southern Altai ridges), the North Tien Shan (the Kyrghyz Alatau range), the western Tien Shan (the Talass and Ugam ridges) to reveal plant response to the climate change as well as to identify vulnerable species and predict possible ways of migration and dynamics of the mountain belts.

The space images of different years were used for the estimation of glacier area changes and for the prediction of plant cover dynamics under climate change conditions. There is a recession of glaciers and snowfields by 46 % in the Southern Altai, and by 50 % in the Kyrghyz Alatau. During past 11 years, glaciers and snowfields in Kazakhstani part of the western Tien Shan has increased by 17 %.

Colonization of highland plant groups has already commenced in the areas vacant from glaciers. A soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) was used for the areas with sparse plant cover (< 30 %), typical of high mountains. The “sparse plant cover” area class has expanded by 97 km2 in the southern Altai, by 54 km2—in the Kyrghyz Alatau, and by 29 km2 in the western Tien Shan. The reason for this is the overgrowth of the open surfaces free from ice and snow as well as of aridization processes. Altitudinal limit of plant habitats has ascended by 200 m in the southern Altai and by 100 m—in the western Tien Shan on average basis. It is still early to discuss the shifts of altitudinal belts in the Kyrghyz Alatau range. All the data illustrate that the vegetation of mountain systems has undergone reconstruction. Decrease in the SAVI values is possibly connected with ecosystem aridization resulting in less abundance of some species, reduction in percentage vegetation cover and biomass. Against the background of the general xerophytization of plant cover, rare, endemic, and threatened plants seem to be particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, as well as plants and communities of a small environmental range.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aitken SN, Yeaman S, Holliday JA, Wang T, Curtis-McLane S (2008) Adaptation, migration or extirpation: climate change outcomes for tree populations. Evol Appl 1:95–111

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aizen VB (2011a) Altai-Sayan glaciers/encyclopedia of snow, ice and glaciers. In: Singh VP, Singh P. Haritashya Springer Publisher, UK, p. 1253

    Google Scholar 

  • Aizen VB (2011b) Tien Shan glaciers/Encyclopedia of snow, ice and glaciers. In: Singh VP, Singh P. Haritashya Springer Publisher, UK, p. 1253

    Google Scholar 

  • Aizen VB, Aizen EM, Melack J, Ozier J (1997) Climatic and hydrologic changes in the Tien Shan, central Asia. J Climate 10:1393–1404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aizen VB, Aizen EM, Surazakov AB, Nikitin SA (2008) Is Central Asia really existed? Proceedings: AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, GC53C–07

    Google Scholar 

  • Aralbay NК, Mukhtubayeva SК, Shormanova АА, Danilov MP, Zakirova RО (2007) The state cadastre of Zhambyl oblast plants. Almaty. 506 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Assing IА, Orlova МА, Serpikov SК, Sokolov SI, Storozhenko DМ (1967) The soils of Dzhambul Oblast. Alma-Ata. 366 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Baytulin IO, Kotukhov YuA (2011) Flora of vascular plants of Kazakhstani Altai. Almaty, 158 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Boldyrev VM (1978) Rivers of the eastern Kazakhstan/nature conditions and natural resources of the eastern Kazakhstan. Almaty, pp. 106–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Bulavkin АК, Zhaymin МI Mukhrovskaya ЕI, Orlovskaya ER, Sakulina GV (1971) The Karatau ridge and the Talass Alatau extensions. Geology of the USSR. Vol. XL, Book. 1 (Triassic and Jurassic systems). Moscow, pp. 366–369

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang ZhF, Zhu ShJ, Han FG, Zhong ShN (2012) Differences in response of desert plants of different ecotypes to climate warming: a case study in Minqin, northwest China. J Arid Land 4(2):140–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cherepanov SK (1995) Vascular plants of Russia and adjacent states (the former USSR). Cambridge University Press, New York, p. 516

