EurAsian Journal of BioSciences Eurasia J Biosci 13, 1231-1243 (2019)

Current state of ecosystems and their recreational use of the Burabai National Park (Northern Kazakhstan)

Farida Akiyanova 1*, Aksholpan Atalikhova 1, Zulfira Jussupova 1, Aliya Simbatova 1, Adlet Nazhbiev 1 1 Institute of Geography and Environmental Research, “Astana” International Science Complex 8, KAZAKHSTAN *Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract The subject of study is the area of the Burabai National Park (53°05’00”N 70°18’00”W) located in the north of Kazakhstan. The article considers the current state of the many natural features of unique park which is included in the national system of specially protected areas. The Park is characterized by atypical mountain-forest landscapes with, for a steppe zone, a high biological diversity, which is a direct result of the area’s geological and geomorphological structure. The central part of the Park is located within the Borovskoy granite massif which is of Middle-Paleozoic origin, with a ring system of faults with which the low-mountain, low-relief relief is associated. The low-mountain topography and rock lithology determine the area’s climate and forest growth. Thus, the geological and geomorphological diversity which is seen here and which is associated with the island’s low mountains and low hills is an important natural factor underlying the landscape diversity. The main objects of geodiversity are individual mountains and cliff rocks of unique and unusual formation, which are included in the national list of natural monuments. The lakes which are of tectonic origin and which are limited to the zones of ring faults are also unique. This made it possible to consider the leading and interrelated components of the natural environment: geological structure; relief; surface water; and soil and vegetation cover. Based on the research carried out, a number of recommendations have been developed which will assist in sustainable nature management with the priority of developing recreation and tourism.

Keywords: national park, geodiversity, tourism, ecosystems, rational nature management, biodiversity, North Kazakhstan

Akiyanova F, Atalikhova A, Jussupova Z, Simbatova A, Nazhbiev A (2019) Current state of ecosystems and their recreational use of the Burabai National Park (Northern Kazakhstan). Eurasia J Biosci 13: 1231-1243.

© 2019 Akiyanova et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.

INTRODUCTION included in the SPA system of national importance and has the status of an environmental and scientific One of the guiding principles of the International institution (Decree of the Government of the Republic of Union for Conservation of Nature in the management of Kazakhstan 2017). The main activities seen within the specially protected natural areas (SPAs) is the need to nature park are environmental, scientific, eco- conserve the landscape features of unique geological educational, recreational and related to tourism. and geomorphological objects. One of the territories of The nature park has within its borders a combination Kazakhstan that meets this description is the Burabai of various resources conducive to a healthy lifestyle: the State National Nature Park (hereinafter referred to as fresh air of the conifer forests; lakes with beaches which the “nature park”), which was created on August 12, can be used for water-related recreation in the summer; 2000. hot and sunny summers for open-air activities including The uniqueness of the nature park is associated with sunbathing; mountains which can be used by tourists the presence within the steppe zone of island relict and climbers; rugged terrain for active walking; snowy mountain-forest ecosystems in combination with many winters for skiing; mineral springs with medicinal waters fresh-water lakes and valuable biodiversity. The and therapeutic mud; and fresh groundwater with a geological and geomorphological diversity available complex mix of biologically active micro-components. here is associated with the island’s low mountains and The results of archaeological studies in the area low hills which determine the altitudinal zonality, which show Neolithic artifacts on the shores of the Borovoye is in turn an important natural factor underlying the diversity of the landscape and species. Received: February 2019 The nature park is located in North Kazakhstan, and Accepted: September 2019 its area is 129,500 hectares (Fig. 1). The nature park is Printed: September 2019

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Over the last 20-25 years, active use of the territory for tourist and recreational purposes, accompanied by an excessive anthropogenic pressure on the natural ecosystems, has been observed. The number of visitors is increasing by an average of 10-15% per year and as high as 25% in 2016-2017. This excludes visitors who did not use official accommodation services (Committee on Statistics). Active development of the tourism infrastructure is planned, with a view to increasing the throughput of tourists; and this will further increase the pressure on the ecosystems. In view of the above background, it appears to be a priority that the geodiversity of the nature park should be Fig. 1. The location and territory of the nature park. studied; and the ways in which its biodiversity depends a by Specially protected natural territories (https://ingeo.kz) on the geological and geomorphological structure of the b border of Burabai State National Nature park (compiled area should be identified. It was determined that the by Nazhbiev A. based on open view) conservation and careful use of the objects of geological and geomorphological diversity (geoconservation) is the basis for the conservation of the unique ecosystems of the Burabai nature park. Sustainable use of the objects of geodiversity can be achieved by regulating the recreational pressure on the natural systems of the nature park.

