Alatau Mountains Research Articles

Tamgas and Petroglyphs in the Kayrakkol and Karakungey Mountains (based on research materials 2022–2023)

The article presents the results of field research in South-Eastern Kazakhstan in 2022–2023. The authors introduce into scientific discourse information about seven locations of rock carvings with tamgas. Fifteen signs and the petroglyphs that accompany them are being published. The drawings are found on open vertical and horizontal planes of large and small rocky outcrops, on the tops of the southern, southwestern and southeastern slopes of the Kairakkol and Karakungey mountains. The rock carvings were made using two main techniques: picketing and surface carving. Sectors with tamgas are part of large clusters of petroglyphs of different periods, but at the same time they are located separately from other drawings. In one case, a similar sector was discovered on rocky planes located at a distance from placers of rock carvings. Figurative images are represented mainly by geometric symbols and their combinations. Diacritics – dots, lines, arcs and curls. The majority are tamgas, which find indirect analogies in the signs of the nomads of the Northern Black Sea region, Ustyurt, Southern Kazakhstan, Southern Siberia and Mongolia at the turn of eras. Among the petroglyphs that accompany the signs, there are images of snake-like and dragon-like figures, silhouette and outline figures of animals, some of which are made in an openwork manner. A new series of tamgas, identified in Eastern Semirechye, shows broad ethnocultural connections, the originality of the region’s population in the Hunno-Sarmatian period and the migration routes of nomads along the Dzungarian Alatau mountain system.

Моделирование стока горных рек Илейского Алатау с применением модели HBV-light

The research aimed to evaluate the possibility of applying the HBV model for assessing the flow of the Ile Alatau Mountain Range rivers. The main part of the corresponding water resources forms on the northern slopes of the Ile Alatau making them a significant water balance and water supply factor for the major cities of Almaty, Kaskelen, Talgar, and Yesik. The article includes a brief description of the HBV model, as well as hydrometeorologicaland topographical inputs, and continues with the description of the flow simulation outputs for the rivers with the catchment area varying between 71-601 km2. For the periods of 2000-2016, the model parameters were calibrated using the GAP optimization algorithm. The model’s performance was evaluated based on several criteria: Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), Percent bias (PBIAS), and Root Mean Standard Deviation Ratio (RSR). The selection of optimal parameters allowed obtaining the following model efficiency values: 0.80-0.93 (as per NSE), -0.78 to -15.33% (as per PBIAS), and 0.27–0.80 (as per RSR). The calculated model efficiencies point to the sufficient correlation between the dynamics of the observed and simulated runoffs during the calibration period. The study likewise included the assessment of the HBV model applicability as a forecasting technique based on the ratio. The outcomes of that exercise confirmed the facility of using the model for predicting the runoff of the Kaskelen, Talgar, Ulken Almaty, and Kishi Almaty Rivers. Due to the fact that the observation data were available only for 2020, the HBV model parameters of all the studied rivers, except the Talgar River, underwent validation for the periods of 2017-2020. The calibrated and validated parameters of the obtained Ile Alatau Mountain River Model can be recommended for runoff modeling based on the HBV-light model as well as for runoff forecasting, namely for short- and medium-term water flow forecasts, with the exception of the Turgen, Prokhodnaya and Uzyn Kargaly River Basins.

Resources of Melliferous and Polleniferous Plants of Central Asia and Kazakhstan Based on Melissopalynological Analysis

Abstract—A palynological study of 82 samples of honey from Middle Asia and Kazakhstan was carried out in order to determine the resources of the key melliferous and polleniferous plants. The obtained results made it possible to establish 8 productive beekeeping zones in the studied territory. The most common pollen combinations are identified for each zone. The selected zones can be combined into two large groups: northern and southern, with a transitional area (zone 3, the Dzungarian Alatau mountain ridge) between them, where honey with mixed palynological characteristics is obtained. In the northern part, in zones 1 and 2 (northern and eastern Kazakhstan) Origanum vulgare L., Rubus idaeus L., Salix L. are important wild native melliferous plants, Helianthus annuus L., Sinapis alba L. are agricultural melliferous plants, and Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. is important polleniferous plant. Further south, in zones 4–8 (south and southeast Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), the principal wild native melliferous plants are Salvia L., Thymus L., Alhagi Tourn. ex Adans., Halimodendron halodendron (Pall.) C.K. Schneid., Tamarix L., Psoralea drupacea Bunge, agricultural melliferous plants – Gossypium hirsutum L. and Onobrychis Mill., weeds – Echium vulgare L., Onopordum acanthium L., Sophora L., and polleniferous plants – Hypericum L., Artemisia L., Plantago L. and Chenopodiaceae.