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimeyeva LA, Sultanova BM, Ogar NP, Islamgulova AF, Permitina VN, Sadvokasov RE, Kerdyashkin AV, Govorukhina SA (2012) Spatial vegetation structure of the South Altai Mountain ridges/Proceedings of Int Conf “Problems of Botany of South Siberia and Mongolia” Barnaul, pp. 69–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Durasov АМ, Tazabekov ТТ (1981) Soils of Kazakhstan. Kaynar: Alma-Ata, 150 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Erschbamer B, Kiebacher Th, Mallaun M, Unterluggauer P (2009) Short-term signals of climate change along an altitudinal gradient in the south Alps. Plant Ecol 202:79–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Filonets PP, Petin VA et al (1978) Lakes of Eastern-Kazakhstan region. Nature conditions and natural resources of the Eastern Kazakhstan. Almaty, pp. 212–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Galitski VV (1968) Water resources in the cobalt-copper-magnesium deposit of Irisu. Proceedings of Hydrology and Geophysics Institute. Regional hydrological researches in Kazakhstan. Alma-Ata Vol 1

    Google Scholar 

  • Geldyeva GV, Egorova RV (1978) Landscapes of the Southern Altai/Nature conditions and natural resources of the eastern Kazakhstan. Alma-Ata, pp. 82–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghirkina LN (1965) The main soil types in the Aksu-Jabagly Natural Reserve, 2

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibatullin SR, Yasinski VA, Mironenkov ÐP (2009) Climate change impact on water resources in Central Asia. Sectoral Study. 41 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Ionov RN (2003) Vulnerability and adaptation of herbaceous communities plant cover under the global warming of climate/herald of the Kyrghyz-Russian Slavic University. Vol 3, 6. http://krsu.edu.kg/vestnik/2003/v6/a11.html

  • Isayev EB (1993) Synopsis of flora of the southern Altai range. Almaty, 125 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivashchenko ÐÐ (2001) Floristic novelties of Kazakhstani Tien Shan/The Study and Protection of Vegetation in Kazakhstan. Almaty, pp. 46–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Jangaliev AD (1977) Wild apple-trees of Kazakhstan. Nauka: Alma-Ata, 281 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamelin RV (1973) Florogenetic study of natural flora in the mountainous central Asia. Nauka: Leningrad, 195 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Karmysheva NH (1973) Flora and vegetation of the Aksu-Jabagly reserved area. Nauka: Alma-Ata, 176 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Karmysheva NH (1982) Flora and vegetation of the Talass Alatau western extensions. Nauka: Alma-Ata, 160 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Karmysheva NH, Ivashchenko АА (1983) New and rare flowering plants in the Aksu-Jabagly reserved Area. Bot Mater Herb of Bot Inst AcSc KazSSR (13):7–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Konovalov VG (2012) Glaciation dynamics in central Asia from the remote sensing materials. Mod Prob Earth Satell Remote Sens 9(1):281–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Korovin ÐP (1961/1962) Vegetation of the South Kazakhstan and Central Asia: in 2 vs. Tashkent, V 1: 452 pp, V 2: 547 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Kotukhov YuA (1990) New species of hybrid genera x Elymotrigia (Poaceae) from the Eastern Kazakhstan. Bot J 12(75):1735–1757

    Google Scholar 

  • Malakhov DV, Islamgulova ÐF (2014) Parametric identification of rangelands: an experience of application of low and medium resolution remote sensing data. Atmosphere and ocean optics.Tomsk 27(7):587–592

    Google Scholar 

  • Mamytov ÐM (1987) The soils of central Asian and Southern Kazakhstan mountains. Ilim, Frunze, 310 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Menzel A et al (2006) European phenological response to climate change matches the warming pattern. Global Change Biol 12:1969–1976

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Atlas of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2010) Almaty, 1, 125 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • National Strategy and Action Plan for Sustainable Development of Mountainous Territories of Kazakhstan (2001) Almaty http://www.ecoportalca.kz/regional-mountain-centre/2-2

