Factors and prerequisites for the formation of transboundary specially protected natural areas in the Russian‐Kazakhstan region

Abstract

   Aim. To conduct a geographical analysis of the network of specially protected natural areas in the Russian‐Kazakhstan transboundary region and identify promising areas of international cooperation in the field of protection and conservation of natural geosystems.   Material and Methods. The study was built on the basis of statistical processing of state statistics of Russia and Kazakhstan and on geoinformation analysis of open data on population and materials obtained from official geoinformation portals containing information on specially protected natural areas of both countries.   Results. The authors have established and mapped border protected natural areas of federal/republican significance in the Russian‐Kazakhstan region. By means of GIS technologies, "zones of influence" of key nature protection areas were determined by constructing centroids of protected areas and Thyssen/Varzar polygons. Population levels of the territories within the obtained zones was calculated. Promising transboundary specially protected territories have been identified. Mechanisms for drawing attention to the problems of nature protection are proposed.   Conclusions. The results of the analysis of the parameters of the population of the territory near the most significant protected areas in the border zone of Russia and Kazakhstan are of practical importance in the integration of specially protected natural areas into the socio‐economic development of the regions using the experience and traditions of the local population and taking into account their interests.