NEW SPECIES OF BRISTLETAILS OF THE FAMILY MACHILIDAE (MICROCORYPHIA) FROM TAJIKISTAN

Two new species from the bristletai family Machilidae are described from Tajikistan, Central Asia: Allopsontus sogdianus sp. n. and Silvestrichilis perfectus sp. n. Allopsontus sogdianus sp. n. seems to be particularly similar to A. pulchellus (Kaplin 1982), a species of the subgenus Anisopsontus from the Dzhungarsky Alatau Mountains, southeastern Kazakhstan, as their males share many small, dark, specialized bristles on the ventral surface of articles 2–7 of the maxillary palps. Allopsontus sogdianus sp. n. differs from A. pulchellus by the length of the body, the structure of the antennae, the number of articles in the distal parts of the antennae, the color and structure of the eyes and paired ocelli, the maxillary palps, the sensory field on the femora of the male forelegs, the relative length of the styli on the males and females urites VIII and IX, the number of articles of the ovipositor and male parameres. Males of Silvestrichilis perfectus sp. n. are with 4–5 almost vertical, thickened, needle-like bristles on the second articles of the fore, middle and hind tarsi, this being one of the main morphological features of this genus. Silvestrichilis perfectus sp. n. differs from other species of the genus first of all by the presence of sensory fields on the fore and middle femora of males.

Mountain Resilience: A Tool for Mudflow Risk Management in the Ile Alatau Mountains, Kazakhstan

Mountain Resilience: A Tool for Mudflow Risk Management in the Ile Alatau Mountains, Kazakhstan

Remote sensing as a tool of biological conservation and grassland monitoring in mountain areas of Southeastern Kazakhstan

Grassland degradation, as a worldwide phenomenon, has economic and bio-conservation aspects. Degradation of mountain grasslands severely impacts the stability of ecosystems in fragile mountain environments and may destroy the habitats of many endemic and endangered species. One of the significant triggers of mountain grassland degradation, along with the possible consequences of climate change, is massive overgrazing. Overgrazing may seriously influence the ecosystem since it results in plant composition changes, soil erosion, water regime disturbances, etc., up to the disappearance of the entire ecosystem. It is crucial to have a reliable and cost-effective instrument for the ecosystem assessment of remote and hardly accessible mountain areas supported by accurate methods of vegetation parameter estimation since the vegetation cover is first to react to externally driven disturbances. The current study was conducted in the Dzungarian Alatau Mountains, inhabited by the rare and endemic anuran amphibian Ranodon sibiricus (Kessler, 1886). The project of the Conservation International Foundation (CIF/326/21) was aimed at the strategy of species conservation. The current study emphasises estimating the overgrazing risks for the amphibian population. More than two hundred ground measurements were done within the Upper Koksu Forestry and adjacent areas to provide representative data on the vegetation parameters. We tested a series of spectral indices related to vegetation biophysical parameters. We found the DWSI, GrNDVI, IRECI and NDI45 indices to provide the best correlations and reasonable accuracy for remote measurements of above-ground biomass, grass cover, and unpalatable grass content. Sentinel-2 data with the red-edge bands, in most cases, provided better performance. Our study confirmed that the use of a single criterion (like above-ground biomass) might result in a serious underestimation of grassland degradation. Data obtained from field surveys and satellite information analysis allowed the evaluation of the optimal grazing load for the Upper Koksu Forestry and provided recommendations for the Action Plan on the Conservation of Ranodon sibiricus.

