Investigation of soil degradation processes in the Makat farm in Atyrau region

The study conducted in the Makati region includes granulometric analysis, vegetation assessment, topsoil evaluation (horizons A and B), and chemical testing to determine soil resistance to mechanical stress. The results of the soil stability analysis indicate that the upper soil layers across all sites are more vulnerable to erosion and soil exhaustion. This is primarily due to a reduction in clay content, the depletion of humus, and the accumulation of toxic salts. The decline in vegetation cover further aggravates the issue, pointing to severe pasture degradation. These findings highlight the urgent need for soil conservation measures, such as improving soil physical properties and mitigating salt exposure, to support ecosystem restoration. Field studies also identified a variety of soil profiles, with gray-brown salt marsh and brackish soils being the most prevalent. These soil types are marked by low buffering capacity, which intensifies the degradation process. The analysis classified soil degradation in the region as moderate to severe. Anthropogenic factors, including mechanical disturbances and improper land use, significantly accelerate soil degradation. This, in turn, compromises ecosystem stability by diminishing soil quality and reducing its productivity, thereby negatively impacting the broader environment of the region.

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