Balancing trade-offs between agriculture and biodiversity in the steppes of Kazakhstan (BALTRAK)

Basic data for this project

Description

Grassland ecosystems harbour unique biodiversity, but agriculture has led to their widespread degradation and conversion, especially in the temperate zone. However, opportunities for restoration and for reconciling agricultural production and conservation goals are emerging in some temperate grasslands. This is especially so on the steppes of Kazakhstan, where the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 triggered the widespread abandonment of cropping and grazing systems. Abandoned lands constitute considerable untapped agricultural potential, which is likely to be exploited in the near future, yet would also allow for restoring steppe ecosystems. Balancing the potentially conflicting goals of conservation and agricultural production is currently hampered by a poor understanding of (1) the spatial patterns of post-Soviet land-use change, (2) the complex interactions of cropland abandonment, grazing, fire regimes and biodiversity, and (3) various potential future trajectories in land use. In BALTRAK, we aim to quantify spatio-temporal trends in land use and fire in Kazakhstan, to understand the links between land use, fire, and biodiversity, and to explore potentials for increasing agricultural production. We will use our results to assess current and future trade-offs between steppe restoration and agricultural production. Together, this will provide guidance for implementing place-based rural development strategies that lessen the emerging land-use conflict between conservation and agriculture in Kazakhstan's steppe region. Our interdisciplinary approach will rely on remote sensing, field- based biodiversity research, and econometric modelling. We will integrate major stakeholders in agriculture and the conservation sector to ensure the relevance and implementation of our results. A strong focus will be placed on capacity building among Kazakhstani stakeholders and scientists, and on academic exchange with young Kazakhstani scholars.