Ecological status and taxonomic diversity of urban green plantings of Astana, Kazakhstan

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Samarkand State University named after Sharof Rashidov, Astana, Kazakhstan

2 Astana International University, Astana, Kazakhstan

3 LLP “Ecoservice”, Astana, Kazakhstan

4 L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, Kazakhstan

10.22124/cjes.2026.9494

Abstract

Urban green spaces are a key element in the conservation of biological diversity and the maintenance of environmental sustainability under conditions of intensive urbanization, especially in regions with a sharply continental climate. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the ecological status, sanitary condition, and taxonomic diversity of tree and shrub plantings in the city of Astana (Kazakhstan) based on field inventory data and geoinformation analysis. During the study, 1,345,872 specimens of tree and shrub plants belonging to 155 species, forms, and cultivars, 61 genera, and 27 families were recorded. The taxonomic structure is dominated by the families Rosaceae (30.3%), Pinaceae (9.0%), and Salicaceae (9.0%). Deciduous species account for 85.4%, and coniferous species for 14.6% of the total number of plantings. According to the results of the sanitary assessment, more than 69.0% of plants belong to the sanitary condition category I (healthy). Salix alba and Populus nigra proved to be the most resistant to urban environmental conditions. Spatial analysis revealed pronounced differences between the administrative districts of the city, determined by the history of urban development, the level of anthropogenic load, and the intensity of maintenance of green spaces. The obtained results emphasize the importance of systematic GIS-based inventory as a tool for monitoring urban biodiversity and for developing scientifically grounded strategies for sustainable management of green infrastructure in cities with a continental climate.

Keywords

References

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Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 24, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 47-61

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