Tastanbekova A, Kulymbet K, Kurmanbayeva M, Höhn M, Zhumagul M, Abduraimov O, Issayev GI, Alshynbayev O, Toktar M, Smanov Z. 2025. Implications of population size, structure, and soil parameters for the conservation of Allochrusa gypsophiloides in Kazakhstan. Biodiversitas 26: 2051-2064. The study examines the distribution, population size, and ecological conditions of Allochrusa gypsophiloides in the Karatau Mountain Range, Kazakhstan. This rare species, listed in the Red Data Book, was found in four populations (P1-P4): Sayasu Gorge (P1), Kuyuk Pass (P2), and The Vicinity of Birlik (P3) and Kenestobe Villages (P4). Geobotanical research assessed species composition, plant communities, and ontogenetic structure using Uranov’s classification. Soil properties, including humus content, nutrient levels, and pH, were analyzed. The total number of A. gypsophiloides individuals across all sites was 91, with low population densities (0.15-0.29 individuals/m²). Age structure analysis revealed no senile individuals, with generative individuals predominating in two populations. Generative (g1) individuals accounted for 20.0% in P1 and 18.52%, 24.14%, and 33.34% in P2-P4, respectively. Post-generative (sub-senile) individuals were rare (0-13.34%). Despite a relatively stable age composition, low population density remains a concern. Soils across populations shared similar characteristics: low humus and nutrient content, moderately to strongly alkaline pH, and sandy loam to medium loam textures. The species' restricted distribution, low density, and specific soil requirements make it highly vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities. Conservation efforts of A. gypsophiloides should be aimed at protecting key habitats (Sayasu Gorge, Kuyuk Pass, and The Vicinity of Birlik and Kenestobe) with limited economic activity, introducing a system for long-term monitoring of the number and age structure of populations using standardized techniques, as well as assessing opportunities for reintroduction of the species to suitable sites. Further research on reproductive biology and ecological interactions is essential for ensuring the species' long-term survival in the Syrdarya Karatau Mountain Range.

The article presents the results of the study of ecological characteristics of soils of three populations on the territory of Karatau. The populations were located in different geographical points with differences in soil types, depth of horizons and content of chemical elements. The study evaluated the main soil parameters including humus content, pH, CO2, macro- and microelements, and salinity level. It was found that population-1 (mountain gray-brown soils) was characterized by the highest content of humus and mobile nitrogen, indicating better availability of nutrients to plants. population-2 (mountain southern serozems) has higher potassium content, which is favourable for plant growth. population-3 (mountain gray-brown soils) showed the lowest content of mobile phosphorus and copper compared to other populations. Analysis of heavy metal concentrations showed that zinc exceeded the maximum permissible concentration only in population-2. At the same time, soil salinization at all three sites remains at a low level and does not pose a threat to the ecosystem. These findings are ecologically significant as they reveal the critical role of soil fertility and contamination in supporting the distribution and survival of the rare endemic species Spiraeanthus schrenkianus. These results provide new information for assessing the fertility and sustainability of land resources.

This study presents a comparative analysis of soil characteristics in three populations of the rare subalpine plant Trollius dschungaricus occurring in the Northern Tien Shan (Ketpen and Saty ridges). The aim was to identify soil factors that influence the species’ distribution and resilience...

This study presents a spatial assessment of agro-landscape soil contamination by phosphorite plant emissions under semi-arid conditions in the vicinity of Taraz, Kazakhstan. A total of 120 soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected from eight wind-oriented directions (N, S, W, E, NW, NE, SE, SW) at...

The genus Trollius L. remains insufficiently studied in Kazakhstan, necessitating comprehensive monitoring of its distribution and population status assessments. In Kazakhstan, this genus is represented by the following five species: T. asiaticus, T. altaicus, T. dschungaricus, T. lilacinus and T. komarovii. Of those, T. altaicus and T. dschungaricus are the most widely distributed. This study focuses on analyzing the population structure of Trollius altaicus and Trollius dschungaricus in relation to varying ecological and geographical conditions within Kazakhstan, along with conducting a comprehensive morphometric assessment. To study plant communities with Trollius L. species, classical geobotanical methods were applied, including the route-reconnaissance method to determine the species’ range and carry out a detailed population survey which involved the assessment of the age structure of populations and species composition of associated vegetation. Population structure analysis showed that the majority of T. altaicus plants were in the generative stage, with the right skewed age spectrum suggesting a decline in population size. Meanwhile, populations of T. dschungaricus were dominated by juvenile and virginal individuals, with the left skewed age spectrum suggesting a high regenerative potential. The morphometric analysis revealed high variability of plant height, number of leaves, flower diameter, diameter of generative bushes, number of basal leaves, and leaf length and width. The obtained results can serve as a basis for developing effective conservation and management strategies for T. altaicus and T. dschungaricus under ongoing climate change and anthropogenic impact. This research demonstrates that a detailed assessment of phenotypic characteristics is vital for formulating preservation frameworks and managing biological resources sustainably.

Soil salinization poses a persistent threat to irrigated agroecosystems, yet remote sensing-based salinity assessment remains predominantly calibrated against bulk electrical conductivity without fully integrating crop physiological variability. This review examines the evolution of remote sensing approaches for soil salinity mapping (1994–2024), with particular emphasis on the role of crop salt tolerance in shaping spectral interpretation and mapping accuracy. A systematic synthesis of 58 peer-reviewed studies retrieved from the Scopus database was conducted using bibliometric analysis and structured full-text thematic classification to evaluate methodological trends and conceptual integration across soil, crops, and spectral domains. The results reveal substantial technological advancement, including multispectral and hyperspectral sensing, machine learning frameworks, and multi-source data integration. However, most approaches remain surface-oriented and statistically calibrated, with limited operationalization of crop-specific tolerance thresholds, root-zone salinity dynamics, and hydrochemical variability. The findings indicate that crop salt tolerance functions as a mediating factor within the soil–plant–spectral continuum, influencing the stability and transferability of spectral–salinity relationships. Integrating physiological tolerance parameters and subsurface processes into modeling frameworks is essential for improving agronomic interpretability and supporting more reliable salinity management in irrigated systems.