Abstract
Land degradation and desertification are major environmental challenges in the arid Caspian region (Pri-Caspian) of Kazakhstan. This study assesses desertification susceptibility in the Mangystau region using an integrated GIS and remote sensing approach. Four controlling factors were analyzed: distance to active tectonic faults, terrain slope, vegetation cover derived from the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and soil moisture conditions represented by the Water Requirement Index (WRI). Euclidean distance analysis was used to evaluate tectonic influence, slope gradients were derived from SRTM data, and NDVI and WRI were calculated from Landsat 8 OLI imagery. All factors were reclassified into standardized ordinal classes and integrated using a weighted sum multi-criteria evaluation model to generate a composite desertification susceptibility map. The results indicate strong spatial heterogeneity in degradation conditions. Areas near tectonic faults with steeper slopes, low NDVI, and low WRI values show the highest susceptibility to desertification, while regions with gentle slopes, higher vegetation cover, and better soil moisture exhibit greater environmental stability. The study demonstrates that land degradation in Mangystau is controlled by the combined effects of geological, geomorphological, and ecological factors. The proposed integrated framework provides a reliable tool for desertification assessment and supports sustainable land management in arid and semi-arid environments.