MATERIALS AND METHODS Research into the geological diversity of the nature park was based on the published data and maps covering the geology, tectonics and geomorphology of the area. (Abdulkabirova et al. 1988). To study the dependence of ecosystems on geodiversity, decoding was carried out of digital images Fig. 2. The central part of the nature park. Lake Borovoye and the Kokshetau low-mountain massif (photo by authors) taken from space by Ladsat 8, Sentinel in August 2018. Maps of vegetation and landscapes were used (https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/). freshwater lake. As for the period of recorded history, the In order to study the pressure on natural systems, an Borovoye State Forestry section of Russia’s State ecosystem approach was applied, which is a tool for the Property Department of the Akmola and Semipalatinsk integrated management of land, water and biological regions was established in the area in 1898 for the resources, and contributes to their conservation and conservation of the valuable islands of pine forests sustainable use. (Kosovich et al. 2018, Oveisi et al. 2018). The long-term An ecosystem is a dynamic complex of communities development of the recreational and health-improving of plants, animals and microorganisms, as well as potential of the territory of the nature park is evidenced nonliving environments, interacting as a single functional by the fact that the territory around the lakes of the whole (Ivashchenko et al. 2007, Hassen and Asmare Shchuchinsk-Borovoye group was recognized as a 2018). The ecosystem approach is based on E.I. resort of national importance in the former Soviet Union Rachkovskaya’s method. In accordance with the as early as 1920 (Fig. 2). methodology, natural (or conditionally natural) and At present, there are thirty settlements in the area of anthropogenically disturbed ecosystems have been the nature park, including the city of Shchuchinsk, the identified within the area; and divided into terrestrial and Borovoye resort community and rural settlements, as aquatic ecosystems. To distinguish the ecosystem well as sanatoriums, recreation centers, tourist camps categories of the nature park, a local-level classification and camping sites. The total population permanently was used: aquatic - lake and land - according to their residing in the area of the nature park was 72,650 people association with various types of relief (plains, as of January 1, 2018. The population density is almost mountainous areas, low mountains and sublacustrine eight times that of the average density of the Republic of shelf) (Ivaschenko et al. 2007, Farzadnia et al. 2017, Kazakhstan. Analysis of the dynamics of the indicator Kimasi et al. 2019). confirms the increase in population.

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Fig. 4. Okzhetpes mountain, a natural monument (photo by authors)

slopes of the valleys of the small rivers dissecting the low-mountain massif are gorge-shaped with a steepness of 30-60° and exposure of the bedrock. The width of the valleys is from 30-50 m to 200 m with narrow floodplains Fig. 3. Geomorphological map of the central part of the and terraced levels. nature park (compiled by Akiyanova F.) On the northern slope of the low-mountain area of Kokshetau, there are several trough-shaped valleys; The identification of ecosystems was carried out and the aerial and satellite images show differences in within an element of form of relief on the basis of the vegetation cover: the mountain slopes are covered by unity of the soil and plants. They access the same living pine forest; and the valleys by forests of mixed conditions within the biota. In accordance with this composition - coniferous and broad-leaved species of approach, the main physiognomic features of the trees. The only part of these valleys where there is no ecosystems of the nature park - the relief inclusive of the vegetation is that part, in the middle reaches, situated rock lithology; the surface water; the soil cover; and the near a river channel; and which is a random pile of vegetation - were studied and mapped. At the same boulders (up to 5-6 m in diameter) of flattened shape time, in order to assess the existing anthropogenic (due to a split in the cracks) from the underlying granites. impact, the most significant central part of the nature The width of the valleys is up to 300 m; the width of park was considered, including granite massifs with the “stone bed” in the middle reaches is up to 50 m; and island relict forests and a system of lakes as follows: in the lower reaches up to 10-15 m. There are cirque- Burabai, Shchuchye, Ulken Shabakty, Kishi Shabakty, like hollows up to 1 km wide in the watershed part of the Katarkol and Zhukei. massif. Geological structures and relief. The central part Gravitational processes develop more intensively in of the nature park is located within the Borovoye granite open spaces, mainly on the ridges and upper parts of massif, which is characterized by a concentric zonal the slopes, where the processes of weathering of structure. Linear weathering crusts of considerable granites lead to the formation of large sections of thickness, as well as the lake and river network of the exposed rocks. The cliffs which are created by these region, are confined to the ring and linear faults (i.e. processes and which have strange and unusual outlines weakened zones) (Abdulkabirova et al. 1988). are natural monuments (Fig. 4). The low-mountain denudation-tectonic massif of At absolute elevations from 350 to 800 m, thin Kokshetau, which is in the form of a 20 km semicircle fragments of the weathering crust are preserved, which stretching from the Shchuchinsk hills to the city of are represented by the lower landwaste-gravelly zone of Bolektau, is developed on fine- and medium-granular disintegration (Dolgopolov and Skopina 1985). The biotite-hornblende granites of the endocontact facies. It central part of the Borovoye granite massif is a rises abruptly over the adjacent hillocky area and plains peneplain, complicated by low concentrically located with an elevation of up to 600 m. The highest point of the hillocky forms of spurry-ridgy and spurry forms mountain massif is Mount Kokshe, which has an (Hosseinzadeh et al. 2019, Sarsekov et al. 2017). absolute elevation of 947 m. The relief of the low The large denudation of granites in the central part of mountain area is spurry-ridgy with narrow rocky the dome fold is associated both with remoteness from watersheds (Fig. 3). the tectonically active framing and with structural The leading processes of modern relief formation are features: the granites of the core form sub-horizontal linear erosion and sheet erosion. The autochthonous sheet-like deposits; and dikes which are mainly steeply

