Trans-Ili Alatau Research Articles

Development of an educational and methodological system of an electronic databank based on the cadastre of animals of the Trans-Ili Alatau (Heteroptera, Pentatomorpha)

Relevance. The relevance of the study lies in the widespread use of digital information storage systems in the practice of various modern organisations and related to the need to create an educational and methodological base to ensure the effective functioning of such systems. Purpose. The purpose of the study is a systematic investigation of the general principles of the development of the educational and methodological base of the electronic databank, the basis of which is the cadastre of animals of the Trans-Ili Alatau (Heteroptera, Pentatomorpha). Methodology. The methodological approach in this study is based on theoretical and applied research on a wide range of issues related to the development of electronic databank systems based on the cadastre of fauna representatives. Results. The findings indicate the presence of numerous advantages of the development of an educational and methodological system of an electronic databank based on the cadastre of animals. This kind of system allows saving information on animal species living within a given habitat and receiving it for scientific research. In addition, an effective assessment of the current state of populations of the most significant species of Heteroptera and Pentatomorpha, and a retrospective analysis of the dynamics of changes in the population of species and the long-term forecasting of the development of animal populations for a sufficiently long time become available. Conclusions. The study concludes that developing an educational and methodological system of an electronic databank based on the cadastre of animals of the Trans-Ili Alatau provides significant advantages. This system enables the preservation and retrieval of information on local animal species, facilitating scientific research and effective assessment of species populations. Moreover, it allows for retrospective analysis and long-term forecasting of population dynamics, offering valuable insights for conservation efforts. Keywords: information storage; electronic databases; e-learning methods; local fauna; census of wildlife; nature conservation

MONITORING HAZARDOUS GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES AT THE KASKELEN-TALGAR PLANT USING WITH GEODESIC METHODS

The article discusses spectrometric, comparative-morphological and landscape-indication methods of interpretation, as well as instrumental measurements with the help of which one can study hazardous geological processes. The relevance of the study is characterized by the area's susceptibility to landslides, weathering, avalanches and other processes, and the excessive density of inhabitants in the mountainous and foothill parts of the Trans-Ili Alatau, which today is home to more than 2 million people. As a result of interpretation, several maps were created that make it possible to distribute the territory of the landfill according to the degree of danger of landslides and predict the position of individual landslide-prone areas. Using instrumental measurements, displacement values on landslide slopes were determined. Instrumental observations were carried out with a high-precision tacheometer TS15, light rangefinders, and a measuring tape using benchmarks installed on landslide-prone slopes. The purpose of the research work is to conduct research work on the study of geological changes at 27 observation posts, in order to assess the impact of the hazardous geological processes on the life of the population, buildings and communications. By analyzing the results of the conducted research, we can say that it was possible to directly decipher many unstudied, hard-to-reach landslide-prone areas.

Спектральные характеристики засоленной пашни в предгорной долине Заилийского Алатау (Северный Тянь-Шань) в период 2016–2022 гг. по спутниковым данным Sentinel-2

Introduction. The foothill catchment of the Zailiisky Alatau (Northern Tien Shan), adjacent to the ridge from the north, occupies an altitude range of 475–925 m above sea level and has an area of about 8500 km2. The Almaty urban agglomeration with a population of 2.5 million people is located here and there is a developed agriculture. Crop production in the sharply continental, arid and hot climate of Central Asia is based on irrigation agriculture. For irrigation in the foothill catchment, river runoff from the Zailiysky Alatau Ridge is used. In some parts of the foothill catchment there are salt stores and salt outbreaks in the landscape, which contribute to the salinization of arable land. Secondary salinization of arable land is a negative factor that reduces their quality and productivity. Monitoring the salinity of arable land is practically an important task. The most effective technologies for detailed assessment of soil salinity are based on the processing of satellite data. The purpose of the work. The purpose of this study was to analyze the long-term spectral characteristics of agricultural land potentially susceptible to secondary salinization. This information is necessary to determine optimal strategies in the task of remote assessment of salinization of arable land in the foothill catchment of the Zailiysky Alatau Ridge. Materials and research methodology. The 323 cloudless Sentinel-2 images (10 m resolution) of the period 2016–2022 were selected. Four spectral indices: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI); Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI); Vegetation Soil Salinity Index (VSSI); and Simple Ratio Index (SRI); were used to monitor the test site, which was located in the northeastern part of the foothill catchment of the Trans-Ili Alatau Ridge. The test site included three polygons of irrigated arable land subjected to secondary salinization, and two polygons of saline abandoned land. The satellite monitoring of spectral indices was used to determine the most informative periods within the season, as well as to assess the inter-seasonal stability of the results. Results and discussion. The dynamics of the considered vegetation indices (NDVI, SAVI and SRI) differed most significantly in July-August, i.e., in conditions of the most developed vegetation. The VSSI index was the most informative in April-May and December-February. The vegetation condition of saline arable lands is controlled by the moisture content and salinity of the rootinhabited soil layer. The precipitation deficit leads to deterioration in the state of vegetation, which masks the negative impact of secondary salinization of fields. Thus, the assessment of the significance of the factor of secondary salinization in the state of vegetation requires annual ground sub-satellite surveys. Conclusion. The variations in the values of the spectral indices of test polygons are very large and depend on the seasonal weather characteristics. Therefore, practically significant satellite methods for assessing the salinity of arable land in the foothill catchment of the Trans-Ili Alatau Ridge should be based on annual sub-satellite surveys. This limits the range of significant remote sensing technologies, methods of extrapolation of sub-satellite surveys data to regular grids, within territories with similar hydrological characteristics and land-use types.

