Joint Study by Astana International University and the University of Warsaw Published in an International Scientific Journal

The results of an international study on the distribution of Ledebour’s almond (Prunus ledebouriana) in Tarbagatai National Park have been published in Springer Nature’s Environmental Monitoring and Assessment journal. The study involved the NatureLaB Research Laboratory at Astana International University and the Faculty of Biology at the University of Warsaw.

The publication is the result of scientific cooperation between the two universities in studying Kazakhstan’s biodiversity. Representatives of Tottori University and scientific organisations from Poland, Japan and Israel also participated in the research. The international study combined expertise in plant ecology and geoinformation technologies.

The researchers used images captured by an unmanned aerial vehicle and Pléiades Neo satellite imagery. Field data were used to prepare materials for training and validating a one-dimensional convolutional neural network model. The analysis included 18 indicators describing the spectral properties and textures of the images, as well as terrain and climate characteristics.

The overall mapping accuracy was approximately 80%. According to the modelling results, Ledebour’s almond shrubs cover around 7.5% of the surveyed area. Nearly 70% of the identified sites are located at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 metres above sea level. A relationship was also identified between the distribution of the species and the steepness and aspect of the slopes.

The practical value of the study lies in the potential use of the resulting maps for habitat monitoring, selecting observation sites and planning conservation measures. This approach can also be applied to the study of other plant species in mountainous areas.

The joint publication makes a significant contribution to strengthening scientific ties between Astana International University and the University of Warsaw, as well as advancing research on the conservation of Kazakhstan’s plant diversity and environmental monitoring.

The joint study by Astana International University and the University of Warsaw represents an important contribution to biodiversity conservation. The involvement of specialists from the NatureLaB Laboratory facilitated the exchange of experience and the application of modern digital tools in studying plants across Kazakhstan.