NATURAL-GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS FOR ASSESSING THE DEGREE OF INTENSITY OF GEOSYSTEM FUNCTIONING

Abstract

The transformation of geosystems in the Republic of Kazakhstan is determined by the combined influence of anthropogenic factors associated with intensive economic activity and natural processes driven by global climate warming. Acting together, these drivers substantially modify the structure and functioning of natural complexes, affect their stability, and alter their capacity to adapt to ongoing environmental change.

The aim of this study is to identify the physical and geographical factors that affect the intensity of the functional performance of river‑basin geosystems across Kazakhstan and to quantitatively assess the seasonal rhythmicity of these factors. To achieve this aim, the “indicator of landscape biological efficiency” method is applied and examined in detail using the geosystems of the Sharyn River basin as a case study. The functional state of geosystems is evaluated on the basis of heat and moisture supply and is calculated from the annual sum of air temperatures above 10 °C and the annual humidity coefficient, which together characterize the potential productivity of the natural conditions.

The functional dynamics of the geosystems are analysed using indicators derived from the LandViewer EOSDA digital monitoring platform and long‑term observational data provided by Kazhydromet. By combining the NDVI and NDWI remote‑sensing indices with integrated measures of key climatic parameters, the study identifies and classifies the rhythmicity of natural processes during the cold‑snow and vegetation phases of the annual cycle. As a result, spatial differences in the seasonal rhythmicity of natural processes are revealed for geosystems located in various physico‑geographical zones of the Sharyn River basin, and these geosystems are grouped according to the degree of their functional activity in the cold‑snow and vegetation seasons.