Researchers of the “Land Reclamation” Laboratory of the Geography Institute under the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan-Subahat Isgandarov, Chimnaz Bakhshiyeva, and Dayanat Bakhishov - under the supervision of the head of the laboratory, Ismayil Guliyev, carried out a five-day expedition in the research area within the framework of the topic “Desertification of the Soils of Absheron and Southeastern Gobustan and the Development of Comprehensive Measures to Combat It.”

The aim of the expedition was to assess the current situation against the background of the interaction between natural and anthropogenic factors and to develop comprehensive measures to eliminate their negative impacts.

The field research was conducted along the following routes: Duvanni-Toraghay-Umbaki; Sangachal-Cheyildag; Coastal Area-Gizildash- Ilkhidag; and Khirdalan-Perekushkul-Gobustan.

During the field studies, separate routes were assessed using the comparative geographical method, taking into account natural and anthropogenic factors. Plant and soil samples were collected from characteristic areas and brought to the laboratory for analysis.

In order to properly evaluate the anthropogenic pressure, interviews were conducted with local residents and farmers engaged in livestock breeding.

This research project covers the years 2024–2026. The results of long-term monitoring and observations from the last three years will make it possible to accurately assess the desertification processes occurring in the soils of the research area.