Implications of population size, structure, and soil parameters for the conservation of Allochrusa gypsophiloides in Kazakhstan

ASEM TASTANBEKOVA (Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Al-Farabi Ave 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan)
KANAT KULYMBET (Department of Soil Ecology, U.U. Uspanov Kazakh Research Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry. Al-Farabi Ave 75B, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan)
MERUYERT KURMANBAYEVA (Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Al-Farabi Ave 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan)
MARIA HÖHN (Department of Botany, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Pater Karoly Str. 1, Godollo 2100, Hungary)
MOLDIR ZHUMAGUL (Astana International University. Kabanbay Batyr 8, Astana 020000, Kazakhstan)
OZODBEK ABDURAIMOV (Institute of Botany, Academy Sciences Republic of Uzbekistan. Durmon yuli Str. 32, Tashkent 100047, Uzbekistan)
GANI I. ISSAYEV (Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University. Bekzat Sattarhanov Str. 29, Turkestan 161200, Kazakhstan)
ORYNBASSAR ALSHYNBAYEV (Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan Research University. Tauke khan Ave 5, Shymkent 160012, Kazakhstan)
MURAT TOKTAR (Department of Soil Ecology, U.U. Uspanov Kazakh Research Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry. Al-Farabi Ave 75B, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan)
ZHASSULAN SMANOV (Space Technologies and Remote Sensing Center, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Al-Farabi Ave 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan)

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Vol. 26 No. 5 (2025)

Abstract. Tastanbekova A, Kulymbet K, Kurmanbayeva M, Höhn M, Zhumagul M, Abduraimov O, Issayev GI, Alshynbayev O, Toktar M, Smanov Z. 2025. Implications of population size, structure, and soil parameters for the conservation of Allochrusa gypsophiloides in Kazakhstan. Biodiversitas 26: 2051-2064. The study examines the distribution, population size, and ecological conditions of Allochrusa gypsophiloides in the Karatau Mountain Range, Kazakhstan. This rare species, listed in the Red Data Book, was found in four populations (P1-P4): Sayasu Gorge (P1), Kuyuk Pass (P2), and The Vicinity of Birlik (P3) and Kenestobe Villages (P4). Geobotanical research assessed species composition, plant communities, and ontogenetic structure using Uranov’s classification. Soil properties, including humus content, nutrient levels, and pH, were analyzed. The total number of A. gypsophiloides individuals across all sites was 91, with low population densities (0.15-0.29 individuals/m²). Age structure analysis revealed no senile individuals, with generative individuals predominating in two populations. Generative (g1) individuals accounted for 20.0% in P1 and 18.52%, 24.14%, and 33.34% in P2-P4, respectively. Post-generative (sub-senile) individuals were rare (0-13.34%). Despite a relatively stable age composition, low population density remains a concern. Soils across populations shared similar characteristics: low humus and nutrient content, moderately to strongly alkaline pH, and sandy loam to medium loam textures. The species' restricted distribution, low density, and specific soil requirements make it highly vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities. Conservation efforts of A. gypsophiloides should be aimed at protecting key habitats (Sayasu Gorge, Kuyuk Pass, and The Vicinity of Birlik and Kenestobe) with limited economic activity, introducing a system for long-term monitoring of the number and age structure of populations using standardized techniques, as well as assessing opportunities for reintroduction of the species to suitable sites. Further research on reproductive biology and ecological interactions is essential for ensuring the species' long-term survival in the Syrdarya Karatau Mountain Range.