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Fig. 5. Types of bedding of granites in the ridged part of the Fig. 6. Beach zone on the south-west shoreline of Lake low-mountain massif of Kokshetau (photo by authors) Borovoye (photo by authors) dipping have developed among the granites of the outer steep shoreline on the upland slope. The current level of ring (Fig. 5). the water line of Lake Kishi Shabakty is 301.2 m The pediment plain in the central part of the dome absolute altitude; and the water line of Lake Ulken fold is flat, occupies large areas, and its gently- Shabakty is at 298.41 m absolute altitude. The number undulating and undulating differences border the low- of terrace levels with beach ridges totals four. Two low hilly massifs. In the band of the inner ring, with the terraces (with heights of 1.5 m and 3 m), are mostly of prevailing development of the flat subtype of peneplain, mixed composition (a pediment of bedrock overlaid with a peculiar type of relief - koitas – has been created due thin lacustrine sediments); and the high terraces (6-7 to the peculiarities of the physical weathering of granites and 11-12 m) are a pediment. Svarichevskaya Z.A. by desquamation. Sheet erosion, linear erosion and distinguishes two even higher levels (15 m and 25-30 m) slope processes create the contemporary appearance of here, which could be common to the lakes of the outer the peneplain, with hollows on gentle slopes, which are ring (Svarichevskaya 1965). On the southern shoreline filled with thin deluvial-proluvial sediments. In the most of the lakes, the width of the above-the-beach terraces hypsometrically low-lying closed depressions, water- is insignificant; and they are mostly mixed in structure logging processes have developed (Ovchinnikov 1960). (the pediment is covered with coarse-grained There are a large number of relict peat-bogs in the areas sediments), less commonly rock-defended. The width of between the Shchuchye and Borovoye lakes. the low terraces of the northern shoreline increases - From the northern and eastern sides, the Borovoye they are usually accumulative and composed mainly of ring-type structure is bordered by a zone of the fine-grained material. development of denudation and denudation-tectonic The lakes of the inner ring (Borovoye, Shchuchye hilly and hilly-spurry upland of all subtypes. These have and Katarkol) are located hypsometrically significantly low (25-50 m), medium (50-100 m) and high (100-200 higher than the lakes of the outer ring. The current level m) relative elevation. Within the outer ring, to the north of the water table of Lake Katarkol is 438.26 m absolute of the Ulken Shabakty and Kishi Shabakty lakes, the altitude; Lake Borovoye 320.42 m absolute altitude; and slopes of upland massifs gradually decrease and are Lake Shchuchye 389.11 m absolute altitude. Lake replaced by undulating denudation plains. Accumulative Borovoye has a clearly visible wide terrace 1.5 m high forms of relief in the study area occupy considerably and up to 150 m. In the northwestern, northern and smaller areas and are represented by deluvial-proluvial southeastern parts, the terrace is of a mixed structure; talus cones and lacustrine-alluvial plains, lake and river and throughout the rest part rock-defended. A beach terraces (Nurmambetov et al. 1987). The modern relief ridge 0.2-1.4 m high and up to 6 m wide, composed of is created by the processes of breaking of rocks and sand-gravel sediments, is developed in some areas on their redeposition by the processes of sheet and linear the terrace ledge (Fig. 6). erosion, deflation, suffusion, alluvial-proluvial, deluvial- The basin of Lake Shchuchye is asymmetrical with a proluvial and lacustrine accumulation. steep south-west shoreline. The width of the terraces on The lake basins of the Borovoye group of lakes are the high south-west bank is narrow, does not exceed 0.3 of tectonic origin. They are confined to the external (the km in total, and on the eastern shoreline expands to 0.7 Ulken Shabakty, Kishi Shabakty and Maibalyk lakes) km. and internal (the Shchuchye, Borovoye and Katarkol Two beach and three above-the-beach levels (the lakes) downthrown blocks of the ring-type structure. The fourth is presumed) can be seen almost everywhere. lake basins of the outer ring are asymmetrical with a The average heights of the terraces are 1-1.5 m; 2.5-3 m; 5-7 m; 10 m, respectively. Terraces are complicated

