Abstract:
The article presents the results of an analysis of natural forest regeneration after a
wildfire in the Amankaragay Forest Massif, Kostanay Region, Republic of Kazakhstan,
during the post-fire period. The forest landscapes of the Kostanay Region are subject
to pyrogenic impacts of both natural and anthropogenic origin, leading to changes in
the phytocenosis of ecosystems. The study integrates field research findings with remote sensing data and methods (dNBR, NBR, NDVI) to assess post-fire conditions and
forest regeneration in the Kostanay Region through the comparison of three sample
plots. Changes in summer dNBR values indicate the severity of the fire, while annual
and seasonal variations in NDVI values, particularly during the summer, reflect the intensity and level of post-fire forest recovery. The analysis of natural forest regeneration
after the wildfire in the Amankaragay Forest Massif was conducted using field research
methods, ArcGIS 10.8 software, and spectral index analysis of multi-temporal high- and
medium-resolution satellite imagery. Based on the research objectives and the specific
characteristics of the study area, necessary calculations and analyses were conducted
for each sample plot. As a result, the natural regeneration of forest landscapes was assessed, and relevant findings were obtained. Fire intensity and type determine the rate
of forest recovery. dNBR and NDVI indices confirm the effectiveness of remote sensing
for monitoring post-fire forest recovery. Remote sensing data and field assessments
enable not only the evaluation of current forest conditions but also predictions of future development. The changes in the structure of dominant tree species in the Amankaragay massif, detected through satellite monitoring after exposure to the pyrogenic
factor, were verified using field research methods.
