Forest and steppe communities of Kazakh Uplands: vegetation plot dataset

Kazakhstan is usually associated with steppes; only 5% of the territory is covered by forests. The forest areas are small and located in the Altai and Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, as well as the northern border of the country. Forest "oases" are also present in Central Kazakhstan. These are unique and almost unexplored relict forest sites, historically linked to the boreal forests of Altai and Siberia. These forests are relatively small and placed in isolated areas of the Kazakh Upland mountain ranges, surrounded by vast steppe landscapes. Until now, vegetation data from Central Kazakhstan (especially forest habitats) are still limited in digital repositories. Therefore, the aim of this work was to summarise, standardise and publish the vegetation relevés collected in Central Kazakhstan.

The presented dataset is the first open-access relevé collection that contributes to the knowledge of the current vegetation of the Kazakh Uplands, Central Kazakhstan. It provides 117 vegetation plots (3473 associated occurrences) sampled in 2014 and 2022-2025. The data cover two IUCN nature-protected areas (Karkaraly and Buiratau State National Natural Parks), Ulytau State National Natural Park and the Ortau and Bektauata Mountains, as well as ecologically valuable nature areas without protected status. Data on invasive vascular plant species occurrences are provided for the first time.