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Table 1. Main morphometric characteristics of lakes Water table area, Max. Lakes Level, m thous. sq.m depth, m Ulken Shabakty 18.3753 25.4 298.41 Kishi Shabakty 17.0982 10.38 301.2 Burabai 9.8901 5.98 320.42 Shchuchye 14.6727 23.1 389.11 Katarkol 4.3281 7.14 438.26 Zhukei 17.316 2.98 378.26

Tekekol 11.9 5.4 303

the Kokshetau mountains; and the small rivers and streams flowing into them. In general, the river network is poorly developed. The largest watercourses are the small rivers of the Sarybulak and the Imanayevskiy Klyuch (both flowing into Lake Burabai); the river Arykpai Fig. 7. The system of beach ridges on the north-west shoreline of Lake Kishi Shabakty (photo by authors) (flowing into Lake Ulken Shabakty); the Sarymsakty river (flowing into Lake Zhukei); temporary watercourses flowing into Lake Kishi Shabakty; and the Gromotukha river, which flows out of Lake Borovoye and into Lake Ulken Shabakty. The largest and deepest of the lakes is Lake Ulken Shabakty (Fig. 8). The main characteristics of the largest lakes in the nature park were determined by the interpretation of satellite images and the results of a 2018 bathymetric survey (Table 1). Melt-water constitutes up to 30% of the total runoff; rivers and temporary watercourses, 55%; and groundwater up to 15% (Manuscript of RSE “Kazhydromet” 2007). A rise in the level of lakes in the Fig. 8. Lake Ulken Shabakty – the largest and deepest lake in the nature park, with its rugged shorelines and islands area begins in the first half of April and lasts for up to one (photo by authors) month. The height of the rise in the water level varies from by a system of (up to 7-8) beach ridges, which are 0.2 to 2.0 m. During these periods, the rate of sandy, sandy-gravel-pebbled at the beach and low groundwater runoff increases. By the middle of the above-the-beach levels, rarely large boulders and round summer, the level of the lakes has decreased. The stones are observed. discharge part of the balance of most of the lakes is due Two beach and three above-the-beach levels (the to up to 60-70% evaporation from the water surface and fourth is presumably) can be seen almost everywhere. filtration losses. The average heights of the terraces are 1-1.5 m; 2.5-3 Depending on the degree of mineralization, the lakes m; 5-7 m; and 10 m, respectively. The terraces are can be divided into two groups: freshwater with 3 complicated by a system of seven or eight beach ridges, mineralization of up to 1000 mg/dm (Borovoye); and 3 which are composed of sand and, at the beach and just brackish with mineralization of up to 10 000 mg/dm above the beach, sand and gravel-pebbles. Large (Ulken Shabakty, Zhukei, Katarkol, Kishi Shabakty, boulders and round stones are seen somewhat rarely. Shchuchye and Tekekol). By chemical composition, all On the high terraces of all the lakes, the ridges are belong to the sodium class. An increase in the level of mostly sand and sand mixed with loam, usually fixed mineralization of the drainless lakes has been observed. with woody vegetation (Fig. 7). In the last 55 years, mineralization in Lake Katarkol has Sheet erosion, deflation and suffusion processes are increased by a factor of 2.5; and in the lakes of Ulken developed on the gentle slopes of the lake basins and Karoi and Kishi Shabakty by a factor of almost 2. on the surfaces of the lake terraces. Linear erosion Significant fluctuations in mineralization can be (ravines being washed out) and landslide-rockslide observed in Lake Zhukei. The increase in salt levels is processes prevail in the areas of the marked ledges of also due to the gradual desiccation of the lakes, which is terraces; and at the foot there can be observed the typical of the Ulken Shabakty, Kishi Shabakty, processes of deluvial-proluvial accumulation (İnci and Shchuchye, Katarkol and Zhukei lakes. Esmer 2018, Yapiyev et al. 2017). Almost all of the lakes are characterized by a The surface waters of the nature park consist of decrease in their level over recent decades, averaging numerous fresh and brackish lakes located at the foot of 14-17 cm a year. This decrease is caused by both