  • Nikolaeva CM, Muzalevskaya LA (1978) Geology/Nature conditions and natural resources of the Eastern Kazakhstan. Nauka: Almaty, pp. 12–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Orlandi F, Ruga L, Romano B, Fornaciari M (2005) Olive flowering as an indicator of local climatic changes. Theor Appl Climatol 81:169–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ozturk M, Secmen O, Gork G (eds) (1996a) Plant life in southwest and central Asia, vol. I. Ege University Press Izmir, Turkey, 499 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozturk M, Secmen O, Gork G (Eds.) (1996b) Plant life in southwest and central Asia, vol. I. Ege University Press Izmir, Turkey, 1093 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozturk M (1998) Importance of national parks in environmental education. Ekoloji 7(26):4

    Google Scholar 

  • Celik A, Baslar S, Guvensen A, Ozturk M (2003) Role of national parks in TURKEY—a case study from Dilek Peninsula-Great menderes delta national park. Pakistan J Botany 35(5):641–658

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozturk M, Gucel S, Sakcali S, Gork C, Yarci C, Gork G (2008) An overview of plant diversity and land degradation interactions in the eastern Mediterranean. Chapter 15. In: Efe et al (ed) Natural environment and culture in the mediterranean region. Cambridge Scholars Publ, UK, pp. 215–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozturk M, Aksoy A, Gucel S, Altundag E (2010a) Biodiversity & conservation—a case study from Europe & Turkey. Proceedings of 2nd International Conference. In: Bhatti R, Soomro SA (eds) “Biodiversity is our Life” (IC Biour-Life), Center for Biod. & Cons., Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Pakistan, pp. 001–012

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozturk M, Gucel S, Kucuk M, Sakcali S (2010b) Forest, climate change & forest fires in the mediterranean region of Turkey. J Environ Biol-Special Issue 31:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozturk M, Efe R, Celik A, Sakcali SM, Altay V (2012) Comprartive study on biogeography of protected and degraded habitats in Dilek Peninsula, Turkey. J Balkan Ecol 15(4):383–392

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavlov NV, Lipshits SYu (1934) Draft of floristic elements of the Syrdarya Karatau. Soviet botany 6

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavlov VN (1970) New and rare species of the Western Tien Shan. News of Syst High Plants 6:276–283

    Google Scholar 

  • Proskuryakov МА (2010) Gradient and chronobiological Study of Plants for Improvement of Natural Use in Highlands / Proceedings of Int. conference “Actual problems of economic botany” Almaty, pp. 14–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Proskurykov МА (2012) Chronobiological study of plants under climate change. LEM: Almaty, 228 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Proskurykov МА, Zaychenko ОP, Babay IV, Masalova VА, Nabieva SV, Ishaeva АN, Ismailova NА, Husainova IV (2013) Chronobiological study of plant correlations in their adaptation to climate. Proceedings of Int. Conf. “Current state of Botanical Diversity Studies in Kazakhstan. Almaty, pp 140–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Puzyryova АА (1975) Climatic zoning of the Southern Kazakhstan. Nauka: Alma-Ata, 226 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Rachkovskaya EI (2006) Vegetation/Republic of Kazakhstan. Almaty, 1, 363–393 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Rachkovskaya EI, Volkova ÐÐ, Hramtsov VN (eds.) (2003) Botanical geography of Kazakhstan and Central Asia (within the desert area). Saint Petersburg, 423 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Reference Book on Climate of Kazakhstan (long-term data) (2004) East Kazakhstan oblast. Kazhydromet: Almaty, 10, 511 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Reference Book on Climate of Kazakhstan (long-term data) (2004a) South Kazakhstan oblast. Kazhydromet: Almaty, 12, 251 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Reference Book on Climate of Kazakhstan (long-term data) (2004b) Zhambyl oblast. Kazhydromet: Almaty, 13, 294 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Republic of Kazakhstan (2006) Natural conditions and resources. In: Iskakov NA, Medeu AR (eds). Almaty, 1, 506 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Research and applied Reference Book on agroclimatic Resources of the USSR (1992) Average data from 1951 to 1985. Republic of Kazakhstan. Hydrometcentre: Alma-Ata, 2, 1 (18) 411 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubtsov NI (1955) Geobotanical zoning of the northern Tien Shan. Bull Kaz SSR AcSc Biol Ser 10:3–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubtsov NI (1966) Kobresia communities of Tien Shan/highland vegetation and its economic utilization. Nauka: Leningrad, pp. 255–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Serpikov SК et al. (1965) A brief description of the soils and land resources of Dzhambul oblast. Nauka: Alma-Ata, 90 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Shlyghin АЕ (1971) The main features of geological structure/Geology of the USSR. Nedra: Moscow, 40(1):23–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokolov AA (1977) General peculiarities of soils and soil formation in the Eastern Kazakhstan. Nauka, Alma-Ata

