Efficiency of using the rangeland hydrology and erosion model for assessing the degradation of pastures and forage lands in Aydarly, Kazakhstan

Abstract

This study examined the use of a novel web-tool for Rangeland Hydrology and ErosionModel (RHEM) as a prediction runoff and erosion as a function of vegetation structure andbehavior of different plant community phases and the amount of coverage for the differentstates in the Aydarly village of Jambul district of Almaty province. US Department ofAgriculture experts and Kazakhstani scientists jointly conducted this study, where, based onthe results, they received recommendations on improving rangeland. Results suggested thatthe model could be further improved with additional measured experimental data oninfiltration, runoff, and soil erosion within key ecological sites in order to better quantifymodel parameters to reflect ecosystem changes and risk of crossing interdependent bioticand abiotic thresholds. These additions were further improved and implemented in otherregions of Kazakhstan on other projects