Assessment of the current state of degradation of natural pastures of the Kerbulak district

The article presents materials on the current state of the natural forage lands of the Kerbulak region. Pastures located near the three rural districts Zholaman, Saryozek and Sarybulak were considered as project areas. Using remote sensing (RS) methods, satellite images based on Landsat-8 were processed and a thematic map at a scale of 1: 1,000,000 of soil degradation was compiled, as well as the type of ecological transformation and its degree of impact on agricultural lands leading to disturbance and dehumidification of the land. The article presents data on the dynamics of the annual precipitation and temperature regime of the Kerbulak district of the Almaty region for 2010-2020. Based on these climatic conditions, there was determined nature of their impact on the vegetation cover of pastures. The article identifies desert and semi-desert plant communities that form a natural food base for farm animals. Based on the data provided by the Committee for National Statistics on the number of livestock, the article describes dynamics of the number of livestock over the past 10 years. The article establishes main directions of the development of animal husbandry in this region. Results of the research made it possible to determine the possible causes leading to the processes of desertification and violations of the ecological state in the pastures of the Kerbulak region.