Remote sensing as a tool of biological conservation and grassland monitoring in mountain areas of Southeastern Kazakhstan

Grassland degradation, as a worldwide phenomenon, has economic and bio-conservation aspects. Degradation of mountain grasslands severely impacts the ecosystem stability in fragile mountain environments and may destroy habitats of many endemic and endangered species. One of the significant triggers of mountain grassland degradation, along with possible consequences of climate change, is massive overgrazing. Overgrazing may seriously influence the ecosystem since it results in plant composition changes, soil erosion, water regime disturbances, etc., up to the disappearance of the entire ecosystem. It is crucial to have a reliable and cost-effective instrument for the ecosystem assessment of remote and hardly accessible mountain areas supported with accurate methods of the vegetation parameters estimation since the vegetation cover is first to react to externally driven disturbances. The current study was conducted in Dzungarian Alatau Mountains, inhabited by the rare and endemic anuran amphibian Ranodon sibiricus, Kessler, 1886. The project of the Conservation International Foundation (CIF/326/21) was aimed at the strategy of this species conservation. The current study emphasises estimating the overgrazing risks for the amphibian population. More than two hundred ground measurements were done within the Upper Koksu Forestry and adjacent areas to provide representative data on the vegetation parameters. We tested a series of spectral indices related to vegetation biophysical parameters. We found DWSI, GrNDVI, IRECI and NDI45 indices to provide the best correlations and reasonable accuracy for remote measurements of above-ground biomass, grasscover and unpalatable grass content. Sentinel-2 data with the red-edge bands, in most cases, provided better performance. Our study confirmed the use of a single criterion (like above-ground biomass) might result in a serious underestimation of grassland degradation. Data obtained from field survey and satellite information analysis allowed the evaluation of the optimal grazing load for the Upper Koksu Forestry and provided recommendations for the Action Plan on the conservation of Ranodon sibiricus.

История изучения позднепалеолитической стоянки Малая Сыя: к 50-летию открытия

This paper presents archival and published materials from the complex geoarchaeological site Malaya Syya, located in a promising area for studying the Paleolithic of Southern Siberia (at the junction of three large orographic structures: the Kuznetsk Alatau mountains, the Batenevsky ridge and the Chebakovo-Balakhta depression of the Minusinsk intermountain trough). The cultural horizons of Malaya Syya are included in deposits of complex genesis, which served as the general background for an ambiguous reading of the stratigraphic, chronological, and archaeological context of cultural remains. The development of archaeological knowledge in Siberia has made it possible to use more effective methods for studying the Malaya Syya assemblages from the point of view of attribution of the collection of stone and bone implements, chronological and planigraphic (spatial) determination. Returning to the early stages of studying this site, it required a detailed understanding of the sequence of formation of research hypotheses against the background of the general development of archaeological knowledge, analysis of the conclusions of researchers (V. E. Larichev, Yu. P. Kholyushkin, N. F. Lisitsyn, etc.) and an explanation of the reasons for the appearance such points of view. We have presented a detailed chronology of the history of research on Malaya Syya, based on the study and analysis of archival materials (archives of the Field Research Department of the Institute of Archaeology RAS, archives of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS) and published data. It seems to us that the early stages of research on Malaya Syya were dominated by the position of V. E. Larichev’s selfless desire to preserve the destroyed object within the framework of the Iyus Archaeological Reserve. The history of the study determines the key problems of modern understanding of the general process of sedimentation at the site Malaya Syya, geostratigraphy, geochronology, paleontology, characteristics of the archaeological context and attribution of collections, issues of adaptation of the ancient population in specific nature conditions. The current materials and results of research on the site are presented in a series of sequential publications, which are expected to be presented in a monographic study.

