Nature of Kazakhstan and its features. How is nature protected in Kazakhstan?

The nature of Kazakhstan is very diverse. There are vast deserts, high mountains, vast steppes, deep rivers and large lakes. The fauna and flora of the country are represented by rare species of plants and animals listed in the Red Book. From this article you will learn about what the natural world of Kazakhstan is and what measures are being taken to preserve it.

Features of the nature of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan occupies the ninth place in the world on its territory. At the same time, only seventeen million people live in it. It is a country of vast expanses, inhabited by thousands of species of birds and animals. In its own way, the nature of Kazakhstan is magnificent. Most of the territory of the country (44%) is occupied by deserts. Almost a third (26%) in these parts is in the steppe zone. Forest in Kazakhstan grows very sparingly (5.5%). In the very center of the country is located a huge "yellow steppe" - Sary-Arka. The territory of the state is so vast that in the East it is captured by Tarbagatai and Altai, and in the West by the Ural Mountains. In the southwest of Kazakhstan is the Ustyurt plateau and the Caspian coast. The eastern border of the country rests on the northern part of the Tien Shan.

Local Reserves

The protection of nature of Kazakhstan is of prime importance for the country's leadership. A plan of measures for enriching and restoring the natural resources of this wild and beautiful land has been developed. Maintaining the activities of state reserves is one of the priority areas. Currently, seven of them operate in the country: Ustyurt, Markakol, Kurgaldzhinsky, Barsakelmes, Almaty, Naur-zum and Aksu-Dzhabaglinsky. Each reserve maintains a unique ecosystem on its territory. Narzumsky - is engaged in the study and preservation of virgin feather grass steppe with deep lakes located on it, on the banks of which grow burs. Barsakelme - covers a desert island with an area of 18 thousand hectares in the Aral Sea. There are few animals and birds here, but a rich plant world. Aksu-Jabagli Reserve is one of the oldest in Kazakhstan. It occupies four high-altitude landscape belts, each of which is home to the rarest representatives of fauna and flora.

Water resources

Kazakhstan has no access to the World Ocean and is washed by two inland seas - the Aral and Caspian. The country's water resources are very extensive - it contains eight and a half thousand large and small rivers. The largest of them are Tobol, Irtysh, Ili, Ishim, Syrdarya, Emba and Ural. The largest lake in the country is Balkhash. Kazakhstan pays much attention to the preservation of the unique ecosystem, fauna and flora of the Aral Sea, partially located on the territory of the state. The Caspian coast, its entire northern and partly eastern part also belong to Kazakhstan.

Forest zone

Most of the country's forest resources are located near the mountains of the northern Tien Shan. Here grow alpine meadows and juniper forests, in the gorges you can see walnut trees and apple trees. Among the inhabitants of these reserved places there are brown bear, Siberian mountain goat, snow leopard. In the vicinity of Altai there are taiga forests. In this region, on Lake Markakol, there is a nature reserve. In the Altai taiga wolves, argali, marals, bears and lynx live. Here also nestle grouse, grouse and white partridge. Four species of fish live in Markokol Lake. Among them is the bitter, having excellent taste qualities.

Steppe spaces

The steppes of Kazakhstan are an exciting and exciting sight. In their boundless limits, hundreds of salt and fresh lakes can be found. The natural world of these places needs careful protection. Lakes Tengiz and Kurgaldzhin are on the list of lands and reservoirs of international importance. The nature of eastern Kazakhstan is magnificent. Here there are rare species of birds. For example, on the Tengiz lake there are pink flamingos. This is the northernmost nesting place for rare birds. In the vicinity of the Kurgaldzhinsky lakes there is a sharp-nosed chamga. This bird takes the nestlings in a floating nest, then wears them for a long time on their backs, dives and even hunts with them. These unique representatives of birds live in the Kurgaldzhinsky Reserve. The animal world in these parts is represented mainly by rodents: jerboa, water rat, steppe variegated, marmot-bobak and so on.

Desert world

The nature of Kazakhstan is a world of diverse deserts. Among them, one can distinguish a stony one - Betpak-Dala, gravelly - Ustyurt plateau, sandy ones - Kyzylkum, Karakum, Moyinkum. Deserts are inhabited by jerboas, gazelle, and also a formidable viper. The nature of Kazakhstan is rich in reptiles. Sixteen species of snakes are found in the country . In the sand dunes of Kyzydkum you can meet a gray lizard - the largest lizard in the world.

The Ustyurt reserve is the youngest and largest in the country. It supports the livelihoods of twelve species of birds and animals that live in the northern desert. They are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. The wild boar, dressing, gazelle, four-lane skid are subject to protection. Of the representatives of birds, there live a desert partridge, a saker, a cactus, and a black-bellied peasant.

In addition to reserves

The protection of nature in Kazakhstan is not limited to the organization of reserves. There are so-called sanctuaries in the country. These are the territories on which economic activity is permissible, but within the agreed time limits and within limited limits, which do not allow harm to the surrounding natural world. In total, 80 wildlife sanctuaries are organized in Kazakhstan.

Some natural objects are considered monuments of nature. Their aesthetic and scientific value exceeds the economic value. In Kazakhstan, such monuments as "Charyn Yasenovaya Dacha", "Chinturgen Spruce" (Alma-Ata region) and "Goose Flight" (a locality in the vicinity of Pavlodar on the Irtysh coast) are declared as such monuments.

The nature of Kazakhstan is severe, but beautiful in its own way. Its rare and endangered species are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. It was established in 1974. The book was last republished in 1999, in its latest version there are 40 species of mammals, 57 birds, 10 reptiles, 3 amphibians and 18 fish.