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Soils. Low-mountainous and hillocky relief contributes to vertical zonality and alters the soil and vegetation cover, in turn affecting the ecosystems. The forest-steppe landscape is characterized by the distribution of more northern types of vegetation and soil, with respect to this latitude. In this regard, the study area as a whole is confined to the forest-steppe altitudinal belt on common medium-humic chernozem. The eluvial-deluvial, deluvial-proluvial and lacustrine-alluvial sediments act here as soil-forming rocks. In terms of granulometric composition, they are predominantly loamy and clayey; often carbonate; and salinized with sodium and magnesium sulfates. Common, carbonate and solonetzic chernozem are predominantly spread in the soil cover (Fig. 9). Along with common chernozems, meadow- chernozem, solonetzic and solonchak soils are formed in the depressions of the relief and the terraces of rivers and lakes. Under pine forests, at altitudes above 500 m, Fig. 9. Soil map of the central part of the nature park (Atlas within the low-mountainous and hillocky relief, mountain- of Northern Kazakhstan 1980, modified) forest sod-podzolic soils are formed (Kalinina 1960, Patil and Gondhali 2017). natural and anthropogenic factors. The natural ones The soils on the forest floor on the watershed plains include increased temperature and increased and in the upper parts of gentle slopes are gray forest evaporation. The anthropogenic ones include: the soils; and in depressions they are replaced by alkalized construction of reservoirs on rivers and temporary and alkaline podzol soils. watercourses feeding the lakes; roads constructed In the inter-forest spaces, under the forbs-feather through lakes’ drainage basins without the provision of grass steppe communities, varieties of common proper drainage facilities; and increasing the amount of chernozems and chestnut soils are developed, and they water taken from lakes and rivers for utility needs are characterized by heavy-textured composition; (Nature Records 2017). increased solonetzicity and salinization; and low Over the past 35 years, the area of the lakes has permeability (Akiyanova and Vasilchenko 2015). Soils in decreased by 1712 thous. sq.m. Analyzing the dynamics open spaces are exposed to the effect of erosion of change in the level of lakes, it should be noted that processes. Most of the melkozems (fine grained soils) the area of Lake Ulken Shabakty has decreased by formed as a result of aeolation drift down along the 26.3%; that of Lake Kishi Shabakty by 20.1%; Lake slopes; and part of the melkozems accumulates in the Shchuchye by 19.9 %; and the area of Lake Zhukei by rock crevices. 10.7%. These processes have had a negative impact on The vegetation cover of the National Park is very the state of the aquatic and shoreline ecosystems; and diverse, something which is determined by the on the recreational potential of the nature park. characteristics of climate, the topography and the The lakes within the nature park have unique healing lithology of rocks and soils. According to the natural and balneological properties. Lake Maibalyk is a source zoning of the park, the park belongs to the mountainous of mineral bromine waters, bromine brines and island steppe pine forests located in the steppe zone therapeutic bromine sulfite silt mud. The Balpashsor (Ovchinnikov, 1960). The mountainous island steppe steppe lake contains a field of salt-saturated sulfide silt pine forests are developed along the low-mountain mud, which is used for treatment in most of the Kokshetau massif and the surrounding Kazakh Upland. sanatoriums in the park. A source of siliceous- The forests are an extrazonal phenomenon. manganese medicinal table mineral waters is located in Within the area of the nature park, there grow 13 the valley of the river Kylshakty, where the waters are types of forest (nine types of pine forest; three types of slightly saline with iodine content. It should be noted that birch forest; and one type of aspen forest); four types of there the waters of the Shchuchinsk basin contain vegetation typical of the steppe; two types of vegetation radon; and those of the Sinegorsk basin chloride-sulfate typical of the marsh; together with shrub and solonchak. sodium. The waters containing radon are within the land Pinus sylvestris covers a large wooded area in the belonging to the Zelyonyi Bor sanatorium region. It also forms mixed forests with Betula pendula, (http://parkburabay.kz.). Balneological resources B. Verrucosa and Populus tremula. Of the tree species, increase the attractiveness of the nature park as a 65% is made up of pine; 31% of Betula; 3% of populous therapeutic treatment and recreational center. tremula; 1% made up of shrubs; and less than 0.1%

