Abstract
Monitoring pasture vegetation indicators is critical as decreased productivity could jeopardize the stability of pasture lands.This study aimed to evaluate the status of vegetation cover across pastures utilized in diverse manners within the semi-desert zone of Western Kazakhstan.Specifically, the impacts of rotational, seasonal, and intensive grazing on the functionality, diversity, and productive potential of pasture vegetation were investigated.Systematic vegetation observations, including species diversity examination, projective coverage estimation, height measurements, and yield determination, were conducted in transects established across pastures with varying grazing methods at the Miras farm in Western Kazakhstan.The findings reveal that unregulated intensive grazing significantly altered vegetation indicators, suggesting potential degradation processes.Intensive grazing proved particularly detrimental, resulting in decreased species richness, projective coverage, height, and a lower productive vegetative mass.In contrast, rotational and seasonal grazing methods appeared more effective in Western Kazakhstan.Pastures where regulated grazing was practiced exhibited higher species richness and biometric and production indicators compared to those with unsystematic grazing.Understanding the alterations in biometric and productive vegetation indicators relative to grazing practices is crucial for quality assessment of pastures and determining appropriate pasture management.The absence of adequate and efficient grazing could trigger irreversible deterioration in pasture vegetation conditions.Therefore, to safeguard the biological resources and biodiversity of the region's pastures, it is strongly advocated to employ regulated grazing and entirely eliminate excessive intensive grazing.This approach will help maintain a healthy balance in the pasture ecosystem and promote sustainable farming practices.