Morphometry of the medicinal species Ajania fastigiata (structure features)

The Asian genus Ajania Poljakov comprises about 30-40 species. Because of its complex taxonomic history with numerous movements of species between the two main groups of Artemisiinae Less., Ajania and individual genera are a particularly interesting group to study. Ajania cover most of the entire distribution range in Central Asia, with most in China, Korea, Japan and the Far East. The purpose of this research work is to clarify the morphological features of Ajania fastigiata (C. Winkl.) Poljakov, diagnostic features of vegetative organs of medicinal plants, which improves the quality of selection of raw materials for use in pharmacology. The material for the study was collected in September 2022. Morphometric data and macro-images were taken using a Levenhuk DTX RC3 remote-controlled microscope. The morphometric features were measured using “ImageJ” software The basic features were based on data from “Flora of Kazakhstan” and ‘Central Asian Explorer”. As a result of analysis of morphometric data Ajania fastigiata for Trans-Ili Alatau determined diagnostic features of vegetative organs of medicinal plants, which can improve the quality of selection of raw materials for use in pharmacology: height from 30 to 110 cm, but in most cases 50-80 cm; stem in the middle part 1.3-1.5 mm; width of septate leaves 0.7-1.0 mm; diameter of the basket 3.5-3.7 mm, stem of the basket 0.6-0.7 mm; diameter of the lower part of the tubular flower 0.5 mm, upper part 0.7 mm.

Results of Geodetic Measurements of the Mass Balance of Some Glaciers in the Trans-Ili Alatau

Results of Geodetic Measurements of the Mass Balance of Some Glaciers in the Trans-Ili Alatau

Assessment of Biological and Ecological Characteristics of Sievers Apple Tree Pests in Trans-Ili Alatau, Kazakhstan

This research aimed to evaluate the occurrence of three significant pests, namely the apple ermine moth (Y. malinellus Zell.), the rosebush leaf roller (A. rosana L.), and the hawthorn leaf roller (C. crataegana Hb.), commonly found in Sievers apple trees. The research was conducted within the Ili-Alatau state national natural park, focusing on populations of the Sievers apple tree on the northern slope of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountain range. The study revealed varying pest abundances across different monitoring sites within the park. The apple ermine moth (Y. malinellus Zell.) exhibited lower occurrence compared to A. rosana L. and C. crataegana Hb. The Aksai and Kuznetsov Gorge populations of the Sievers apple tree showed higher susceptibility to the ermine moth. The rosebush leaf roller (A. rosana L.) was dominant in the Aksai and Oi-Zhailau populations, while the hawthorn leaf roller (C. crataegana Hb.) exhibited higher abundance in several monitoring sites. Phenological studies revealed that Y. malinellus Zell. have a life cycle of one year, the developmental stages of A. rosana L. last for approximately 9–10 months, and the life cycle of C. crataegana Hb. is also one year. The data obtained allowed us to assess pest status, which will hopefully help in developing protective measures for suppressing their outbreak in the region.