The First Inventory of Rock Glaciers in the Zhetysu Alatau: The Aksu and Lepsy River Basins

While rock glaciers (RGs) are widespread in the Zhetysu Alatau mountain range of Tien Shan (Kazakhstan), they have not yet been systematically investigated. In this study, we present the first rock glacier inventory of this region containing 256 rock glaciers with quantitative information about their locations, geomorphic parameters, and downslope velocities, as established using a method that combines SAR interferometry and optical images from Google Earth. Our inventory shows that most of the RGs are talus-derived (61%). The maximum downslope velocity of the active rock glaciers (ARGs) was 252 mm yr−1. The average lower height of rock glaciers in this part of the Zhetysu Alatau was 3036 m above sea level (ASL). The largest area of rock glaciers was located between 2800 and 3400 m ASL and covered almost 86% of the total area. Most rock glaciers had a northern (northern, northeastern, and northwestern) orientation, which indicated the important role of solar insolation in their formation and preservation.

Seasonal biochemical changes in Betula tortuosa Ledeb. annual rings in Alpine forest-tundra of Kuznetsk Ala Tau Mountains

Woody vegetation growth conditions have marked effects on hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin formation. In this study, the climatic responses of these major cell wall polymers in Betula tortuosa Ledeb. were analyzed. 35 annual rings (1980–2015) of Betula tortuosa Ledeb. trees growing in the alpine forest-tundra of Kuznetsk Ala Tau were studied using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS). Analysis of the correlation of the resulting spectra and Py–GC/MS values with mean air temperature and precipitation showed that the polymeric composition of Betula tortuosa Ledeb. was mainly determined by June–August climate. The major factor limiting the development of the “unique” cell wall polymer composition of Betula tortuosa Ledeb. found in alpine forest-tundra of Kuznetsk Ala Tau was a deficit of heat. At the end of the growing season, precipitation had a largely negative impact on polymer formation in Betula tortuosa Ledeb. cell walls. The authors believe that combining FTIR spectroscopy and Py–GC/MS is an effective approach to quantifying the consequences of current climate trends for Siberian forest ecosystems.

A New Species of the Sawfly Genus Spinarge Wei, 1998 (Hymenoptera, Argidae) from the Dzhungarian Ala Tau Mountains, Kazakhstan

A New Species of the Sawfly Genus Spinarge Wei, 1998 (Hymenoptera, Argidae) from the Dzhungarian Ala Tau Mountains, Kazakhstan

The Elusive Turkestan Lynx at the Northwestern Edge of Geographic Range: Current Suitable Habitats and Distribution Forecast in the Climate Change

The Turkestan lynx (Lynx lynx isabellina Blyth, 1847) is a rare and understudied subspecies of the Eurasian lynx occupying the mountains of Central and South Asia. This elusive felid’s northwestern range includes the Tien Shan and Zhetisu Alatau mountains in the border region of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. As the first step to conserve this vulnerable carnivore, we have conducted the first full-scale research from 2013 until 2022 on its distribution in this region. Using 132 environmental predictors of 359 lynx sightings, we have created species habitat distribution models across the lynx’s northwestern range using machine learning approaches (Maximum Entropy—MaxEnt). Additionally, we created species distribution forecasts based on seven bio-climatic environmental predictors with each three different future global climate model scenarios. To validate these forecasts, we have calculated the changes in the lynx distribution range for the year 2100, making the first species distribution forecast for the Turkestan lynx in the area. Additionally, it provides insight into the possible effects of global climate change on this lynx population. Based on these distribution models, the lynx population in the Northern and Western Tien Shan and Zhetisu Alatau plays a significant role in maintaining the stability of the whole subspecies in its northwestern and global range, while the distribution forecast shows that most lynx distribution ranges will reduce in all future climate scenarios, and we might face the Turkestan lynx’s significant distribution range decline under the ongoing and advancing climate change conditions. For a future (year 2100) warming scenario of 3 deg. C (GCM IPSL), we observe a decrease of 35% in Kazakhstan, 40% in Kyrgyzstan, and 30% in China as the three countries with the highest current predicted distribution range. For a milder temperature increase of 1.5–2 deg. C. (GCM MRI), we observe an increase of 17% Kazakhstan, decrease of 10% in Kyrgyzstan, and 57% in China. For a cooling scenario of approx. 1–1.5 deg. C (GCM MIROC), we observe a decrease of 14% Kazakhstan, increase of 11% in Kyrgyzstan, and a decrease of 13% in China. These modeled declines indicate the necessity to create new and expand the existing protected areas and establish ecological corridors between the countries in Central and South Asia.

