The Impact of Climate Change on the Water Systems of the Yesil River Basin in Northern Kazakhstan

Abstract

[EN] The geographical location of Kazakhstan, situated in the central part of the Eurasian continent, has played a crucial role in shaping a distinctly continental climate. This positioning has led to Kazakhstan facing a signi¿cant challenge in terms of water resource availability. The country¿s water resources are highly vulnerable to the dual pressures of climate change and human activities. It is noteworthy that the Yesil River basin is the sole region within Kazakhstan¿s borders where water resources are predominantly generated, while all other river basins experience substantial out¿ows beyond the nation¿s boundaries. This research undertaking involves a comprehensive analysis of long-term climatic data collected from meteorological stations located within the con¿nes of the Yesil basin in Northern Kazakhstan. Additionally, the study encompasses the computation of water consumption and annual runoff within this region. Historical meteorological observations spanning from 1961 to 2020 reveal notable trends. Most signi¿cantly, a 1.2 ¿ C increase in temperature is observed during the spring season. Winters have also become relatively milder and warmer, particularly towards the end of February, where temperatures have shifted from ¿16.2 ¿ C in the ¿rst 30-year period to ¿14.6 ¿ C in the second period. These ¿ndings underscore the ongoing climatic changes within the region, with signi¿cant implications for the management and sustainability of water resources in Kazakhstan.