The Effect of Livestock Grazing on the Chemical Properties of Soils in Summer Livestock Camps in the Fann Mountains (Tajikistan)

High-mountain pastoral landscapes in Central Asia remain well preserved, providing an opportunity to assess the impact of pastoral activities on the natural environment. This study was conducted in the Fann Mountains (Tajikistan), where spring–summer grazing occurs. Areas where cattle rest during the day or night are known as qutans (summer cattle camps). This study aimed to analyse soil properties and their variability along a transect passing through summer cattle camps on geomorphologically diverse terrain. The studied soils are shallow and often lack their original humus horizon. On steep slopes, soil development is limited, whereas in low-slope areas, a thick organic layer accumulates due to animal excrement. Most soils were neutral to slightly alkaline in H₂O (pH 6.4–7.7), while pH in KCl ranged from 5.9 to 7.6. Organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) contents varied widely, ranging from 1.08% to 29.69% and 0.136% to 2.425%, respectively. Total phosphorus (TP) concentrations ranged from 201 mg·kg⁻¹ to 13.520 mg·kg⁻¹, higher than the available phosphorus (AP: 4.36-4120 mg·kg⁻¹) for plants in all examined soil horizons. Elevated concentrations of TN, TOC and TP were observed in the central part of the qutans, where limited surface runoff and the accumulation of additional organic matter transported from higher elevations contribute to increased organic matter content in these areas.