Soil morphological, chemical and salinity characteristics of Capparis herbacea Willd. populations in Southern Kazakhstan

Context: The agroecological unit 9 (AEU 9) in Alappuzha district of Kerala represents the south central laterites. The soils are acidic, gravelly, having low activity clay, often underlain by plinthite with low water and nutrient retention capacity. Assessment of soil quality indicators and mapping of resources and soil fertility status is essential for planning and development activities.
 Aims: Soil quality assessment was made by collecting observations on physical, chemical and biological indicators, soil quality index was computed and generated maps using GIS.
 Study Design: Survey, collection of soil samples and principal component analysis.
 Place and Duration of Study: A study was conducted in agroecological unit 9 (south central laterites) in Alappuzha district of Kerala during 2020.
 Methods: Geo-referenced composite soil samples were collected from 75 locations of AEU9 in Alappuzha district, and were characterized for physical, chemical and biological attributes for evaluating soil quality. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out for soil parameters and a minimum data set (MDS) was arrived from seven principal components (PC 1 to PC 7) with eigen values greater than 1. The selected soil quality indicators were categorized into classes, assigned with scores and soil quality index was computed. Based on soil quality index, soils were rated as poor, medium or good. GIS based thematic maps of soil quality indicators and index were prepared.
 Results: The soils of AEU 9 are sandy loam in texture, strongly acidic (pH 4.5-5.5), medium in organic carbon, low in available N, medium in available P and K, deficient in available Ca, Mg and B. Majority (80%) of the soils are rated poor and 20% rated medium in soil quality. From the study it is concluded that pH, clay%, bulk density, available nutrients N, P, K, Ca and S are the key indicators of soil quality in AEU 9.

Introduction. Factors of nature and climate were analyzed using bioclimatic criteria of environmental assessments made in within the framework of urban planning during warm seasons. Territories of republics, located in Central Asia and southern Kazakhstan, were considered as southern specimen areas; they have both plain and complex mountainous terrains, and their climatic and bioclimatic conditions make them similar to equatorial countries. The author chose a method for assessing bioclimatic indices; they take into account the response of the thermal status of a person to the environment, which is a rele­vant task of architectural and structural design and area-wide planning in southern countries with hot climates.
 Materials and methods. This research project is based on a comprehensive methodology for studying, analyzing and summarizing meteorological factors, provided by local meteorological stations, and reference data from the leading research institutes of hydrometeorology. These data are further processed by the software package to identify specific small and large microclimatic and bioclimatic differences between large areas. The methodology also determines the degree of comfort of a thermal state of a person in urban bioclimatology.
 Results. A new area of research was identified to study the response of the thermal state of a person to the environment: the bio-climatological assessment of environments. Bioclimatic zoning of republics in Central Asia and southern Kazakhstan was performed to classify the bioclimatic conditions in these environments according to their livability, taking into account values of meteorological indices during warm seasons. Bioclimatic differences between territories, cities, and excerpts from area development documents were identified for the purpose of bioclimatic zoning and division into districts. Maps of districts were designed to make bioclimatic forecasts of territories for the purpose of architectural and structural design, as well as urban planning.
 Conclusions. The research is relevant for territories and cities with hot climates. Methodological fundamentals of bioclimatic zoning in Central Asia and southern Kazakhstan, coupled with classified bio-meteorological indices, will serve as a prere­quisite for purposeful and rational use of territories in the region; they will allow evaluating its recreational potential and planning the construction of residential complexes, public and industrial buildings and structures that ensure maximum comfort and convenience at minimum costs. The classification of bioclimates is presented; it is based on thermal characteristics of climates as well as responses from the human thermoregulatory system during excessively hot summer periods. These responses are needed to characterize the thermal state of a person during periods of greatest heat stresses and radiation loads.