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It has been established that pine forests grow in a wide range of absolute heights from 284 to 911 m, both within the low-mountain, low-slope and denudation plains, which occupy the central part of the Borovskoy granite massif. At the same time, the largest areas are occupied by pine forests in the low-slope part of the park, from 360 to 490 m (Fig. 11). Based on the analysis, it was found that hardwood grows at absolute altitudes from 284 to 660 m. At the same time, temporary birch forests dominated among all broadleaved species dominate among all forest fires. According to the aspect, the largest areas of pine forests are confined to the western and southwestern Fig. 10. Coniferous forests of the nature park (photo by slopes (Fig. 12). These are windward slopes that authors) receive more precipitation and solar heat. The smallest distribution of pine forests is typical for the northern and made up of other tree species (larix, salix babylonica, north-western slopes of mountains and low mountains. populous and malus). These four species are the A similar trend is characteristic of birch forests. dominant forest tree species in the region (Fig. 10). At the same time, birch forests with willow Among the pine forests in the research area, the undergrowth (Salix caprea, S. triandra) and shrubs following groups of forest types prevail: dry-type pine (Lonicera tatarica, Rosa) are confined to the valleys of forests (C2); and fresh and wet-type pine forests (C3). small rivers and streams. The saucer-like depressions of The use of digital elevation model data and forest the plains are occupied by spruce-birch forests, taxation schemes of the central part of the park made it sometimes along with aspen (Populus tremula). possible to study the dependence of vegetation type on Within the zone of the steppes, the slopes of the geodiversity. small hills are covered with grass-forbs and forbs and

Fig. 11. The distribution of the main forest-forming species depending on the absolute

Fig. 12. Features of the distribution of the areas (km2) of the main forest-forming species depending on the aspect

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Fig. 13. The woodpecker: an inhabitant of the nature park Kenesary Cave (photo by authors) (photo by authors) Fig. 14. grass-meadow meadow steppes; and petrophyte inhabit the territory of the nature park (Nature Records steppes are seen on the tops of the hills. On areas of 2017). Over the last century, six species of mammal and treeless plains, the dominant background of vegetation five species of birds from this number have completely is made up of combinations of grass-forbs, forbs-grass disappeared in the territory under study; 40% are on the and rich forbs-red feather grass steppes. borders of their ranges; and thirteen species of birds The flora of the territory includes 757 species of have stopped nesting. higher plants (Ivashchenko 2005), among which 10 Conservation and Sustainable Management of species are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Red the Nature Park Book 1981) (Cladonia rangiferina, Sphagnum teres, The Burabai State National Nature Park (hereinafter Cypripedium calceolus, C. macranthon, Alnus glutinosa, “the nature park”) was created in 2000; and its main Nymphaea candida, Adonis vernalis, Paeonia hybrida, activity is the conservation of natural systems of Drosera rotundifolia, Ledum palustre). There are 60 particular ecological, historical and aesthetic value. Due relict species - representatives of the boreal flora of the to the uniqueness of its natural ecosystems and northern taiga - in the make-up of the flora. They are favorable combination of natural and cultural found here on the southern border of their range. Most landscapes, the territory of the nature park is used for of them are rare species, which need protection. The scientific, educational, cultural and recreational rarest species are representatives of the families of ferns purposes. (Filicinae); orchids (Orchidaceae); pyrolas (Pyrolaceae); The core part of the unique objects within the and honeysuckles (Caprifoliaceae) (Sultangaziyeva et National Park are the numerous natural monuments, al., 2014). According to the degree of rarity in this natural among which one should highlight the Okzhetpes, zone and aesthetic value, unique ecosystems include: Zhumbaktas and Zhekebatyr mountains 1) pine forests with the participation of relict species of (http://ru.government.kz). The uniqueness of these boreal flora in the grass cover; 2) the rich forbs-red features as a whole arises from the horizontally-layered, feather grass steppes; 3) and heliums dominated by “mattress-like” forms of weathering of the Bohr series relict species of boreal flora (Sultangaziyeva et al. 2014, granites of the Middle Paleozoic. Within some rocks, due Rahman and Vaheed 2018, Hosseini Naghavi et al. to weathering, niches and caves are observed. An 2019). example is Kenesary Cave (Fig. 14), which is located on The biodiversity of the National Park is the west shoreline of Lake Burabai. It is confined to the characterized by the richness of the species that inhabit upper part of the southern steep slope of a rock with abs. the mountain-forest and steppe ecosystems. The 500 m mark. vertebrate fauna within the nature park includes 305 One of the important functions of the nature park is species belonging to 25 orders, among which there are the implementation of environmental measures: the 87 rare and endangered species (Ivashchenko 2006) conservation of geological, geomorphological, (Fig. 13). landscape and biological diversity and the protection of The territory of the nature park is inhabited by 104 natural monuments and the restoration of disturbed bird species (Berezovikov et al. 2000). 19 species of natural complexes. Scientific research is carried out animals are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan as within the area of the park, including the organization of extinct or possibly extinct. Out of this number, four bird stationary observation systems for studying natural species (the common crane; the golden eagle; the white- systems and objects of the nature reserve fund; the tailed eagle; and the great black-headed gull) and one monitoring of ecosystems; the development of scientific species of mammal (the common marten) currently bases and methods for the conservation of geo- and

