This study investigated the elemental composition of soils in Kyzylorda and Turkestan (southern Kazakhstan), an area rich in natural resources but facing potential environmental threats from industry and agriculture. The goal was to establish baseline geochemical values and assess soil contamination risks. Soil samples were collected from across the region and analyzed using ICP-MS and INAA techniques, providing a comprehensive profile of 72 elements. Statistical analysis revealed significant variations in elemental concentrations, with enrichments observed for specific elements when compared with reference values. Notably, both regions shared a core set of elements including rare earth elements (yttrium series: holmium, erbium, thulium), noble metals (gold, platinum, ruthenium, palladium), and tungsten. Enrichment patterns, however, provided distinct insights. Rare earth element enrichments likely reflect the region’s geology, while elevated radioactive elements necessitate further investigation to understand potential environmental and health risks. Enrichment of iron group elements might be linked to a combination of geological factors and anthropogenic activities like mining or industrial processes. A significantly higher number of elements exceeded background levels in Kyzylorda compared with Turkestan, suggesting greater element accumulation in Kyzylorda’s soil. This difference could be attributed to variations in regional geology or historical anthropogenic activities. The established geochemical baseline for 72 elements and the identified areas of potential contamination will inform land management practices, guide future environmental monitoring efforts, and ultimately contribute to the safeguarding of public health in southern Kazakhstan.

This article presents the results of a study on soil cover damage caused by uncontrolled tourism in the Kazakhstan Altai and Mongolian Altai ranges. According to the expedition and laboratory work, it was determined that the soil cover of 182,7 km long territory in the Mongolian Altay range was damaged due to the ruts of vehicles and the trampling of tourists. More than 56,9% of these measured areas were completely destroyed, and 35,4% became rocky or desert. In the Altai ridge of Kazakhstan, the soil cover was damaged due to the formation of branch roads on an area of 705,7 ha, which was 55,3 km long. Approximately 84,4% of the total recorded area is moderately damaged and the growth of plants and grasses has decreased. During the determination of soil contamination with heavy metals, a total of 40 samples were taken from 8 coordinates and analyzed. The amount of lead and nickel in the soil has increased by 2-4 times due to the influence of tourism in both the Mongolian Altai Range and the Kazakh Altai Range. Cadmium element was not found at all. The content of other heavy metals such as chromium, copper, and zinc is slightly increased and accumulated at the bottom of the road. In both Kazakhstan and Mongolia, it was determined that the soil is polluted with heavy metals only by tourists' cars, as there is no mining, metallurgical plants, or resorts within 300 km. Keywords: Kazakhstan Altai Ridge, Mongolian Altai Ridge, soil cover, soil pollution.

This article presents a summary of the flora and the results of the floristic analysis of plants growing on the territory of the «Kokshetau» state national natural park of the «Ormandy bulak» branch. During the study, the following signs of vegetation were identified: habitat in the study area; classification of life forms by K. Raunkier and I.G. Serebryakov; ecological group in relation to moisture; economic significance. A taxonomic analysis was also carried out and the ratio of genera and species was determined. The flora of the «Ormandy bulak» branch of the «Kokshetau» SNNP has 56 species, 54 genera and 27 families. The leading genera include Rosaceae Juss., Asteraceae Dumort, Ranunculaceae Juss., Fabaceae Lindl. and Plantaginaceae Juss. Rubus L. and Galium L. they are the dominant genera. In addition, species listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan have been identified, these are Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill. and Adonis vernalis L. In order to preserve the full biological diversity, and not only endangered species, it is necessary to assess the current state of regional flora and vegetation diversity, assess their structure and prospects for rational use.Keywords: flora, flora synopsis, branch of «Ormandy bulak», «Kokshetau» SNNP, biodiversity, taxonomic analysis.