Morphological characteristics and anatomical features of the perennial herb Ajania fastigiata (C.Winkl.) Poljakov (Asteraceae)

Medicinal plants are currently the most relevant objects of research. Since the final product that is obtained from useful plants belongs to the most valuable medicines. Particularly interesting plants in medicine are those containing essential oils, for example, species of the genus Artemisia, but few people know that closely related species of the genus Ajaniaare also rich in essential oils. The genus Ajaniabelongs to the Asteraceae family. Only 2 species of this genus are found in Kazakhstan: Ajania fruticulosa(Ledeb.) Poljak (shrub) and Ajania fastigiata (C.Winkl.) Poljak (perennial plant).Our object of research is Ajania fastigiata, which is dis-tributed throughout the mountainous territory of the Southern and Southeastern regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is little studied in terms of precise morphological and anatomical features, knowledge of which makes it possible to quickly determine and refine the species. The nearest point in the Trans-Ili Alatau was chosen for the prototype. The research methods were classical botanical and anatomical. When analyzing the approximate population, the morphological data of the species for this territory were clarified. Anatomical studies have shown that the leaves of Ajania fastigiata contain essential oil glands and receptacles for metabolic products. The stems of this species have a characteristic arrangement of sclerenchyma in separate strands.

Antiulcer Activity of Anthraquinone-Flavonoid Complex of Rumex tianschanicus Losinsk.

The composition of an ethanol extract from the roots of Rumex tianschanicus Losinsk of the Trans-Ili Alatau wild flora was studied in order to determine its antiulcer activity. The phytochemical composition of the anthraquinone-flavonoid complex from (AFC) R. tianschanicus revealed the presence of numerous polyphenolic compounds, the most abundant of which are anthraquinones (1.77%), flavonoids (6.95%), and tannins (13.39%). The use of column chromatography (CC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in conjunction with UV, IR, NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry data allowed the researchers to isolate and identify the major components of the anthraquinone-flavonoid complex's polyphenol fraction: physcion, chrysophanol, emodin, isorhamnetin, quercetin, and myricetin. The gastroprotective effect of the polyphenolic fraction of the anthraquinone-flavonoid complex (AFC) of R. tianschanicus roots was examined in an experimental model of rat gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin. The preventive and therapeutic effect of the anthraquinone-flavonoid complex at a dose of 100 mg/kg was analyzed using intragastric administration per day for 1 to 10 days, followed by a histological examination of stomach tissues. It has been demonstrated that prophylactic and prolonged use of the AFC R. tianschanicus in laboratory animals resulted in significantly less pronounced hemodynamic and desquamative changes in the epithelium of gastric tissues. The acquired results thus offer fresh insight into the anthraquinone and flavonoid metabolite component composition of R. tianschanicus roots, and they imply that the examined extract can be used to develop herbal medicines with antiulcer activity.

О некоторых консортивных связях птиц и растений-эфемероидов

The use of ephemeroids in feeding and as nest material by birds is assessed in this report. The consumption of 18 species of plants by Alectoris chukar and Phasianus colchicus both in nature (Trans Ili Alatau) as well as in culture (collection of the Botanical Garden of Almaty) was noted. In the Western Tien Shan, Passer hispaniolensis and Emberiza bruniceps utilized seven species of ephemeroids for nest building, most often Gymnospermium alberti, Ranunculus regelianus and Poa bulbosa. In the nests of six other passerine species, individual parts of such plants are less common and are used only as an admixture.

ANALYSIS OF THE STATE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN ALMATY

Public transport today is again gaining relevance as a means of transportation in connection with the personal cars that have flooded urban spaces. The city of Almaty is no exception and since the beginning of the last decade has taken a course to organize pilot projects to create a priority for the movement of public transport. The difficulty of implementing such innovations is the public, accustomed to crossing long distances by private vehicles, and in most cases city streets are loaded from nearby agglomerations. The emergence of such a trend is directly related to the expansion of the city in breadth, i.e. from east to west, because the natural uniqueness of the urban area in the south is limited by the mountain ranges of the Trans-Ili Alatau. This paper is presented taking into account the existing initial data for the study of public transport issues through the introduction of the GTFS scientific methodology, which can give a new angle of view on the current situation with the organization of bus and trolleybus routes. This paper focuses on studying the potential of public transport in Almaty for consistent growth, because with the help of the restructuring of route networks and the creation of a priority traffic network, there is a chance to achieve an increase in capacity and an increase in the number of users. The aim of this article is to provide information about the current state of the public transport network and to discuss the potential of geographic information systems (GIS) within the urban space, which are guided by spatial analysis approaches related to the processing of General Transit Feed Specification data (GTFS), since statistical data are based on providing a complete picture of the existing transport network, and afterwards can become the basis for subsequent optimization of public transport traffic. This paper creates new perspectives for future development of public transport and restructuring of the understanding how to create public network according to necessity in Almaty city.