Anaplasmosis in small ruminants is a tick-borne infection caused mainly by the obligate intraerythrocytic bacterium Anaplasma ovis. It is usually subclinical, with persistent infection in affected animals, but acute disease can occur, particularly in young animals. The pathogen is widespread in Central Asia and neighboring regions. In Kazakhstan, the infection was first detected in 1929. However, until now, diagnosis in the country has been based on traditional microscopic examination of blood smears. There were no reliable data on the prevalence and genetic diversity of Anaplasma spp. in sheep in Kazakhstan. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of Anaplasma spp. infection in sheep in southern Kazakhstan, a high-risk region for tick-borne diseases, using PCR and to identify the species by sequencing. A cross-sectional study was conducted on apparently healthy adult ewes from 77 settlements in 34 districts of Kyzylorda, Turkistan, Zhambyl, Almaty, and Jetisu, southern Kazakhstan. A total of 2553 whole blood samples collected in midsummer 2022 and 2023 were analyzed for Anaplasma spp. using polymerase chain reaction targeting the 404 bp groEL gene fragment. The amplification products from the 441 positive samples were sequenced using the Sanger sequencing method. Phylogenetic analysis of the obtained sequences was performed using the maximum likelihood model. Overall, 1017/2553 (39.8%; 95% confidence interval: 37.9%-41.7%) ewes tested were positive for Anaplasma spp. Positive animals were found in 68/77 (88%) of the settlements from which samples were taken. The percentage of Anaplasma spp.-positive ewes varied significantly from 21.3% to 50.1% in the provinces. Altitude <500 m above sea level was identified as a risk factor for Anaplasma infection. All amplification products were identified as A. ovis through sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of the groEL gene fragment sequences revealed the presence of two A. ovis genotypes; one was 100% identical to sequences from isolates from China and the other was >99.5% identical to isolates from Africa, Cyprus, and China. This first molecular study revealed a widespread of A. ovis infection in adult ewes in southern Kazakhstan. Altitude <500 m was identified as a risk factor. Therefore, clinical cases associated with A. ovis are expected in this region, especially in young animals. Future studies are needed to determine the clinical and economic impact of anaplasmosis on sheep production in the country, to investigate seasonal patterns of infection, and to identify tick species or other arthropods that act as local vectors. This information is useful for developing possible control measures and evaluating their effectiveness.

Local production and long-distance trade of Islamic glazed ceramics in Central Asia: A compositional analyses of ceramics from Southern Kazakhstan by NAA and LA-ICP-MS

The Elachistidae material collected during the joint Soviet-Finnish entomological expeditions to the Altai mountains, Baikal region and Tianshan mountains of the previous USSR is listed. Previous literature dealing with the Elachistidae in Central Asia is reviewed. A total of 40 species are dealt with, including descriptions of five new species: Stephensia jalmarella sp. n. (Altai), Elachista baikalica sp. n. (Baikal), E. talgarella sp. n. (southern Kazakhstan), E. esmeralda sp. n. (southern Kazakhstan) and E. filicornella sp. n. (southern Kazakhstan). The previously unknown females of E. bimaculata Parenti, 1981 and Biselachista zonulae Sruoga, 1992 are described.

The aim of this work was to investigate the interdependence of mineral nitrogen (N min ) content in 0-60 and 0-90 cm soil layers and in 0-30 cm soil layer in order to see whether it would be possible to predict the N min content in the deeper soil layers based on the N min content determined in 0-30 cm soil layer and thus to get a possibility to skip the soil sampling from the deeper layers of soil.The experiment was carried out in 2009-2012 in 156 monitoring plots of 20 × 20 m size located in 63 regions of lithuania characterized by the different prevailing soil types and the different soil texture: Eastern lithuania -Arenosols (AR) and Planosols (PL) -sand, Luvisols (LV) and Albeluvisols (AB) -sandy loam and light loam; Central lithuania -Cambisols (CM) and Luvisols -light loam, loam, medium loam, clay loam and clay; Western lithuania -Albeluvisols and Luvisols -sandy loam and light loam.The data obtained from the long-term fertilisation experiment conducted in Central lithuania on the light loam Cambisol were used in this study as well.Soil samples for the determination of N min content were taken from 0-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm soil layers.Higher levels of N min were found in the soils of heavier texture as well as in the soils of plots treated once with N min fertiliser at the rates not lower than 90 kg ha -1 .significant correlations were determined between the N min content in 0-60 or 0-90 cm soil layers and in 0-30 cm soil layer: in spring r 2 = 0.837, P < 0.01 and r 2 = 0.687, P < 0.01, respectively, in autumn r 2 = 0.833, P < 0.01 and r 2 = 0.723, P < 0.01, respectively.The ratios of N min content (as dependent on the N min content in 0-30 cm soil layer) in the 0-60 and 0-90 cm soil layers were calculated; when the content of N min in 0-30 cm soil layer increased from 6 to 12 mg kg -1 , the 0-60 and 0-30 cm soil layer N min content ratio decreased from 0.85 ± 0.25 to 0.75 ± 0.13 in spring and from 0.87 ± 0.21 to 0.82 ± 0.17 in autumn.These ratios or regression equations can be used for the calculation of N min content in the deeper soil layers based on the available data on the N min content in 0-30 cm soil layer.Strong correlations were determined between the nitrate N and N min contents in 0-60 and 0-90 cm soil layers in spring and in autumn; the corresponding ratios were calculated.The content of nitrates in soil increases as the N min level in soil rises.

