Degradation processes and the effectiveness of intensive grazing in foothill pastures of Uzbekistan

Introduction Foothill (adyr) rangelands of eastern Uzbekistan serve as a key forage resource for regional livestock systems but are increasingly affected by land degradation driven by grazing pressure and environmental variability. Methods This study integrates long-term geobotanical survey data (1969–2018) with satellite-derived NDVI time-series analysis (2015–2023) to assess vegetation dynamics in the Akhangaron district. In addition, a field-based experimental comparison between continuous (extensive) and rotational (intensive) grazing systems was conducted to evaluate management impacts on pasture productivity. Results The analysis revealed a 46% decline in total pasture biomass and a 20% reduction in forage nutritional value over the 50-year period. Vegetation composition shifted from highly palatable ephemeral species ( Poa bulbosa L., Carex pachystylis J.Gay) toward more grazing-resistant taxa. Seasonal Mann-Kendall trend analysis indicated a weak negative tendency in spring peak NDVI; however, this trend was not statistically significant ( p >0.05). Field experiments demonstrated that rotational grazing increased total biomass by approximately 20% and edible biomass by more than 40% compared to continuous grazing, along with improvements in vegetation structure. Discussion The findings indicate that long-term pasture degradation is primarily associated with sustained grazing pressure, while short-term improvements under rotational grazing highlight its potential as an adaptive management strategy. The combined use of historical field data and multi-year remote sensing enhances the reliability of pasture monitoring in semi-arid environments.