PSXI-20 - Satellite analysis and monitoring of rangelands of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan ranks 5th in the world in terms of pasture area, with 30% of land used as pasture. Evaluating pasture resources is relevant for improving the pasture lands regulation system. Since 2018, National Space Agency has carried out the Ministry of Agriculture space pastures monitoring program. The main task is a seasonal satellite evaluation of the degradation productivity degree pasture vegetation. Thematic analysis remote sensing data from KazEOSat-1, 2 satellites and territory geoinformation made it possible to determine, with a high accuracy: land boundaries and areas, seasonal state and average vegetation type pastures productivity evaluation, integration with land cadastre data identified unaccounted pastures, and animal identification system made it possible to assess pastures load. Seasonal state pastures evaluation done by satellite parameter choice. The main factor influencing vegetation spectral properties is biomass increase. Spectral reflectance decreases in spectrum’s red part and near-IR range increases, vegetation index value changes. The vegetation index was used to create correct linear weighing system: vegetation parameters values (the green plant biomass volume projective leaf cover of the soil). To calculate seasonal productivity, GNDVI vegetation index used to more chlorophyll concentration than NDVI index. GNDVI showed best correlation calculating productivity, concidering exposed soil atmosphere influence. Satellite evaluation showed digital maps (pasture.gharysh.kz). The area was counted according to condition degradation and productivity. In Karaganda region’s Zhanaarkinsky district brown soils are widespread, with little humus, natural and man-made desertification is observed. The minimum productivity of pastures was 0-3 c / ha, average - 7.7 c / ha, maximum - 12-15 c / ha. In 2020, 73% (4,364.0 thousand hectares) pastures were poor assessed, 18.4% (1,104.3 thousand hectares) - very poor. The reason is the location in the desert and semi-desert zones, the annual rainfall is 150 mm. Degraded pastures in 2020 amounted to 449.1 thousand hectares (93.8% degradation of a low degree, 5.8% of a medium degree, 0.4% of a strong degree).