Features of the floristic composition of communities with the participation of Malus sieversii on the territory of “Zhongar - Alatau” National Park

Dzungarian Alatau mountain is a unique place of agrobiodiversity concentration. The apple forests consisted of the red book species Malus sieversii (Ledeb.) M. Roem. in combination with Abies sibirica Ledeb. and Populus tremula L. form a pronounced altitudinal-climatic band within 1200-1600 m in Dzungarian Alatau. In this article the features of the floristic composition of M. sieversii communities in four gorges of the Zhongar-Alatau National Park (Pikhto-voye, Mushabay, Kok-Zhota and Krutoye) were revealed. Plant species characteristic of the apple forest belt are shown. In the studied communities, there are 138 species of higher vascular plants from 110 genera, 42 families. The leading families in terms of the number of species are Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Rosaceae, Poaceae, Lamiaceae. Generic coefficient was revealed as 79.7 %. The ecological and geographical analysis of the noted species indicates that the floristic richness of the communities is mainly due to the natural conditions of growth, the leading of which are the height, exposure, moisture content of the substrate, and the closeness of the crowns of the tree canopy. In addition, the degree of anthropogenic impact on communities is of great importance.

Investigation of nanoscale and microscale structured cooling surfaces of thermal power plants

Studies were conducted of the heat exchange crisis depending on the coolant excess (which determined the underheating and flow rate), the thermal-physical properties of the heating surface, and the ejection of liquid droplets from the porous structure. A model of dynamics of vapor bubbles born on the solid surface in porous structures and the vapor-generating wall (substrate) has been developed. The model is based on cinematography with an SKS-1M speed camera. The removal of high heat flows (up to 2·106 W/m2) is provided through the joint action of capillary and mass forces with the use of intensifiers. Equations are obtained of critical heat flows through the thermohydraulic characteristics of the boiling process in woven porous structures. The research is of practical importance in the limiting state region of the steam-generating surface protected by cooling from overburning. Three mineral media (tuff, granite, marble) of Zaili and Dzungarian Alatau mountains near the city of Almaty (Kazakhstan) were considered. The method of holographic interferometry was used to study porous thermodynamic screens. The stress and deformed state of the samples was studied. Simulation of the acoustic field of the blast wave with th e thermodynamic field created by three thermal sources has shown its high efficiency. The created powerful thermal screen, due to the generation of strain and thermal stress fields, is an obstacle to the propagation of the reflected blast wave, causing the emergence and development of destructive cracks. Nanoscale and microscale structured surfaces in the form of coatings and mesh structures have been developed, which give an integrated effect of industrial meshes with natural mineral media coatings and have synergistic advantages of combining these two developments in an integrated technology of their production, expansion of critical thermal loads and management of the limiting state of porous coatings.

Средние многолетние значения метеорологических элементов зимнего периода в Иле Алатау

The article is devoted to calculations of the average long-term characteristics of the weather in the Ile Alatau Mountains. This is necessary for the long-term assessment of avalanche danger and planning the work of special services. The main factors of avalanche formation are the height and strength of the snow cover, as well as the amount of precipitation. These characteristics have been observed for many years at the avalanche stations "Shymbulak" and "Lake Ulken Almaty" near the city of Almaty. The average values of meteorological elements were calculated for the period 2001-2021. The data were collected from various sources - technical reports of avalanche stations, data from meteorological stations of international exchange and the archives of the Institute of Geography. Based on the results of the work, a climatic reference book was created for the needs of workers of the avalanche service.

Diversity of the genus RosaL. in the conditions of the Dzungarian Alatau mountains

The article presents and describes the plants of the genus RosaL. growing on the territory of the Dzungarian Alatau. As a result of the study of literature sources, it was found that out of 57 species of the Rosaceaefamily, growing in the territory of the CIS countries, there are 10 species of the genus RosaL. (R. beggerianaSchrenk, R. caninaL., R. platyacantha Schrenk, R. laxa Retz., R. spinosissima L., R. alberti Regel, R. schrenkiana Crep., R. acicularis Lindl., R. majalis Herrm, R. nanothamnus Bouleng.). The state of the vegetation cover of the Dzungarian Alatau for 2015, 2017 and 2020 was also studied using the program. The gradual degradation of the plant community of this mountain system is determined.