On the taxonomy and diversity of Cruciferae in Kazakhstan

Taxonomy and species diversity of the mustard family (Cruciferae or Brassicaceae) in Kazakhstan is updated. Draba bajtenovii described and hitherto known from Kungei Alatau is synonymized with D. fladnizensis for which it is a southern limit of distribution in the Eurasia, while Trans-Ili Alatau endemic D. microcarpella is found conspecific with a montane Asian D. lanceolata. Noccaea thlaspidioides (N. cochleariformis) is confirmed to occur in the country based on collections from Altai. Finally, Isatis trachycarpa and Smelowskia annua are shown to be absent in the flora of Kazakhstan due to the lack of gatherings confirming their occurrence in the country.

Рост сеянцев ели Шренка (Picea schrenkiana) при предпосевной стимулирующей обработке семян

The uniqueness of the biological properties and the occurrence in nature of the Schrenk’s Spruce (Picea schrenkiana Fisch. & C.A. Mey.), its great forestry significance, and important eco-stabilizing functions of its stands in the Northern Tian Shan are of great interest to a wide range of researchers in many countries. However, many characteristics of this endemic species have been poorly studied so far, and information on the effectiveness of its introduction is extremely limited. We investigated the characteristics of growth and development of spruce seedlings in the conditions of the Nizhny Novgorod region. The seeds were harvested in natural plantations on the territory of the Almaty State Nature Reserve, which is located in the Central part of the Trans-Ili Alatau in South-Eastern Kazakhstan. They were sown in an open ground nursery under stimulating treatment with the following bioactive stimulants: siliplant, ferovit, ecofus, kornevin, heteroauxin, zircon, extrasol, epin, and albit. The soaking of all the seeds in water at the same exposure for 24 h served as control. The aftereffect of bioactive substances in the pre-sowing stimulating treatment of Shrenk’s spruce seeds was found to activate the growth processes of the aboveground part of its seedlings during the introduction into the Nizhny Novgorod region. It was found that the biennial part of seedlings axial shoot had unequal length in different experimental options. The highest values were achieved in the variants with the use of the following stimulants: ferovit (5.95±0.02 cm), heteroauxin (5.62±0.16 cm), ecofus (5.47±0.32 cm), and albit (5.49±0.015 cm). The generalized value was 5.08±0.07 cm. The growth characteristics of seedlings also respond to the stimulating effect. The best results in this case were shown by ferovit (2.25±0.023 cm) and heteroauxin (1.96±0.17 cm). The differences in the number of side shoots are less contrasting. However, we can also see the previously noted trends: ferovit (1.42±0.25 pcs); heteroauxin (1.34±0.19 pcs); and albit (1.31±0.19 pcs). We obtained the certificate of sufficient resource of natural conditions of the region for seed breeding of Schrenk’s spruce in the open ground and the significant potential of its introduction to the Nizhny Novgorod region.

Modeling of the Calm Situations in the Atmosphere of Almaty

This article addresses modeling of the atmospheric boundary layer of the city of Almaty (Kazakhstan) in stagnant, environmentally unfavorable conditions using WRF Model. The city is located on the northern slope of Trans-Ili Alatau, where the rate of recurrence of calm and low-wind (1–2 m/sec) days reaches about 80%. All simulations were made for a period from 28.11.2016 to 05.12.2016, covering main synoptic situations of the stagnant atmosphere: the extent of Asian anticyclone, higher and lower pressure gradient fields. The model integrated three nested domains with grid sizes 9, 3 and 1 km, respectively. The initial boundary conditions were formed based on ERA5-reanalysis. Subject to the WRF model requirements, the land-use map with a standard USGS set (24 categories) was developed, to which 3 categories of the urban areas were added. The most relevant configuration of parameterization methods was selected: short-wave and long-wave radiation (Mlawer), surface layer (Monin-Obukhov similarity theory), urban area (BEP), boundary layer (Bougeault-Lacarrere), turbulence (Smagorinsky). The article demonstrates that the WRF model adequately reflects fundamental urban atmosphere patterns in the most unfavorable anticyclone periods of the autumn-winter season. It was established that the accuracy of estimates decreases with the transition to weak cyclonic activity. Based on the simulation results and remote sensing data, the territory in question is divided into four climatic zones to which a comparative method was applied; however for a detailed correlative analysis a denser network of meteorological stations is required. Calculations showed that the wind along the Ili river valley prevails in the northern part, regularly changing its western direction to eastern. Near the mountain area mountain-valley wind circulation prevails. The blocking inversion layer has a strong impact. The urban heat islands strongly depend on wind conditions. For example, a nocturnal heat island is cooled by the cold wind flow from the mountains.