ABSTRACTIn current debates, green energy is often presented as an opportunity for peripheral states and regions to take a lead in energy production and challenge their peripheral status. This article offers a counterview. It builds on qualitative fieldwork at the Zhanatas 100 MW Wind Power Plant in southern Kazakhstan — Central Asia's largest wind farm at the time of construction. On terrain considered by some to be ‘wasteland’, wind is captured, extracted and centralized as an emerging energy resource. At the same time, the nomadic population remain politically marginalized and the land and its many non‐human inhabitants continue to be ecologically vulnerable. This article argues that the long‐term effect can be described as changing state power within unchanging and unequal centre–periphery power relations. The article provides a theoretical contribution to the understanding of how green energy and state power can substantially reconstruct each other on the ground; it furthers our knowledge of the relationship between space and state under the conditions of energy transition, and advocates for a focus on spatial and historical inequalities in the context of changing energy production.

To the Editor: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) acquired from animals causes severe pneumonia in humans, with some chains of human-to-human transmission, leading to large outbreaks. MERS-CoV is a cause of concern for global public health. The only natural host of MERS-CoV identified so far is the dromedary camel (Camel dromedarius) (1,2), and transmission from camels to humans has been documented (3). The geographic distribution of MERS-CoV in dromedaries extends beyond the Arabian Peninsula (where human cases have been reported) to North and East Africa (where human cases have not been reported) (2,4). However, MERS-CoV from a camel in Egypt and MERS-CoV from a human were phenotypically similar in tropism and replication competence in ex vivo cultures of the human respiratory tract (5). Our previous study demonstrated no evidence of MERS-CoV infection in Bactrian camels in Mongolia (6). The question whether MERS-CoV is endemic in camelids in Central Asia remains unanswered. MERS-CoV RNA was detected in swab samples from camels in Iran, which had been imported from Pakistan; however, where the infection was acquired is unclear (7). In Asia, Kazakhstan is of particular interest because large populations of 2 major camelid species overlap: 90% Bactrian (Kazakh breed including 3 ecotypes) and ≈10% dromedary (Arvana breed from Turkmenistan) and their hybrids (8). To determine whether MERS-CoV is present in camelids in Kazakhstan, we conducted a seroepidemiologic survey. During February–March 2015, blood was collected from 550 female camels (455 dromedary, 95 Bactrian) (Figure) in 2 regions, Almaty and Shymkent, which differ in camelid density (0.034 and 0.20 camels/km2, respectively; http://www.stat.gov.kz). Dromedaries were sampled in the cities/villages of Kyzylorda (105 animals from 2 herds), Zanakorgan (35 animals from 1 herd), Sholakkorgan (110 animals from 2 herds), and Akshiy (205 animals from 4 herds). Bactrian camels were sampled in Sholakkorgan (40 animals from 1 herd) and Kanshengel (55 animals from 1 herd) (Figure). For dromedary camels, mean age was 6.1 years (SD 3–7 years) and mean herd size was 53.6 animals (SD 31–70); for Bactrian camels, mean age was 6.5 years (SD 5–8 years) and mean herd size was 48.6 animals (SD 40–55). Serum samples were tested for MERS-CoV antibodies at a screening dilution of 1:20 by using a validated MERS-CoV (strain EMC) spike pseudoparticle neutralization test (9). Positive and negative controls were included in each run. Absence of positivity for any sample indicated a lack of recent or past MERS-CoV infection. Figure Density of camelids in Kazakhstan (extracted from the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Committee on Statistics, Department of Statistics; http://www.stat.gov.kz) and specimen collection for detection of Middle East respiratory ... Two randomly selected samples each from dromedaries from Kyzlorda, Zanakorgan, and Akshiy and Bactrians from Sholakkorgan and Kanshenegel were tested for neutralizing antibody to bovine coronavirus (9). All 10 samples were seropositive, as has been reported for Bactrian camels in Mongolia and the Middle East (6,9). Given the uniformly high seroprevalence of MERS-CoV infection among dromedaries in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, the lack of infection in dromedaries in southern Kazakhstan was surprising. Because genetically diverse MERS-CoV from Africa remains antigenically conserved with viruses from the Arabian Peninsula, the lack of antibodies is probably not explained by antigenically divergent strains (9). Feral dromedaries in Australia, which originated from animals imported from Afghanistan or Pakistan during 1840–1907, are also seronegative for MERS-CoV (10). In contrast, bovine-like coronavirus seems to be present in dromedaries everywhere (including Kazakhstan and Australia). Our study was limited by sample size and by geographic coverage. Of the ≈180,000 camels in Kazakhstan, we studied camelids from only 2 of the 13 provinces. No samples were collected from the western part of the country near Turkmenistan, where dromedaries are also common. Dromedaries are clearly a natural host of MERS-CoV. However, the finding that MERS-CoV is not endemic in dromedaries in all geographic regions suggests the possibility that dromedaries may not be the ultimate natural reservoir (i.e., the long-term host of a pathogen of an infectious disease). Topography (i.e., mountain chains) may limit camel movements from the Middle East or Africa to Central Asia, although such interchange certainly occurred centuries ago as a consequence of the silk-trade routes through southern Kazakhstan. The only known recent imports to Kazakhstan are dromedaries (Arvana breed), brought from Turkmenistan for cross-breeding with Bactrians to improve milk production (8). The findings that MERS-CoV is not universally endemic in dromedaries raises the hypothesis that certain species of bats or some other animal, the environment, or both, may constitute a maintenance community and be the true natural reservoir of MERS-CoV and that the virus spills over to camels and is maintained within camels for varying periods of time. Further studies on the epidemiology of MERS-CoV infection among camelids from central Asia are warranted.

IntroductionArthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) pose a growing threat to livestock and human health across Central Asia. This study aimed to assess the presence and genetic diversity of arboviral pathogens—Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), Bluetongue virus (BTV), Schmallenberg virus (SBV), and lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV)—in ixodid ticks livestock in southern Kazakhstan.MethodsA total of 3,281 adult ticks were collected from three regions (Turkestan, Zhambyl, and Kyzylorda) and identified morphologically. Molecular screening was performed using real-time and nested RT-PCR.ResultsCCHFV RNA was detected exclusively in female ticks from the Turkestan region, with Dermacentor pictus showing the highest infection rate (21.05%), followed by Hyalomma anatolicum, Dermacentor marginatus, and Hyalomma scupense. No viral RNA was detected for BTV, SBV, or LSDV.DiscussionPhylogenetic analysis based on partial S and L segments revealed that the Kazakhstani isolates clustered within Asia-1 and Asia-2 genotypes and shared high sequence identity with regional strains from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and China, supporting transboundary virus circulation. These findings provide additional molecular evidence of localized CCHFV activity in livestock-associated ticks in southern Kazakhstan, expanding current knowledge on the virus’s geographic distribution and genetic diversity.

Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, is an endemic area of Theileria and Babesia infections in cattle. Current data on the geographic distribution, prevalence, and genetic diversity of these pathogens in vertebrate hosts are lacking in Kazakhstan. The present study aimed to fill this gap, using molecular techniques for the first time.A cross-sectional survey was performed on adult cattle from 40 villages in nine administrative districts of the provinces of Turkistan and Zhambyl, southern Kazakhstan, in summer 2020. A total of 766 blood samples were screened for Theileria annulata (enolase gene), Theileria orientalis (major piroplasm surface protein gene, MPSP) and Babesia spp. (18 S ribosomal RNA gene) using polymerase chain reaction. The genetic variability of Theileria spp. was assessed by sequencing one amplicon from each village. All Babesia spp. positive amplicons were sequenced to identify the species involved.The overall prevalence of infections with T. annulata, T. orientalis and Babesia spp. was 83.0% (40 villages positive), 33.3% (31 villages) and 13.5% (36 villages), respectively. Co-infections with two or three species were present in 48.9% of all positive cattle. Theileria annulata showing a high polymorphism of the enolase gene occurred with similar frequency in both provinces. Theileria orientalis was detected for the first time in Kazakhstan being significantly (P = 0.014) more prevalent in Zhambyl than in Turkistan. Fourteen genotypes of T. orientalis were identified; two belonged to the moderately virulent MPSP-type 1 (‘Chitose’) and the others to MPSP-type 3 (‘Buffeli’) which is considered avirulent. The prevalence of Babesia infection was significantly (P < 0.000) higher in Turkistan than in Zhambyl. An unequivocal identification of the species involved was possible in 127 sequenced samples: Babesia occultans was the most common species, followed by Babesia bigemina and Babesia major, the latter being the first record in the country. The results show that Theileria and Babesia infections in cattle are widespread and occur with remarkably high prevalence in the southern Kazakhstan. They also provide first data on the genetic diversity of the species involved.