The plants occurring in the flora of the Aiyrtau district of the North Kazakhstan region were selected as the object of research. During the study, it was found that the flora of the Aiyrtau district of the North Kazakhstan region consists of 80 plant species belonging to 22 genera and 60 families. Families, such as Asteraceae Bercht., Amaranthaceae Juss., Fabaceae Lindl., Plantaginaceae Juss., and Poaceae Barnhart., prevailed according to the number of species. Ecological analysis of plants has shown that mesophytes, mesoxerophytes, and hygromesophytes predominate. The classification of plant species by life forms revealed semi-shrubs – 2 species, perennial herbaceous plants – 53 species, annual herbaceous plants – 20 species, and biennial herbaceous plants – 5 species. According to C. Raunkiaer’s classification, the following groups of plants were identified: hemicryptophytes (50 species; 62.5%), therophytes (11 species; 13.75%), cryptophytes (16 species; 20%), chamaephytes (1 species; 1.25%) and nanophanerophytes (2 species; 2.5%). The results of the research work allow for supplementing the data on the flora of the North Kazakhstan region, specifically the Aiyrtau district. Key words: flora, biodiversity, systematic analysis, species composition, life forms, ecological groups of plants.

Intraspecific variation in Tanacetum vulgare L. has been documented, but it remains unclear which morphological and anatomical traits differ among localities in Kokshetau State National Nature Park and whether the principal stem and leaf organization remains shared. This study compared flowering plants collected from one locality in each of the park’s five branches. Nine morphological traits were measured in 100 plants (20 per locality), and stem and leaf anatomy was examined in 50 plants (10 per locality). Flower and leaf extracts from one locality were also assessed descriptively by ¹H NMR. Morphological differences among localities were most evident in plant height, leaf dimensions, and flower head number. Plants from Shalkar had the highest mean height (58.70 ± 6.25 cm), leaf width (7.95 ± 1.15 cm), and flower head number per shoot (45.15 ± 13.66), whereas shoot diameter showed no significant difference among localities. Across the pooled sample, plant height was positively correlated with the number of lateral axes (r = 0.781). The principal organization of the stem and the isobilateral structure of the leaf were shared across localities, although pith cell dimensions and selected leaf tissue measurements differed. Flower and leaf extracts produced distinguishable NMR signals, but individual compounds were not identified. By comparing morphology and anatomy across five park localities, this study documents quantitative trait variation within a shared structural pattern and provides a baseline for future comparisons in northern Kazakhstan. Because each branch was represented by one locality and environmental and genetic factors were not measured, the causes of the observed differences remain unresolved.

Local floristic inventories provide baseline data for biodiversity monitoring and conservation in protected areas. This study presents an annotated checklist of vascular plants in the Arykbalyk Branch of Kokshetau State National Natural Park, Kazakhstan, and characterizes their taxonomic composition, life forms, ecological affinities, and practical significance. Route-based surveys conducted in 2025–2026 covered the principal habitats of four forestry units. Floristic relationships were assessed using Jaccard dissimilarities, average-linkage hierarchical clustering, and species intersections. The inventory documented 184 vascular plant species belonging to 135 genera, 46 families, and 24 orders at surveyed localities within the branch. These included 172 native species, 11 alien species (6.0%), and one species recorded only as planted. General analyses were restricted to the native component. Asteraceae was the most species-rich native family, comprising 31 species (18.0%). Perennials accounted for 84.9% of native species, and hemicryptophytes represented 61.0%. Mesophytes and xeromesophytes together comprised 64.5% of the native component. Medicinal plants constituted the largest documented practical-use category, with 93 native species (54.1%). Seven species listed in the national Red Data Book were recorded, along with an additional locality of Hemipilia cucullata. Fifty-two native species occurred in all four forestry-unit lists. Leikovskoye and Nizhne-Burlukskoye showed the greatest floristic similarity, whereas Karauyltobe had the most distinct native species composition. These descriptive findings provide a baseline for further floristic inventories and targeted monitoring of native species of conservation concern and alien plants.