Ecosystems of protected area of the Natural Park “Medeu”

The article presents the results of mapping ecosystems of the protected area of the Natural Park “Medeu”,located on the northern slope of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountain range. The map of ecosystems and a legend has beencompiled. The legend contains 13 numbers. The largest sections of the legend are the natural ecosystems of the protectedarea and the natural-anthropogenic ecosystems of the buffer zone and the zone of limited economic activity. The habitatsof species from Red Data book of Kazakhstan that form communities (Malus sieversii (Ledeb.) M. Roem., Armeniacavulgaris Lam., Celtis australis subsp. caucasica (Willd.) C. C. Towns. identified, and their brief characteristics are given.

STUDY OF CONDITIONS OF GULLY FORMATION IN MOUNTAIN REGIONS OF SOUTH-EAST KAZAKHSTAN WITH USE OF GIS-TECHNOLOGIES

In the article the results of field and laboratory researches of gully erosion in the mountains of Zhetysu Alatau of south-east Kazakhstan are considered. Mountain ridge Malaisary was chosen for study of gully erosion. Malaisary ridge is the western ridge of Zhetysu Alatau mountains in the south-east Kazakhstan. Foothills and plain territories of southeast Kazakhstan are characterized by favorable conditions for the development of erosion processes. There was conducted stationary monitoring (yearly in October from 2013 to 2018) of gully erosion development on the Malaisary ridge from 2013 to 2018. Most of gullies of studied ridge show development in the top part and extend in the width mainly due to fluvial processes. There were studied the natural-anthropogenic factors influencing development of gully erosion; the morphometric characteristic received using the modern devices and satellite images are provided. The determined factors of development of gullies on Malaisary ridge are mechanical substratum composition, atmospheric precipitation (spring runoff, summer rainfalls), steepness and length of the slopes. The received materials allow concluding that gully erosion is the most active factor of the ridge relief transformation. Intensive gully erosion development increases ecological tension of natural-anthropogenic environment in the region. Growth of gully net and its active development deteriorates quality of agricultural lands and create threat to road objects and residential area infrastructure in the region.

Изменения внутригодового распределения осадков и динамика снежности в горах Кузнецкого Алатау

Изменения внутригодового распределения осадков и динамика снежности в горах Кузнецкого Алатау

Innovative technologies for assessing and forecasting the avalanche danger level in the Ile Alatau mountains

Annotation. Avalanche hazard forecasts are of great importance for ensuring the safety of residents and tourists in mountainous areas. All snow avalanches’ forecasting methods used in the work of the snow avalanche service in Kazakhstan were developed in the 80s of the XX century. They need a significant modernization. The Natural Hazards Laboratory of the Institute of Geography and Water Safety studies the advanced scientific methods for assessing and forecasting avalanche danger. In the winter period from December 2020 to April 2021, an experiment was carried out to assess the avalanche danger level in the vicinity of Almaty city and to issue a weekly avalanche bulletin. The main objective of the project is to adapt the experience of the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanches (SLF) for the conditions of Kazakhstan. In the course of the work, the meteorological information received from the meteorological stations of international exchange was analyzed. The avalanche danger level was assessed on an international five-point scale. The expert assessment was carried out taking into account the recommendations of the SLF Institute. In order to facilitate the forecaster's work, an automatic expert system using neural network technologies was developed. The neural network was trained on the long-term data on avalanche conditions in the Kishi Almaty River basin. The European center weather forecasts were used to increase the lead time of avalanche warnings. The results of avalanche danger level’s assessing were published weekly on the website of the Institute of Geography and Water Safety, as well as on the Telegram social network. This method is recommended to be used in the operational work of the Kazakhstan Hydrometeorological Service and the Kazakhstan Mudflow Protection Service.