    Google Scholar 

  • Surazakov AB, Aizen VB, Nikitin SA (2007) Glacier area and river runoff changes in the head of Ob river basins during the last 50 Years. Environmental Research Letters. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/2/4/045017

  • The List of Rare and Threatened Plant Species (Red List) (2006) Approved by the RK Government Decree N1034 of Oct. 31. Astana

    Google Scholar 

  • The Relief of Kazakhstan (1991) Explanatory note to the geomorphologic map of the Kazakh SSR scaled 1:1 500,000. Hylym: Alma-Ata, 2, pp 33–34

    Google Scholar 

  • The Second National Paper of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the Conference of the UM Framework Convention Parties on Climate Change (2009) Astana, 190 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Titova LI (2002) Report on the theme: Basic Scenarion for Republic of Kyrghyzstan until 2100—Bishkek

    Google Scholar 

  • Vegetation of Kazakhstan and Middle Asia (desert region) (1995) Explanatory text and Legend to the Map/Rachkovskaya EI (ed) Saint-Petersburg, pp. 129

    Google Scholar 

  • Uysal I, Celik S, Karabacak E, Ozturk M (2011) Plant Species Microendemism, Rarity and Conservation of Pseudo-Alpine Zone of Kazdagi (Mt. Ida) National Park in Turkey. Procedia Soc Behav Sci 19:778–786 (Elsevier)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhikhareva GА, Kurmangaliev АB, Sokolov АА (1969) The soils of Chimkent Oblast. Nauka: Alma-Ata, pp. 160

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou L, Tucker CJ, Kaufmann RK (2001) Variation in northern vegetation activity inferred from satellite data of vegetation index during 1981 to 1999. J Geophys Res 106(D170):20069–20083

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ministry of Education and Science, Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, Almaty, Kazakhstan

    L. A. Dimeyeva, G. T. Sitpayeva, B. M. Sultanova, K. Ussen & A. F. Islamgulova

Authors
  1. L. A. Dimeyeva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. T. Sitpayeva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. B. M. Sultanova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. K. Ussen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. F. Islamgulova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. A. Dimeyeva .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey

    Münir Öztürk

  2. Faculty of Forestry, University Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    Khalid Rehman Hakeem

  3. Faculty of Forestry, University Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    I. Faridah-Hanum

  4. Department of Geogaraphy, Balikesir University, Balikesir, Turkey

    Recep Efe

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Dimeyeva, L., Sitpayeva, G., Sultanova, B., Ussen, K., Islamgulova, A. (2015). High-Altitude Flora and Vegetation of Kazakhstan and Climate Change Impacts. In: Öztürk, M., Hakeem, K., Faridah-Hanum, I., Efe, R. (eds) Climate Change Impacts on High-Altitude Ecosystems. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12859-7_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation