TRANSBOUNDARY IRTYSH RIVER AS A SOURCE OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Background. The Irtysh River is an important water resource for the three countries through whose territory it flows - China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. It is a supplier of valuable ecosystem services, the volume of which directly depends on the economic activities of user countries. To improve the efficiency of water resource use within the framework of the concept of sustainable development, the UN proposes to use an ecosystem approach. An analysis of the literature on this issue showed that an assessment of the Russian section of the Irtysh River from the point of view of its provision of ecosystem services has not yet been carried out. The purpose of the research was to determine the composition, content and volumes of ecosystem services in the Russian section of the transboundary Irtysh River. Materials and methods. The composition and content of ecosystem services of the Irtysh River were determined using the UN methodology (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). Information was gathered from official Internet sources and peer-reviewed journals. Results. The study showed that the Russian section of the Irtysh, covering its middle and lower reaches, provides all types of ecosystem services. Among the resource-providing services of the river, economic priority is given to water intake and sand extraction, the volumes of which have reached the maximum possible level. High potential for the development of certain types of resource-providing and cultural ecosystem services has been identified. The significance and content of the regulating and supporting ecosystem services of the Irtysh are revealed, their role in the conservation of biological diversity through the functioning of specially protected natural areas located near the river is outlined. Conclusion. The results can be applied to realize the potential of ecosystem services of the Irtysh River and improve the efficiency of its management. EDN: FGXUYZ