Natural restoration of forests after a fire in the Amankaragay Forest Massif of the Kostanay Region, Republic of Kazakhstan

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.