PurposeThe purpose of this article discusses the design of underground eco-houses using a dome structure of light construction while taking into account the historical experience of the development of the local population. This article considered the traditions of folk architecture and modern sophistication in the creation of energy-efficient eco-houses in foreign countries in the context of architecture and construction of affordable residential homes for the local population.Design/methodology/approachThe research presented in this paper was motivated by the need for developing agro-tourism facilities in hard-to-reach areas of the Silk Road in Southern Kazakhstan causes the construction of eco-houses built using local construction materials. Since ancient times in Southern Kazakhstan and during seasonal migrations in yurts of light construction, people have lived in mud-brick houses deep in the ground. Along with architectural and artistic solutions in building construction, great importance was attached to saving material resources, labour costs and achieving heat stability of residential buildings.FindingsIn the architectural and planning solution of the eco¬-house, progressive directions of construction of agrotechnical structures using renewable energy sources are adopted. Particular importance was given to the choice of the construction site on an elevated area nearby historical monuments and a favourable season for the construction of eco-houses with considering the natural and climatic characteristics of rural areas of Southern Kazakhstan.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper discussed the issues of insulation, ventilation and improving the eco-house microclimate comfort using local building materials. Improving the architectural and artistic expressiveness of the eco-house in terms of the tradition of folk architecture was also explicitly discussed in this paper.Practical implicationsTables with the justification of expediency of construction of economical eco-houses in natural and climatic conditions of Kazakhstan and Central Asia are provided. The results help to improve the energy efficiency of eco-houses in Kazakhstan by using renewable energy sources.Social implicationsSocial benefits are associated with the use of local raw materials. Eco-houses built from traditional building materials can become accessible to a wide range of people and stimulate the development of small businesses. This may be associated with the construction of eco-houses to serve visiting tourists in remote picturesque oases, as well as the manufacture of dome structures, felt products and the preparation of reed panels and so on.Originality/valueThe thermotechnical characteristics of the region's ground energy are given, which can significantly save the cost of heating the eco-house. Solutions for optimal insolation, ventilation of the eco-house are provided, taking into account the natural and climatic conditions of Southern Kazakhstan.

The topography of the Tianshan Mountains and the Pamir Plateau strongly shapes the seasonality of precipitation in Central Asia (CA): cold-season (October-April) precipitation dominates western CA and warm-season (May-September) precipitation dominates eastern CA. The precipitation/moisture patterns between western and eastern CA are completely opposite at seasonal, decadal and centennial scale. However, the pattern contrasts for millennial or longer time scales remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the precipitation variations in western CA, as recorded in a 6.5-m loess section in southern Kazakhstan, which has accumulated since ~14.4 ka. According to the robust relationship between the surface soil organic matter δ13C and the climatic parameters, the δ13C signature is here considered as a precipitation proxy. The record reveals an overall decreasing precipitation before ~6.0 ka followed by an increasing trend afterward, being consistent with the previously reported precipitation records in western CA. The late-deglaciation precipitation in western CA is in phase with that in eastern CA at millennial scales, which are both driven by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Siberian High.

