Wildfires in the Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve and their potential impact on ungulate migrations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32523/dpw9wf11Keywords:
steppe wildfires, remote sensing, satellite-based research, Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve, adjacent territories, pyrogenic factor, ungulate migrations, KazakhstanAbstract
Steppes and semi-deserts are arid ecosystems with seasonal climate, limited water resources, and a high risk of wildfires. The Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve is located in the South Turgai physico-geographical province of the Eurasian steppe, encompassing the northwestern range of the Betpak-Dala saiga population which is the largest in terms of distribution area. The region includes traditional calving grounds and saigas’ migration routes, and during winters with low snow cover, part of the population remains in the area year-round. In addition, reintroduction programs for Przewalski’s horse and kulan are being implemented in the arid and desertified steppes of Kazakhstan. Therefore, studying the ecological situation in the region is both important and timely. The aim of this study is to analyze wildfires in the Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve and assess their potential impact on ungulate migrations. The objectives are comprehensive analysis of wildfire frequency and of burned areas sizes within the reserve during the period 2000–2025 using remote sensing methods. During the study period, 51 wildfires were recorded within the boundaries of the reserve, with a total area of 1376299 hectares have been burnt. An increase in the population of the Betpak-Dala saiga, combined with droughts and wildfires, have led to mass migrations of saiga to the northern parts of Kostanay Region, resulting in significant damage to grain crop fields. To reduce wildfire-related damage, early detection based on modern satellite monitoring technologies is strongly required.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Татьяна Брагина, Гульжиян Кабдулова, Daniker Chepashev, Arsen Shinguzhinov , Gulsezim Zhussupova, Dias Merekeyev, Yelizaveta Maksimkina , Anar Baiteliyeva (Автор)
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