Assessment of the sustainability of landscapes of the north-Kazakhstan region to agricultural impact

Abstract

The article deals with the research of sustainability of landscapes of North Kazakhstan region under conditions of long-term agrogenic load. In this connection and basing on the developed system of indicators there was carried out the assessment of geosystems' conditions and levels of their sustainability to the influence of human agricultural activities. The assessment was made according to thirteen indicators characterizing forming factors, landscapes functional conditions and properties of their main components. Assessment methods were based on the use of different specified rates that were transferred to a relative value (points) and were ranked according to variability (sustainability) of each landscape under direct or indirect agricultural exposure. Besides, this work performs spatial analysis and typology of the regional landscapes according to the index of potential resistance to agricultural influence. It was defined that the most resistant to agricultural human activities landscapes of Northern and central parts of the region are located within forest-steppe natural zone. Low potential resistance is typical of the landscapes located in the South-East of the region within dry steppe subzone and in the landscapes of the river Yesil valley. The level of steppe zone landscapes resistance to agricultural impact is defined as relatively stable. This work provides recommendations on restoration of ecological balance and establishing of stable functioning of the landscapes.