Water resources are scarce and difficult to manage in Kazakhstan, Central Asia (CA). Anthropic activities largely eliminated the Aral Sea. Afghanistan’s large-scale canal construction may eliminate life in the main stream of the Amu Darya River, CA. Kazakhstan’s HYRASIA ONE project, with a EUR 50 billion investment to produce green hydrogen, is targeted to withdraw water from the Caspian Sea. Kazakhstan, CA, requires sustainable programs that integrate both decision-makers’ and people’s behavior. For this paper, the authors investigated groundwater resources for sustainable use, including for consumption, and the potential for natural “white” hydrogen production from underground geological “factories”. Kazakhstan is rich in natural resources, such as iron-rich rocks, minerals, and uranium, which are necessary for serpentinization reactions and radiolysis decay in natural hydrogen production from underground water. Investigations of underground geological “factories” require substantial efforts in field data collection. A chemical analysis of 40 groundwater samples from the 97 wells surveyed and investigated in the T. Ryskulov, Zhambyl, Baizak and Zhualy districts of the Zhambyl region in South Kazakhstan in 2021–2022 was carried out. These samples were compared with previously collected water samples from the years 2020–2021. The compositions of groundwater samples were analyzed, revealing various concentrations of different minerals, natural geological rocks, and anthropogenic materials. South Kazakhstan is rich in natural mineral resources. As a result, mining companies extract resources in the Taraz–Zhanatas–Karatau and the Shu–Novotroitsk industrial areas. The most significant levels of minerals found in water samples were found in the territory of the Talas–Assinsky interfluve, where the main industrial mining enterprises are concentrated and the largest groundwater deposits have been explored. Groundwater compositions have direct connections to geological rocks. The geological rocks are confined to sandstones, siltstones, porphyrites, conglomerates, limestones, and metamorphic rocks. In observation wells, a number of components can be found in high concentrations (mg/L): sulfates—602.0 (MPC 500 mg/L); sodium—436.5 (MPC 200 mg/L); chlorine—465.4 (MPC 350 mg/L); lithium—0.18 (MPC 0.03 mg/L); boron—0.74 (MPC 0.5 mg/L); cadmium—0.002 (MPC 0.001 mg/L); strontium—15, 0 (MPC 7.0 mg/L); and TDS—1970 (MPC 1000). The high mineral contents in the water are natural and comprise minerals from geological sources, including iron-rich rocks, to uranium. Proper groundwater classifications for research investigations are required to separate potable groundwater resources, wells, and areas where underground geological “factories” producing natural “white” hydrogen could potentially be located. Our preliminary investigation results are presented with the aim of creating a large-scale targeted program to improve water sustainability in Kazakhstan, CA.

ABSTRACTBiological diversity in mountain ecosystems has been increasingly studied over the last decade. This is also the case for mountain soils, but no study to date has provided an overall synthesis of the current state of knowledge. Here we fill this gap with a first global analysis of published research on cryptogams, microorganisms, and fauna in mountain soils above the treeline, and a structured synthesis of current knowledge. Based on a corpus of almost 1400 publications and the expertise of 37 mountain soil scientists worldwide, we summarise what is known about the diversity and distribution patterns of each of these organismal groups, specifically along elevation, and provide an overview of available knowledge on the drivers explaining these patterns and their changes. In particular, we document an elevation‐dependent decrease in faunal diversity above the treeline, while for cryptogams there is an initial increase above the treeline, followed by a decrease towards the nival belt. Thus, our data confirm the key role that elevation plays in shaping the biodiversity and distribution of these organisms in mountain soils. The response of prokaryote diversity to elevation, in turn, was more diverse, whereas fungal diversity appeared to be substantially influenced by plants. As far as available, we describe key characteristics, adaptations, and functions of mountain soil species, and despite a lack of ecological information about the uncultivated majority of prokaryotes, fungi, and protists, we illustrate the remarkable and unique diversity of life forms and life histories encountered in alpine mountain soils. By applying rule‐ as well as pattern‐based literature‐mining approaches and semi‐quantitative analyses, we identified hotspots of mountain soil research in the European Alps and Central Asia and revealed significant gaps in taxonomic coverage, particularly among biocrusts, soil protists, and soil fauna. We further report thematic priorities for research on mountain soil biodiversity above the treeline and identify unanswered research questions. Building upon the outcomes of this synthesis, we conclude with a set of research opportunities for mountain soil biodiversity research worldwide. Soils in mountain ecosystems above the treeline fulfil critical functions and make essential contributions to life on land. Accordingly, seizing these opportunities and closing knowledge gaps appears crucial to enable science‐based decision making in mountain regions and formulating laws and guidelines in support of mountain soil biodiversity conservation targets.

Loess accumulation in the Tian Shan piedmont: Implications for palaeoenvironmental change in arid Central Asia