REMOTE SENSING-BASED EVALUATION OF LAND DEGRADATION AND MOISTURE VARIABILITY IN POST-NUCLEAR LANDSCAPES OF KAZAKHSTAN

Zh.K. Mukaliyev; Zh.M. Zhumatayeva; A.A. Assylbekova; A.A. Bekkuliyev; D.S. Onalbayeva; T.K. Rafikov

doi:10.26577/JGEM20257943

Authors

Zh.K. Mukaliyev Al-Farabi Kazakh National University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9292-7468
Zh.M. Zhumatayeva Al-Farabi Kazakh National University https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6113-3614
A.A. Assylbekova Al-Farabi Kazakh National University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8609-3855
A.A. Bekkuliyev Al-Farabi Kazakh National University https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6598-8420
D.S. Onalbayeva Kazakh National Agrarian Research University https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5235-6601
T.K. Rafikov Kazakh National Agrarian Research University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5043-8874

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26577/JGEM20257943

Keywords:

remote sensing, land degradation, soil moisture, NDVI index, Semipalatinsk Test Site

Abstract

Land degradation and ecosystem imbalance remain major environmental challenges in Kazakhstan, particularly in post-technogenic and radiation-affected territories. The Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site represents a unique area for studying long-term landscape transformation and recovery.

This research aims to evaluate land degradation and surface moisture variability between 2019 and 2025 using Sentinel-2 remote sensing data. The methodology integrates the calculation of key spectral indices - SWIR, NDWI, NDVI, and MSI - to assess vegetation dynamics, moisture content, and surface dryness.

Results indicate a noticeable increase in NDVI and NDWI and a decrease in MSI and SWIR, confirming the improvement of soil moisture and vegetation recovery, along with a reduction in aridity. The area of moist and vegetated lands expanded by approximately 20 - 25 %, demonstrating active natural renaturation processes.

The study highlights the effectiveness of Sentinel-2 multispectral monitoring for ecological rehabilitation assessment in post-technogenic regions of Kazakhstan. The findings contribute to sustainable land management and environmental monitoring in arid landscapes.

Author Biographies

Zh.K. Mukaliyev, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

PhD student, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Cartography and Geoinformatics, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University; Chief Specialist at the RSE “State Institute for Agricultural Aerial Surveying (GISHAGI)”

Zh.M. Zhumatayeva , Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

PhD student, Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Management, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

A.A. Assylbekova , Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

PhD, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Cartography and Geoinformatics, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

A.A. Bekkuliyev, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

Senior Lecturer at the Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University; Head of the Department of Cartography, Information Systems and Technical Support at the State Institute for Agricultural Aerial Surveying (GISHAGI)”

D.S. Onalbayeva , Kazakh National Agrarian Research University

PhD student; Kazakh National Agrarian Research University

T.K. Rafikov , Kazakh National Agrarian Research University