The ribbon-like pine forests of North Kazakhstan represent the principal territorial intrazonal and azonal biotopes. Integrated bio-geographic studies of the pine forests’ status were performed in the Beskaragai and Chaldai Nature Reserves in the Pri-Irtysh River basin within, at present, the climate–change most susceptible transitional parkland-steppe zone of Central Asia, adjoining the West Siberian Lowland. The investigations followed the regional topographic gradient with a series of mapped sites characterizing the spatial relief patterns of the pristine forest distribution and the associated phytocenoses. The results revealed marked natural arboreal cover restoration differences between the geographically close upland and lowland forest ecosystems. The regional tree growth dynamics show the varying intensity of the pine seedlings’ succession, the tree stands’ biomass productivity and the environmental stability, weakened by the extreme continentality and progressing aridification along with adverse anthropogenic ecological impacts. The specific geomorphic, soil and hydrological conditions are the principal determining factors. The more vital plain and lowland pine forests host the floristically richer fescue-dominated communities compared to the more fragile and precipitation-poorer upland pine settings. The latter forest ecosystems display a higher vulnerability to the current climate change, generating tree drying, forest fires, and to modern human activities such as logging, herding and recreation. The research conclusions provide new insights on the natural ribbon-like pine forests’ sustainability and adaptation to the ongoing continental warming triggering fundamental environmental transformations in Central Asia’s parklands.

The forests of Central Asia are biodiversity hotspots at risk from rapid climate change, but they are understudied in terms of the climate–growth relationships of trees. This classical dendroclimatic case study was performed for six conifer forest stands near their semiarid boundaries across Kazakhstan: (1–3) Pinus sylvestris L., temperate forest steppes; (4–5) Picea schrenkiana Fisch. & C.A. Mey, foothills, the Western Tien Shan, southeast; (6) Juniperus seravschanica Kom., montane zone, the Western Tien Shan, southern subtropics. Due to large distances, correlations between local tree-ring width (TRW) chronologies are significant only within species (pine, 0.19–0.50; spruce, 0.55). The most stable climatic response is negative correlations of TRW with maximum temperatures of the previous (from −0.37 to −0.50) and current (from −0.17 to −0.44) growing season. The strength of the positive response to annual precipitation (0.10–0.48) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (0.15–0.49) depends on local aridity. The timeframe of climatic responses shifts to earlier months north-to-south. For years with maximum and minimum TRW, differences in seasonal maximal temperatures (by ~1–3 °C) and precipitation (by ~12–83%) were also found. Heat stress being the primary factor limiting conifer growth across Kazakhstan, we suggest experiments there on heat protection measures in plantations and for urban trees, alongside broadening the coverage of the dendroclimatic net with accents on the impact of habitat conditions and climate-induced long-term growth dynamics.

The deterioration of the health of the visual system of students, registered in modern conditions in the Republic of Kazakhstan, indicates the need to introduce constant monitoring of the health of the visual system of the younger generation living in poor environmental conditions. However, studies on monitoring the growth of eye diseases in students of the southern regions of Kazakhstan, which are necessary for conducting appropriate monitoring, are currently lacking. In this regard, the goal was set to conduct a study among students of biological specialties, as future teachers of biology, on the knowledge of the problems of the visual system as a basis for the subsequent introduction of a methodology to improve the dynamics of growth of eye diseases in students into the course of Human Physiology. Monitoring of the visual system of students, consisting of a questionnaire and a medical examination, revealed the attitude of students to their health and the main pathologies of the organ of vision.

In order to determine the impact of urbanization on raptors in the semi-desert conditions of southwestern Kazakhstan, an analysis of the spatio-temporal distribution of raptors is presented for the first time based on the results of surveys of the avifauna of Kyzylorda. Eight species of raptors were recorded: field Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus), Marsh Harrier (C. aeroginosus), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), Long-Legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus), Eurasian Buzzard (B. buteo), Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis), Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo), and Common Kestrel (F. tinnunculus). The probability of raptors being present was negatively associated with dense urban low-rise buildings with limited greenery in the bay and the new part of the city. At the same time, the dense urban development with little or no greenery in the old central part of the city provides adequate habitat (including a foraging base and nesting sites) for the Common Kestrel. Raptor presence was positively associated with the Syrdarya River floodplain and wasteland with small groups of trees and/or shrubs. The landfill site located on the north-eastern edge of the city serves as a feeding ground for the Long-Legged and Eurasian Buzzards, while the airport area is inhabited by the Eurasian Buzzard, Steppe Eagle, and Common Kestrel. Based on this study, we would recommend that enterprises (e.g., grain storage facilities, airports) and local executive bodies who are interested in the conservation of raptors and regulating the population of the pigeons around their territories should retain or plant more native vegetation and shrubs and preserve areas with green spaces.

"Цели устойчивого развития ООН представляют собой набор амбициозных целей, направленных на процветание стран. Как отметил в своем послании глава Республики Казахстан Касым-Жомарт Токаев, в число ключевых задач развития Казахстана входит обеспечение экологического образования и охраны окружающей среды. В статье рассмотрены вопросы по реализации устойчивого развития в высших учебных заведениях. На примере был рассмотрен «Международный Университет Астана», в котором демонстрируются основные направления экологического образования и внедрение стратегий устойчивого развития. Были рассмотрены проекты, связанные с экологическим образованием, семинары по повышению экологической культуры, а также шаги внедрения устойчивого развития в университете. Экологическое образование играет существенную роль в формировании понимания и осознания человеком его взаимодействия с окружающей средой. Это образование не просто передает знания о природе и экосистемах, оно направлено на развитие навыков анализа, критического мышления и принятия осознанных решений в отношении окружающей среды. Современное экологическое образование стремится не только обучать о природе, но и воспитывать ответственное отношение к окружающей среде. Оно выстраивает путь к осознанному потреблению, эффективному использованию ресурсов и устойчивому развитию, учитывая интересы текущих и будущих поколений Ключевые слова: устойчивое развитие, экологическое образование, управление ресурсами, сортировка отходов, переработка отходов. "

This article presents the process of developing, implementing, and testing the electronic textbook “Interactive Environmental Lessons: Digital Technologies and Methodological Approaches” within the framework of environmental education. The study combines theoretical analysis of modern interactive educational resources - including gamification, virtual and augmented reality, web platforms, and mobile applications - with practical testing of the developed digital textbook in real educational settings. A total of 20 environmental lessons were conducted with the participation of students from various educational institutions in Kazakhstan. The testing evaluated the textbook’s effectiveness in improving students’ environmental literacy, engagement, and ability to apply sustainable development principles in practice. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through questionnaires, observation, and feedback analysis. The results demonstrated a significant increase in environmental awareness, active participation, and retention of material. The article also discusses technical and methodological challenges encountered during implementation and offers recommendations for integrating interactive digital textbooks into the educational process to foster sustainable environmental competencies.