Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve

The nature reserve Aksu - Jabagly (Russian Аксу - Жабаглинский заповедник / Aksu - Schabaglinski sapowednik, Kazakh Ақсу - Жабағылы қорығы / Aqsu - Schabaghyly Qoryghy ) is the oldest state nature reserve in Central Asia. It is located in the south of the Republic of Kazakhstan and includes the north-western ranges of the Tien Shan Mountains. The name of the nature reserve is derived from the name of the largest river of the protected area, the Aksu, and the mountain range Jabagly which lies in the northern part of the territory.

Geography

The nature reserve Aksu - Jabagly extends to the foothills of the Alatau Talaskiy, in the western Tian- Shan Mountains. It is bordered on the east by the Kyrgyz Republic, to the south by the valley of the river Maidantal and to the Republic of Uzbekistan. To the west of the Kyzyl Kum desert reserve lies and north of the Qaratau Mountains. In the east and south of the Tian Shan extend more chains. Administratively, there is the reserve on the territories of Tyul'kubaskiy and Lengerskiy rayon, in the municipality of South Kazakhstan. The reserve is situated at altitudes 1100-4236 m and has an area of ​​131,934 ha, the main mountain ranges are the Jabagly in the northern part, and the main ridge of the Talaskyj Alatau in the center and the Baldybrektau and Ugamskiy Alatau to the south. They form steep slopes, but also gentle plateaus and shoulders. The highest mountain, the peak Sayram, located in the southernmost tip of the reserve. The mountain ranges are separated by the rivers Jabagly, Aksu and Baldyrbek, which flow westward and discharge into the Syr Darya River, which in turn flows into the Aral Sea. The river Aksu forms a canyon of 500 meters depth, which can be crossed in the area of the reserve only on the southern border via a pedestrian bridge.

Geology

The most dominant geological outlets in the reserve are Paleozoic limestones, dolomites and carbonated tuffs. On the plateau and the foothills meter high Lössmassen are deposited. Far less common are acid igneous rocks in front of the Permian.

Climate

The climate in the region of the reserve is determined by the continental location in the heart of the Asian continent and western, precipitation -generating air masses. In the montane location of the reserve there is a weather station that recorded 6 ° C mean annual temperature and 903 mm total precipitation per year. During the winter is snowy and cold in this position, the summer is very hot and dry. Infamous the winds are in the region, among others, the Chokpak that can bend at speeds of up to 40 m / s trees.

Flora and vegetation

The flora of the nature reserve includes 1312 vascular plants. Particularly rich in species are the genera Astragalus, Gagea, Allium, Carex and Oxytropis. Off the field 44 rare plant species are known, which are registered in the Red Book of Kazakhstan, including Malus sieversii, a wild apple style, the wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera ) and many tulip varieties (eg Tulipa greigii ). In the lower elevations of the mountain semi-desert, dry scrub and steppe determine the landscape, forming a colorful carpet with geophytes in the spring. In the montane location, a mosaic of juniper - open forests (Juniperus seravshanica and Juniperus semiglobosa ) and mesophilic meadows with Euro -Siberian and Central Asian species extends. In the Aksu Canyon can still be found deciduous forest fragments with Asian dishes wild apple (Malus sieversii ) and Turkestanischem maple (Acer turkestanicum ). The subalpine and alpine stage of meadows, shrubs, thorn cushion corridors ( with Onobrychis echidna ) and niedrigwüchsigen grass covered ( with Carex melanantha, Kobresia persica ). Along the rivers grow willow and birch forests. Frequently represented debris surfaces on which the rare blue tongues and leek (Allium karataviense ) grows.

Fauna

It listed for the reserve 44 species of mammals, which are registered in the Red Book of Kazakhstan as a strictly protected. The most prominent is the snow leopard, which is, however, very rarely seen. Something more common are the Isabellbär, the Tianshan Argali (Ovis ammon karelini ), the Indian porcupine ( Hystrix indica) and Menzbiers marmot.