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carried out; and a record of Nature Records is being compiled (Fig.15). Special attention should be paid to the zones of regulated tourist, recreational and limited economic use of natural systems, with the definition of norms for recreational pressures. Due to the fact that the territory of the nature park has unique sites of geology, tectonics and geomorphology, including rare forms of relief and associated landscapes atypical of the latitudinal zones of the steppe within which they are located, it is proposed that the possibility of nominating a part of the nature park as a geopark should be considered. At the request of the nature park, with the support of state bodies and the local population, work is underway to create a Burabai geopark as an element of the UNESCO global geoparks network in the Akmola region and the development of geotourism in Kazakhstan (http://parkburabay.kz). The planned geopark should comply with the principles of UNESCO (http://www.unesco.org), i.e. that a geopark should represent a single area, in which the management of sites of international geological significance is carried out on the basis of a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. The nature park has all the parameters necessary for this. One of the criteria for inclusion in the Fig. 15. Scientific research conducted in the nature park by global geoparks network is “Popularization of the staff of the scientific department. a transportation of a Attractions”. When the National Park is included in the boat to Lake Shchuchye for a bathymetric survey. b global geoparks network, it will attract a professional and research into forest ecosystems (photos by authors) multidisciplinary team (Justice 2018) that will gather the support of the general public in order to conserve this biodiversity; and the restoration of disturbed systems unique national park. within the area of the park. The nature park has a favorable geographical Scientifically-based protected areas with limited position, with good transport links to the major centers of environmental management are an important element of the country (in particular, the city of Astana, the capital the protection of natural systems of the park. Due to the of Kazakhstan; and the city of Kokshetau, the regional fact that the nature park is included in the system of center), including accessible railway connetions and specially protected natural areas within Kazakhstan, the high-quality access roads - all of which makes the nature concept of limitation has been introduced for the area park an affordable site for recreation and tourism. covered by the park. Depending on the protection Tourism and recreational use. The area of the regimes and the purposes of the use of nature-park National Park is a traditional place of recreation for the resources, a number of functional zones have been population of Kazakhstan and Russia (in particular the created which cover reservation conditions; Southern Ural and Western Siberia areas). In environmental stabilization; tourism and recreational connection with the transfer of the capital of Kazakhstan activities; and limited economic activities. to the city of Astana, the recreational pressure on the Within the zones of the reserve regime, which territory has increased dramatically. The maximum include the area of the low-mountain massif and natural number of visitors is recorded during the summer period. monuments, any economic activity and recreational use However an increase in all-year-round activity is being are prohibited; and the regime corresponding to the observed, with the popularity of winter recreation regime of reserves is in force. Scientific research aimed increasing. The number of visitors to the nature park in at monitoring valuable species, communities and 2017 amounted to 150,500 people, among whom ecosystems alongside identifying key sites is carried out residents of Kazakhstan make up 92%. The largest within the zones of the reservation conditions. At these number of visitors, 87%, go there as tourists; and 13% sites, system monitoring of the state of ecosystems and for business and professional reasons (Committee on the objects of the State Nature Reserve Fund, Statistics). conducted according to a single methodology, is being Currently, the flow of tourists and holidaymakers is served by 167 recreational centers and health-

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National Centre for Ski Sports is planned in the city of Shchuchinsk in order to increase the attractiveness of the park in winter. In order to develop ecological tourism in the nature park, 29 tourism and excursion routes have been developed and approved (Kosovich et al. 2018). Of these, 18 are for hikers; eight for cars; one for horse- drawn vehicles; one for bikes; and one on water (Fig. 17). Fig. 16. Hotel complexes and holiday homes located within Positive factors for the development of tourism and the nature park on Lake Borovoye (photo by authors) recreation in the area of the park are: a comfortable climate; and easy access to forests and lakes, which create a favorable microclimate in the park. The landscapes and ecosystems of the park are distinguished by their individuality and their high aesthetic attractiveness. The availability of hydro- mineral and mud resources ensures a high balneological value for the park. According to the Development Plan for the Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort area, it is planned to identify and prioritise the four main zones most favorable for investment. The first zone is for premium-class tourism. The second zone is aimed at mass recreation on the Ulken Shabakty and Kishi Shabakty lakes. It is planned to build a ski complex with a ski-run 2200 m

