Borankulova D.M, Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Senior Lecturer

Amanbayeva M.A, 2^nd year student, MA (Geography)

Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Wonderful region of the gorge Kaskasu

Given article deals with the features of the nature of Kaskasu gorge, as well as its current status and development.

Keywords: landscape, gorge, endemic plants, flora, fauna.

Kaskasu gorge is one of the most beautiful places located in Tolebi district of South Kazakhstan region and 1900 meters above sea level. Kaskasu gorge unites eight snow-covered slopes and friendly ski resort. Several projects capable of improving the tourism industry of the south to a new level will be implemented in Southern Kazakhstan in the coming years. One of them is the construction of the "Kaskasu" ski resort. It will be constructed in the same ravine, 65 kilometers away from Shymkent and will be the largest ski resort in Kazakhstan. According to the available resources, Kaskasu accommodates five potential Chimbulak ski resorts. Easy orientation, open areas, a small slope of the terrain, located on the border zones of vegetation, proximity to ski roads are favorable conditions for the construction of tourist facilities. Here, up to 25 thousand skiers can ride at the same time. Kaskasu gorge attracts visitors with its rugged mountains, spectacular scenery and unique landscapes which are known not only by thousands of Kazakhs, but also by tourists from around the world who come here to enjoy the beautiful nature and views of the mountains, breathe the mountain air, listen to the chirping of rare birds and, of course, rest[1].

Kaskasu gorge is a combination of beautiful landscapes, dense juniper forests, endemic vegetation, and cave. Susingen Lake is located at an altitude of 1907 meters. The dimension of the water surface of the lake varies greatly. The maximum dimension of the lake is about one kilometer long and 500 meters wide. But every year, in the summer, the lake suddenly disappears, becoming just a mountain stream, and then reappears. The lake is inhabited with fish like trout[2].

The unique flora and fauna Kaskasu is diverse. Endemics and ephemera are ubiquitous here. The diversity of flora and fauna is particularly evident in the mountains, where the vertical zonation of vegetation types of the landscape causes the distribution of wildlife. But to meet the large animals in Kaskasu is not so easy. And this is due not only to human activities, deeper penetration into the mountains, although this factor is undeniable. But also, this is due to natural conditions. The climate here is not as prone to large populations. Dry summer contrasts with wet winters. In the top tier of the mountains in the winter temperature can reach considerable temperatures. Vegetation, unlike the mountains of the Caucasus, is not so plentiful and massive, although some instances of woody formations may be significant (juniper, sycamore, walnut, poplar). Significant impact on the distribution of flora and fauna in Kaskasu is made by altitudinal zones and zoning. Here you can clearly distinguish three mountain belt: adyrs - foothills and hills, tau - medium and zhailau - highlands. And each of these high-altitude zones are characterized by its composition of flora and fauna. Although many of the species may be present in several zones, and some of the animals depending on the season also migrate to these zones[3].

On the territory of the Kaskasu gorge found 59 species of mammals, including endemic Western Tien Shan marmots, 300 bird species and 1635 plant species, of which 240 are in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. Among herbaceous ephemeral and endemic plants there are plants such as saffron, leontitsa, crocus, corydalis, iris, eremurus, astragalus, tulips. Among the medicinal herbs there are St. John's wort, marjoram, thyme, elecampane, wormwood, nettle, licorice, horsetail, lemon balm, yarrow, tansy, immortelle and many others. Bushland of Western Tien Shan represented by such species as: rose, barberry, pistachio, blackberry, Turkestan rowan, cherry, currant, blackberry and others. Among the woody vegetation there are extensive juniper forests, walnut, birch groves, poplar, willow, maple, sycamore, plum, apple, pear, hawthorn, ash and many others. It is worth to emphasize the role of juniper which forms an independent floral belt[4].

