Abstract
This study evaluates the impact of flood events on the structure and dynamics of vegetation cover in Western Kazakhstan. The empirical basis of the research is founded on comprehensive field surveys conducted in 2024, covering key floodplain biogeocenoses within the Zhaiyk (Ural) River basin. The methodological framework integrates complex geobotanical profiling with edaphic analysis, including assessments of projective cover, species richness, and soil sample analysis. Despite the overall extremity of the hydrological event, the response of various plant communities was heterogeneous. In areas with short-term inundation, the flood acted as a rejuvenation factor for meadows; the deposition of fertile alluvium combined with optimal moisture levels significantly stimulated vegetation growth. It was established that short-term flooding (up to 7 days) has a stimulating effect on meadow herbs, increasing biomass by 25–40%. Conversely, prolonged water stagnation in low-lying areas induced hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, extended exposure to flooding triggered irreversible processes in the root systems of mesophytic species, resulting in a 30–35% reduction in species richness and the partial decline of the tree-shrub layer.