Route measurements of natural surface radiation background in the Almaty region

Measurements of the spatial distribution of radon isotopes were carried out from April 2021 to August 2021 in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau of the Tien Shan in the Almaty region at various heights above sea level: from 500 to 2500 meters. They were carried out using electronic radiometric equipment: beta-dosimeter “RKS-01B-SOLO”; gamma dosimeter “RKS-01G-SOLO”; radiometer of radon and its daughter decay products “RAMON- 02” in the field. As a result, preliminary assessment schemes were built for route measurements of the 222Rn radon isotope, beta and gamma radiation fields from natural daughter products of decay of radon isotopes and radionuclides located in the surface atmospheric layer.

A new species of the genus Notaris Gernar, 1817 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Kazakhstan

A new species, Notaris (Asionotaris) temreshevi Legalov, sp. nov. from Trans-Ili Alatau (Kazakhstan) is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to N. (A.) imprudens Faust, 1885 from Kyrgyzstan but differs from it in the smaller body sizes, the pronotum punctate by large points, densely punctate elytral interstriae with long setae, and the apex of the aedeagus weakly extended forward. A distribution map for N. (A.) temreshevi Legalov, sp. nov. and N. (A.) imprudens is given.

New to Kazakhstan species of zygomycetes in forest soil of Trans-Ili Alatau and Kungey Alatau

This article provides data on two species of soil zygomycetes, new to Kazakhstan, found in the rhizosphere of various woody plants in the Trans-Ili and Kungey Alatau (Northern Tien Shan) – Piptocephalis cylindrospora and Lichtheimia corymbifera. P. cylindrospora is an obligate parasite of zygomycetous fungi; in the study area, it was found twice in Kungey Alatau on species Absidia spinosa and Lichtheimia corymbifera in the rhizosphere of Populus tremula. It does not cause a noticeable deterioration in the development of the host. Earlier, in Kazakhstan, only Piptocephalis arrhiza was registered in the rhizosphere of Armeniaca vulgaris, Populus tremula, Picea schrenkiana, Juniperus spp. Lichtheimia corymbifera, previously belonging to the genus Absidia, was recorded in the rhizosphere of Populus tremula in Kungey Alatau and in the rhizosphere of Picea schrenkiana, Salix sp., Crataegus sp. in Trans-Ili Alatau. L. corymbifera is characterized by heights of 1677 m in Kungey Alatau, and from 1516 to 2007 m a. s. l. in Trans-Ili Alatau. Until recently, in Kazakhstan, only a closely related species Absidia spinosa was isolated from the rhizosphere of Malus sieversii, Armeniaca vulgaris, Crataegus spp., Pinus sylvestris, Populus spp., Sorbus tianschanica, Picea schrenkiana, Salix spp. Descriptions of species colonies based on isolated pure cultures, morphological data, information on ecology and distribution are offered. In L. corymbiferacultures, the so-called “self-parasitism” is observed, in which the fungal hyphae colonize sporangiophores, and the latter look like penetrated by hyphae. The sexual stage of both species was not found in our studies.

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.

Determination of the Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Lavatera thuringiaca L. Medicinal Herb Material Extracted under Subcritical Conditions by the Liquid Carbon Dioxide Method.

