Examining the environmental vulnerability of the floodplain geosystem in the Syr Darya River’s lower reaches

Abstract

The Syr Darya River’s lower reaches of floodplain geosystems face growing environmental pressures, necessitating a thorough understanding of their vulnerability on which this study focuses, emphasising the role of natural and climatic factors. The research analyses the correlations and impacts of elevation, soil density, precipitation, air temperature, and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) on environmental vulnerability. The results indicate a strong positive correlation between elevation, precipitation, air temperature, and environmental vulnerability, with NDVI also playing a significant role. The study employs principal components analysis to further explore these relationships and generates an integrated vulnerability map, highlighting vulnerable areas, particularly near Kyzylorda city. The map also aligns with different land cover types, emphasising the dominant influence of environmental and climatic factors, especially maximum air temperature, precipitation, and elevation, on environmental vulnerability. The research concludes that the integrated vulnerability map serves as a valuable tool for guiding environmental management and conservation strategies, enabling targeted interventions and sustainable practices in areas of high vulnerability. The study’s methodology and findings offer crucial insights for effective environmental management and conservation in floodplain geosystems, promoting informed decision-making for sustainable development in the region.