Abstract
<jats:p>Sustainable pasture management is a scientifically based approach to the efficient use of forage resources, aimed at preventing land degradation, conserving ecosystem functions, and improving livestock productivity. It involves rotational grazing, adherence to appropriate stocking rates, and the restoration of degraded lands, thereby ensuring the protection of soil, water resources, and biodiversity while maintaining ecological balance and agroecosystem sustainability. Under conditions of increasing climate variability, more frequent drought events, intensification of soil erosion processes, and growing anthropogenic pressure, pasture ecosystems are exposed to a heightened risk of degradation. Human economic activity, particularly overgrazing, is one of the key drivers of negative changes in the structure and functioning of pastures. Intensive grazing leads to a reduction in aboveground and belowground biomass productivity, soil compaction, deterioration of soil water–air regimes, and damage to plant root systems. As a result, the biological productivity of rangelands declines, and their capacity for natural regeneration is impaired. Understanding the mechanisms by which grazing affects pasture ecosystems is crucial for restoring ecosystem services and ensuring the sustainable development of livestock production. Although numerous studies have examined the effects of grazing on erosion, vegetation structure, and soil physicochemical properties, the mechanisms underlying vegetation transformation under different grazing regimes remain insufficiently understood and require further investigation. Experimental studies conducted in the semi-desert zone of the Bokeyorda district, West Kazakhstan Region, compared different pasture management systems, including continuous grazing without rest periods, rotational (deferred) grazing with seasonal load distribution, and within-season pasture rotation. The results demonstrated that the application of these management strategies, combined with biometric assessment of vegetation, ensures stable forage quality, reflected in consistent feed unit yield and the maintenance of optimal levels of digestible protein and metabolizable energy, which are key components of a balanced livestock diet. </jats:p>