Fig. 17. Water tourism (photo by authors) long. There is a plan to create areas for camping. The improvement of the beach areas is also planned. The improvement facilities, including 45 health resorts and third zone is the already established center for social 122 sites providing accommodation for tourists (Fig.16). tourism. The fourth zone is aimed at the creation of an Between them, hotels, holiday homes, tourist ethno-village in the township of Sarybulak which will centers, guest houses and cottages have about 5,000 allow foreign tourists to experience the unique traditional beds available (Committee on Statistics). daily life of the Kazakh people. In order to conserve the unique ecosystems of the Anthropogenic impact: human activity, in particular, nature park and in order for the recreational potential of long periods of an uncontrolled influx of tourists, will lead the area to be sustainably managed, the Shchuchinsk- to the degradation of the natural ecosystems of the park. Borovoye resort area was created in 2005, and has a With that in mind, the main place for recreation is around total area of 159,900 hectares. The forests of the the shoreline of the lakes; and so the bodies of water are Borovoye mountain-forest massif are part of the subject to the greatest pressure. According to the data Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort area and are of invaluable of the RSE Kazhydromet, lakes Burabai, Sulukol, importance in recreational terms. Katarkol and Tekkol are classified as moderately The Development Plan for the Shchuchinsk- polluted; lakes Ulken Shabakty, Shchuchye, Kishi Borovoye resort area was prepared in order to: create a Shabakty, Karasye and Lebyazhye are classified as consistent image of the area which would be conveyed highly polluted; and Lake Maybalyk is classified as to visitors; create the socio-economic conditions for the extremely highly polluted. If we compare the water development of domestic and foreign tourism; improve quality of the lakes with 2016, there is today an the quality of services provided; and ensure the improvement in lakes Sulukol and Tekekol; a competitiveness of the area within local and foreign deterioration in Lake Karasye; and in lakes Burabai, markets. Ulken Shabakty, Shchuchye, Kishi Shabakty, Katarkol, The number of facilities within the infrastructure Maybalyk, Lebyazhye there has been no significant increases annually. In 2017, a tourist base was built on change (www.kazhydromet.kz/ru/bulleten/). the southern shoreline of Lake Katarkol; and the tourist The anthropogenic impact on objects of geodiversity route around Lake Borovoye was landscaped. is carried out at the expense of tourist and recreational Nazarbayev University is planning to build a research activities. The lack of control over tourist routes leads to and recreation complex on the eastern shoreline of Lake the unauthorized movement of tourists through the park, Shchuchye and a hotel complex on the northeastern which entails the destruction of geological objects. shoreline of Lake Ulken Shabakty. Construction of the Construction of tourist and road infrastructure is carried out in the most attractive and valuable areas of the park,

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EurAsian Journal of BioSciences 13: 1231-1243 (2019) Akiyanova et al. which also leads to the violation of the integrity of the compliance with environmental protection measures and objects. the sustainable management of geodiversity, will bring the nature park up to international levels, and contribute RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS to the development of geotourism and attract tourists The study of the natural systems and the with a different motivation for visiting. assessment and mapping of the main components of the Thus, the area of the park includes natural nature park has made it possible to develop a number of ecosystems which are unique within North Kazakhstan; recommendations necessary for its sustainable and the combination of mountain systems, fresh lakes, management in a situation where there is active pine forests, mineral springs and therapeutic mud recreational use and also climate change: shapes landscapes that are not typical of the steppe zone. This makes it possible to categorise the nature − There should be an assessment of the current park as a resort of great significance, the recreational state of the low mountain range and its slopes; individual potential of which is a valuable resource within the area. mountain peaks; and geological and geomorphological The work to protect and conserve the geodiversity; phenomena of interest, for scientific, educational and the creation of the Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort area in recreational purposes; the central part of the nature park; and the inclusion of − Work should be carried out to restore the part of the nature park within the UNESCO global disturbed shoreline and aquatic ecosystems of Lakes geoparks network will all contribute to the conservation Katarkol, Shchuchye and Borovoye; and sustainable management of the unique natural − Ecological paths should be constructed, taking monuments and the island’s mountain-forest into account the peculiarities of natural sites, in order to ecosystems. reduce the pressure from recreation; − The recreational facilities of the sports and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS recreation profile should be transferred to forest-steppe landscapes that are less stressful from an ecological This research was carried out as part of program № point of view (for example, the northern shoreline of Lake BR05236529: “A complex ecosystem assessment of the Ulken Shabakty; and the basins of Lakes Zhukei and Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort area through an Balpashsor; evaluation of the environmental pressure for the − Recreational monitoring of the state of the purposes of the sustainable use of recreational natural systems should be monitored in order to potential” (2018-2020) on the order of the Committee for establish the maximum permissible level of impact and Science, State Institution of the Ministry of Education to control the flow of holidaymakers and tourists; and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. − Since the main pressure of visitor numbers is We express our gratitude to the management and during the summer period, winter recreational activities staff of the Burabai State National Nature Park in should be developed within the park; providing information gathered in the “Nature Records” − The inclusion of the nature park in the UNESCO (manuscripts). global geoparks network will strengthen the control over

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