Naurzum Nature Reserve

The nature reserve Naurzum ( Kazakh Наурызым мемлекеттік табиғи қорығы / Naurysym memlekettik tabighi qoryghy, Russian Наурзумский Государственный Природнный Заповедник / Naursumski Gossudarstwenny Prirodnny Sapowednik ) is a nature reserve in the north of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It was founded in 1931 with the aim to protect a part of the Asian steppes. The reserve now has a supra-regional importance as a rest stop along the major bird migration routes of Eurasia. It belongs as part of the northern Kasachensteppe Saryarka a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Geography

The nature reserve is located in the administrative district Naurzum Qostanai, in northern Kazakhstan. It extends to vast plains within the Turgai Valley, located in altitudes of 120-320 m. The area has numerous endorheic freshwater and saltwater lakes, which are the largest of the lake Zharman, Bolshoi Aksuat and Baltaisor. The lakes are up to 3 m deep and are fed by groundwater and precipitation. Among the most important rivers include the Schochkaly, Akkansaj, Karasu and Dana bike. The nature reserve consists of three sub- areas, which are separated by an ecological corridor of about 9-14 miles: 1) Naurzum (main part ), 2) Sypsyn and 3) Tersek.

The area was inhabited Naurzum before the establishment of the nature reserve of Kazakh nomads. In the 18-19 century, many natural scientists have the area traversed in the course of their expeditions, including well-known researchers such as Alexander von Humboldt. The pine forests of the area went under the administration of the Russian Tsar in 1884. After the integration of Kazakhstan into the Soviet Union, the nature reserve Naurzum was founded in 1931. it is thus one of the oldest nature reserves in the former Soviet Union and is the second oldest in Kazakhstan. In 1951 the reserve was closed and in 1966 restored as such. Its pine forests were placed under a collective forest management at this time. After 1966, the area of the sanctuary was enlarged again and established an ecological corridor between the partial surfaces. In 2008, the Nature Reserve Naurzum was appointed as part of the Sary Arka Kasachensteppe a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Geology

The geological composition of the protected area is composed of several layers of sediments, the oldest of which date back to the Paleozoic. The near-surface horizons consist of sandy and clay sediments of the Oligocene and Miocene. These continental deposits form meter-thick and extensive stages in the vast plains of the area.

Soils

Widespread soil in the nature reserve are loamy and sandy Kastanozeme, Solonchak and solonietz floors.

Climate

The climate of the nature reserve is continental. The winters are cold (average January temperature: -17 ° C), low precipitation and have long-lasting frosts. The summer, however, are extremely hot ( average temperature in July is 24.2 ° C). The total annual precipitation averages 233 mm, which falls in the summer up to 40 % of the annual rainfall.

Flora and vegetation

There are 687 known plant species for the conservation area, including 12 protected species that are entered in the Red Book of Kazakhstan, as Schrenk tulip ( Tulipa schrenkii ). In the area of ​​forest fragments of Commons, pine, birch and aspen spread, which are some of the southern forest fragments in the steppes of Kazakhstan. A large area occupies the dry steppe or short- grass steppe in which spring grasses, such as the hair - esparto grass ( Stipa capillat ), gray disc Diges feather grass ( Stipa pennata ) dominate. In the spring bloom here numerous geophytes, such as the yellowish finger Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla flavescens), Bieber stone tulip ( Tulipa biebersteiniana ) and Fritillaria meleagroides.

Fauna

342 vertebrate species are known for the nature reserve. The number of species of birds is particularly high, partly because the area on one of the most important bird migration routes is (282 bird species, including 158 hibernating ). Among the 44 rare bird species found in the reserve include the Dalmatian Pelican and the Pink Pelican, Demoiselle Crane, Gray Crane. Among the birds of prey, among others, Pallid Harrier, Golden Eagle, and Eastern Imperial Eagle occur. A globally rare species engaged in the field, is the Siberian Crane (Grus leucogranus ).