Soil properties drive population abundance of the rare, endemic Euphorbia yaroslavii in the Zailiyskiy Alatau, Kazakhstan
Тurgara Z. Ametov A. Kulymbet K. Childibayeva A. Nazarbekova S. Ryskali T. Erezhetova U. Tastanbekova A.
November 2025Society for Indonesian Biodiversity
Biodiversitas
2025#26Issue 115881 - 5890 pp.
This study investigates the ecological and soil-chemical factors influencing the population abundance of the rare herbaceous perennial geophyte Euphorbia yaroslavii in the Zailiyskiy Alatau Mountains, Southeastern Kazakhstan. Field surveys were conducted across three gorges-Ushkonyr, Shamalgan, and Kaskelen-comprising nine cenopopulations. A total of 337 individuals were recorded, with the highest abundance observed in Ushkonyr (188 individuals) and the lowest in Kaskelen (56 individuals). Soil texture, structure, and chemistry were analyzed in detail, including granulometry, humus content, pH, CO2, available N, P2O5, K2O, exchangeable cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+), and total soluble salts. Pearson correlation analysis revealed very strong positive correlations between population abundance and sand (r = +0.95), clay (r = +0.87), humus (r = +0.80), mobile nitrogen (r = +0.93), and with exchangeable magnesium among key base cations (r = +0.92). A strong negative correlation was found with silt content (r =-0.88), indicating that excess silt may limit aeration. Correlations were computed at the cenopopulation level (n = 9), pairing abundance with co-located soil measurements from the 0-20 cm layer. The most favorable soil conditions for E. yaroslavii are loamy calcareous soils with 40-50% sand, 20-30% clay, slightly alkaline pH (7.4-7.9), humus ≥ 2.5%, and high base saturation with dominance of Ca2+ and Mg2+. These findings suggest that population abundance is primarily determined by soil texture and organic matter, with magnesium acting as an important component of an overall balanced base-cation regime. Sites meeting these criteria should be prioritized for in situ conservation and habitat restoration, with recommended practices including organic amendment and liming to improve soil fertility and structure.
Edaphic factors , Euphorbia yaroslavii , loamy soils , population ecology , salinity gradient
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Ave 71, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Department of Soil Ecology, U.U. Uspanov Kazakh Research Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Al-Farabi Ave 75B, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Kazakh National Womens Teacher Training University, Gogol St 114/8, Almaty, 050000, Kazakhstan
Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources
Department of Soil Ecology
Kazakh National Womens Teacher Training University
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026