Juniper (Juniperus - mountain juniper) varies in shape: direct and whimsically curved, spherical and pyramidal, creeping and curly shapes and silhouettes. To the upper limit of its distribution becomes small juniper and creeping shrub of a few tens of centimeters. Juniper grows very slowly, and the annual growth rate is not more than a centimeter. Role of juniper forests in high mountain ecosystems: preservation of the desired mode of melting snow, disinfection of air through the essential oil substances. Juniper forests provide shelter to many species of wildlife including bears, wild boar, roe deer; and the feathered inhabitants of the kingdom - mountain partridges, pigeons, grosbeak juniper, titmouse juniper, common Remez, mining Warbler, Black-chanter. National Park (Sairam-Ugam State National Natural Park, which includes the Kaskasu Gorge) juniper woodlands consist of three species of juniper: Zeravshanica, hemispherical and Turkestan. There are also dense serried juniper forests in river valleys Sayramsu and Saryaygyr. Turkestan juniper is a true survivor. Often trees are thousands of years and is still quite healthy. At the upper border of the juniper sometimes live up to four thousand years. Juniper aged 500-600 years is a common phenomenon[5].

The study of flora of Karzhantauskiy ridge system of Western Tien Shan began 100 years ago, that is, for the purpose of large geographical expeditions to Central Asia.

In the second half of XIX century, in different parts of the region, many scholars such as geographer A.V. Schwarz, geologists I.V. Muskets and D.L. Ivanov, A.E. Regel, G. Kapyu, S.R. Korzhinskiy, D.I. Litvinov and others conducted their research.

In 1926, the forest reserve on the western part of the Talas Alatau was renamed Aksu Dzhabagly Reserve. This reserve was the scientific base for many botanists researchers. And, in 1939, the botanist V.U. Makarchuk investigated alpine area of Karzhantau ridge.

In 1949, N.V. Pavlov began his research in the Western Tien Shan participating in the expedition of the Institute of Botany of the Kazakh SSR. In 1953-1954, he studied mountain ridge area of Karzhantau. From this we can conclude that the Kaskasu gorge was a object for study from early times[6].

In conclusion we can say that the Kaskasu gorge in Karzhantau mountains ridge is part of the few areas studied. Kaskasu gorge has peculiar geographical position, geomorphological and geological structure, diverse flora and beautiful nature. The current development of the ecological and cultural tourism in this area leads to different negative circumstances such as changes in the conditions of existence of birds and animals in habitats or changes associated with the cycle of development. In order to preserve the pristine natural beauty of the Kaskasu gorge there is a need for state-supported geographical, hydrological and geo-ecological and biological researches, and the use of new techniques and technologies which thoroughly examine and solve the problems associated with anthropogenic load and changes of this area.

References:

1. N.K. Aralbayev, G.M. Kudabayev, "State inventory of plants in South Kazakhstan region" Book One. Synopsis of species of vascular plants - Almaty, 2002 - 314 p.

2. J. Shіldebayev, R. Satіmbekov, E. Kelemseyіt, Қaзaқстанда ерекше қoрғалатын табиғи аймақтар және биоалуантүрлілік. - "Nur-Print" Almaty 2012. 152 p.

3. T.A. Adylov The genus Artemisia 17 / Opr.rast. Sr.Azii. T. 10. Tashkent: S. 536-588.

4. V.V .Alekhina, Geography plants. M.: Sov.kniga. 1938. 104 p.

5. B.P. Alisov, Climate of the USSR. Moscow, Publishing House, Moscow, 1956.-127 p.

6. M.S. Baitenov, Alpine flora of the northern Tien Shan. - Alma-Ata: Nauka, 1985.207p.

7. I.O. Baitulin, Plant resources of Kazakhstan and the prospects for their rational use // Problems of rational use of medicines and technical plants in Kazakhstan. Alma-Ata: Nauka. 1986. P.5-12.

SUMMARY

В статье рассмотрены особенности природы ущелья Каскасу, а также его сегодняшнее состояние и дальнейшего развития.

This article describes the features of the nature of the gorge Kaskasu, as well as its current status and future development.