This study analyzes the interannual dynamics of fallow land extent in the North Kazakhstan Region during 2021–2025 using Sentinel-2 data. Fallow fields were identified through a rule-based multi-temporal approach in which the adapted Plowed Land Index (PLI) was used as the principal indicator of mechanically processed soil surfaces, while the NDVI was applied as a supporting indicator to exclude actively vegetated fields and control for vegetation overgrowth. Annual fallow masks were generated within a unified seasonal observation window and subsequently analyzed at the district level. The results revealed pronounced interannual variability in fallow land extent, including both reductions and partial recovery over the study period, together with substantial spatial heterogeneity among districts. The largest fallow area was recorded in 2021, whereas the minimum was observed in 2024. Comparison with district-level hydrothermal coefficient (HTC) values showed that lower moisture availability generally corresponded to larger fallow areas, while relatively more favorable hydrothermal conditions were associated with their reduction. At the same time, district-specific trajectories indicate that interannual dynamics were controlled not only by agroclimatic variability but also by differences in land-use structure and agricultural management. The proposed approach confirms the applicability of Sentinel-2 time series for regional monitoring of fallow lands and demonstrates the methodological value of the adapted PLI for identifying mechanically processed fallow surfaces under the heterogeneous agricultural conditions of North Kazakhstan.
Arystanov et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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