SOILS STATE ANALYSIS IN THE SEMI-AQUATIC ZONE OF SALINE AND SODA LAKES IN ZHETYSU (BY THE EXAMPLE OF LAKE ALAKOL, SASYKKOL, ZHALANASHKOL, BALKHASH AND USHKOL)

Abstract

In the desert zone of Zhetysu, the vegetation cover of pastures is scarce and their fodder quality is very low. This is due to the dryness of the climate. The amount of atmospheric precipitation does not exceed 120-150 mm per year, most of which falls in the autumn-winter period. Summer is characterized by extreme dryness. The desertification of the territory that has been developing in recent years, the processes of soil salinization further reduce the productivity of desert pastures. Under these conditions, the vegetation cover of inland waterslocated in the desert zone is of particular interest in this article. Semi-aquatic zones of inland waters have a better wet conditionand have more developed vegetation. But not everywhere the vegetation of inland watersdevelops in the same way and it depends on edaphic conditions. Therefore, the soil studies of lakes’ semi-aquatic zone located in the desert zone in particular seem to us relevant. The aim of the study is to investigate the edaphic conditions for the vegetation cover development in the semi-aquatic zone of saline and soda lakes in the desert of Zhetysu to increase their productivity and fodder value. For the research, both fields (comparative geographic, cartographic, route reconnaissance) and laboratory research methods were used. Based on the results obtained, it was revealed that there are non-saline soils (soils of semi-aquatic coastline of Zhalanashkol, Ushkol lakes), slightly saline (soils of Balkhash, Sasykkol lakes) and highly saline (soils of the semi-aquatic coastline of alakol lake) in the study area. The main type of salinization are soda-sulfate and chloride-sulfate. The results obtained can be used as a basis for monitoring studies and as a comprehensive assessment of Zhetysu soil. The results of the study will also make it possible to assess the degree of soil degradation and vegetation cover under saline conditions.

Keywords: saltmarsh, salt licks, agrochemical analysis, water extract, higher - aquatic and semi aquatic plants, saline lakes, soda lakes.