Abstract
This study assessed mountain tugai poplar forests in southern and southeastern Kazakhstan by conducting forest inventory analysis and field surveys in Zhongar Alatau, Northern Tien Shan, and Western Tien Shan. The forest inventory identified 1,622.5 hectares of poplar forests, mainly consisting of mature and overmature stands with low density and productivity. Only 47% of these forests were located within protected areas. The primary species, Populus macrocarpa (Schrenk) Pavlov (also known as P. talassica Kom.), was confirmed through molecular genetic analysis using ITS, matK, and rbcL markers. Natural regeneration mainly occured vegetatively, with limited seed reproduction. Recreational activities had a significant impact on stand condition, reducing the proportion of viable trees from 70–85% in protected areas to 50–55% in heavily visited sites. B-INTACT modeling predicted substantial ecosystem degradation with increased recreational infrastructure. Conservation efforts should focus on expanding protected area coverage, controlling invasive species, and implementing systematic long-term monitoring to address these challenges.