In August 2023, the staff of Space technologies and remote sensing center and the teaching staff of the Departments of Cartography and Geoinformatics and Geography, Land Management and Cadastre of Al-Farabi KazNU conducted field expeditions in the Western region (Aktobe, West Kazakhstan, Atyrau regions) in the direction of «Preservation of Terrestrial Ecosystems» of the project «Sustainable Development Goals»

Founding of the expedition: Implementation of research under the AP14871372 program “Geospatial approach to risk assessments of climate-induced disasters (droughts and erosion) and impacts on agriculture in Western Kazakhstan”.

The purpose of the expedition: conducting field work on the physical and geographical description of the research area, describing soil pits with sampling, conducting aerial video and photography using a drone, visual analysis of the territory for comparison with remote sensing data. Conducting surveys with local residents, specialists in order to confirm instrumental observations of weather phenomena, and the theory of the development of natural complexes.

From August 16 to August 31, 2023, according to the SRW calendar plan, an expedition trips to the Western region of Kazakhstan (Aktobe, West Kazakhstan, Atyrau and Mangystau regions) was conducted. Primary field processing of materials and basing of members of the expedition team were carried out in hotels along the route. During the field period, work was carried out on all planned reference points. According to the instructions at the observation points, a physical and geographical description, a description of vegetation, the definition of a protective cover, soil pits, and the selection of soil samples were carried out. When describing the NTC, a drone was used. In total, a physical and geographical description of 15 reference points was carried out.

Field material was collected: soil samples, video and photographic materials from reference points.