West Kazakh Steppe
Planning the restoration of a globally important grassland ecosystem.
This planning grant has developed science-based and community-informed strategies to guide long-term, climate-resilient restoration of the West Kazakh Steppe. One of the largest temperate grassland regions in the world, it forms a vital corridor for migratory species and supports a wide range of steppe-adapted wildlife. The landscape also has deep cultural significance as the ancestral home of nomadic Kazakh herders.
West Kazakhstan
RSPB
Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK)
October 2023 – September 2025
US$ 99,656
c. 5 million ha
Steppe grasslands, salt lakes, semi-desert, wetlands
Saiga antelope, steppe eagle, ground squirrel, vipers
Why This Landscape Matters
The West Kazakh Steppe landscape is home to the largest populations of saiga antelope.
This vast and open landscape supports the world’s largest population of the critically endangered saiga antelope, alongside diverse bird and reptile species. Its seasonal wetlands and salt lakes offer refuge for migratory birds, while its grasslands are a lifeline for rural pastoralist communities.
Yet this globally significant ecosystem is under pressure. Historic land conversion during the Soviet period, together with overgrazing, desertification, and increasingly frequent droughts, has led to widespread habitat degradation. Areas around villages are particularly affected, placing both biodiversity and livelihoods at risk.
What the Project Did
This planning grant supported the development of long-term, climate-resilient restoration plans for the West Kazakh Steppe. Activities were designed to build a strong evidence base and create space for community voices in shaping the landscape’s future. Key actions included:
Satellite-based land cover mapping (1989–2020) to assess trends in degradation and natural regeneration.
Ecological and hydrological analysis, incorporating soil, biomass, and elevation data.
Participatory research with communities, including interviews and mapping workshops with herders, elders, teachers, and artisans.
Identification of priority areas for future restoration and conservation.
Field surveys in 2025 built on this work, validating remote sensing data and deepening understanding of local conditions.
Looking Ahead
The West Kazakh Steppe forms a vital corridor for migratory species and supports a wide range of steppe-adapted wildlife like the little ground squirrel.
The project is already generating momentum. Preliminary maps have been produced, local relationships are being built, and participatory processes are underway. By combining ecological science with lived experience, the project will deliver place-based restoration plans grounded in local realities.
This work lays the foundation for future implementation and investment — helping to reconnect fragmented habitats, support climate resilience, and sustain pastoral livelihoods in one of Eurasia’s most iconic landscapes.
Resilient Rangelands
Read the report produced by the West Kazakh Steppe project.
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