This article presents the composition of the components of Lavatera thuringiaca L. (Malvaceae Juss. family), which has a certain antibacterial effect. The plant collection was carried out in the Shamalgan gorge of Mountain Range of the Trans-Ili Alatau in the territory of the Karasay district of the Almaty region, in the flowering phase. A CO2 extract of the aboveground part of the medicinal plant Lavatera thuringiaca L. was obtained under subcritical conditions and, for the first time, studied for its component composition and antimicrobial activity. Determination of the chemical composition of the extract was carried out by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). To identify the obtained mass spectra, we used the Wiley 7th edition and the NIST'02 data library. To determine the antimicrobial and antifungal activity, standard test strains of microorganisms were used: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538-P, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Streptococcus pneumonia ATCC 660, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. In the composition of thick CO2Lavatera thuringiaca L. extract, the content of 31 components was proven: spathulenol 6.97%, pulegone 5 08%, cis-β-farnesene 7.63%, verbenone 1.93%, α-bisabolol oxide B 9.65%, bisabolol oxide A 8.26%, α-bisabolol 1.36%, linolenic acid, ethyl ether 3.15%, phytol 2.49%, herniarin 5.61%, linolenic acid 9.38%, linoleic acid 6.95%, myristic acid 2.33%, and elaidic acid 2.57%. Antimicrobial activity studies have shown that the CO2 extract of Lavatera thuringiaca L. has a pronounced effect against clinically significant microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Streptococcus pneumonia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. During testing, the method of serial dilutions proved that the extract of Lavatera thuringiaca L. has a bactericidal effect on Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of 0.83 μg/μl, on Escherichia coli at a concentration of 3.33 μg/μl, on Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a concentration of 0.83 μg/μl, on Streptococcus pneumoniae at a concentration of 1.67 μg/μl, on a clinical isolate of Staphylococcus haemolyticus at a concentration of 26.65 μg/μl, on Staphylococcus saprophyticus at a concentration of 6.67 μg/μl, and against Klebsiella pneumoniae at a concentration of 13.36 μg/μl. The test result showed that the extract also has fungicidal activity against the test culture of Candida albicans at a concentration of 0.21 μg/μl. At tests, the disc diffusion method proved that the extract has antimicrobial activity with high values of the growth suppression zone exceeding 15 mm. The zones of growth retardation of the test strains were 19.33 ± 1.15 for Staphylococcus aureus; 17.33 ± 3.21 for Escherichia coli; 15.67 ± 0.57 for Pseudomonas aeruginosa; 20.0 ± 1.0 for Streptococcus pneumoniae; 16.0 ± 2.64 for Klebsiella pneumoniae; 15.0 ± 1.0 for Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and 22.0 ± 1.73 for Candida albicans. In relation to the clinical isolate of Staphylococcus haemolyticus, the extract has a bacteriostatic effect.

DETERMINATION OF REDUCED PHYSICOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TWO-PHASE SOILS PECULIAR TO LANDSLIDES OF NORTHERN TIAN SHAN

This article is devoted to integral analysis of physicomechanical properties of surface soils peculiar to Akkain, Kok Tobe and Shymbulak landslides of Trans-Ili Alatau located in close vicinity to city borders and in Almaty. While analyzing previous landslides of this region, the authors determined three main reasons of landslide occurrence on these mountain slopes: water saturation of surface subsoils during spring rainfalls, technogenic and gravitational reasons. It has been concluded that in many cases landslides occur due to water saturation of subsoils. It is proposed to consider landslide subsoils as two-phase medium. Algorithm of prediction of reduced physicomechanical properties of two-phase subsoil is summarized. Actual predictions are carried out using the proposed procedure and algorithms. The obtained results for certain types of loose subsoils, such as sandy clay, various loams and clays, are summarized in tables which are required for deep study of landslide occurrence in water saturated subsoils of these slopes on the basis of strain–stress states.

GYMNOSPERMIUM ALTAICUM (PALL.) SPACH (BERBERIDACEAE), AN EARLY SPRING ELEMENT OF WILD FRUIT FORESTS OF THE TRANS-ILI ALATAU

The floristic composition of communities of apple and hawthorn forests with the participation of the rare species Gymnospermium altaicum (Pall.) Spach was studied in the Trans-Ili (Zailiyskiy) Alatau . The list of higher plants includes 156 species from 121 genera and 48 families. Most of them (84%) are herbaceous plants; there are 25 tree and shrub species, nine of which are wild non-native species. Representatives of ten families make up 65% of the total number of species. The floristic core of the surveyed communities consists of 39 species, which mainly belong to the group of forest and forest-meadow ecological elements. Also other rare species listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan, Malus sieversii, Armeniaca vulgaris and Paeonia intermedia, were found in these communities. We noticed signs of anthropogenic disturbance in the studied communities, including the presence of  adventive and wild non-native species. We recommend to organize regular monitoring and strengthen the protection of the communities surveyed. Key words: Gymnospermium, Berberidaceae, Red Data Book of Kazakhstan, plant communities, floristic composition, Trans-Ili Alatau.