Naurzum Nature Reserve
Naurzum State Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Kostanay Region, Kazakhstan. It is part of the UNESCO heritage site Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan. It protects about of steppes, semi desert and forests. The administrative office of the protected area is located in Karamendy village.
Size
The protected area is located in the central part of the Turgay Plateau within the steppe zone of Kazakhstan. Aksuat lake is located in the reserve. It consists of three clusters of core areas, which are surrounded by buffer zones and connected via a protected eco-corridor. The core area is about ; the buffer zone is about in size.
Main Area Naurzum-Kargay Cluster is the largest of the three component areas. It is located about west of the capital city of Nur Sultan. This area consists of and includes several large lakes including Zharman Lake.
Sypsyn-Aebu Cluster is located about west of Naurzum-Kargay. It contains.
Tersek-Karagay Cluster is located about north of Sypsyn-Aebu. It contains.
An Eco-Corridor of borders all three clusters merging them into a unified area, that along with additional buffer areas of surrounding the three core areas, provides a total protected area of.
Flora
The vegetation is diverse and consists of steppes, shrub lands, semi deserts and as a unique feature within the southern steppe zone, also forests. These forests are composed mainly of pine, birch and aspen. Along the seashores there is also typical aquatic vegetation of sedges and reeds. In the shrub dominated parts, typical steppe shrubs are Russian almond, cherry, greenweed, species of wild roses and juniper. At moister places there also willow bushes and along lake shores, tamarisk.
Fauna
There are 47 species of mammals, 279 species of birds, 10 species of reptile and amphibious animals and 10 species of fish reported in the reserve. In addition more than 1000 species of invertebrates are found. Typical mammals of the steppe zone are steppe polecat, corsac fox, common fox, Eurasian wolf, long-eared hedgehog, European hare and several rodent species like bobak marmot, large-toothed souslik, red-cheeked souslik, little souslik, common hamster, jerboas as well as several species of voles and lemmings. The forests are inhabited by elk, Tartarian roe deer, Eurasian lynx, badger, ermine, weasel, pine marten and raccoon dog, red squirrel, European hedgehog, Blue Hare. Mainly along rivers one can also find wild boar. Among the species, which can be found occasionally in the deserts and semi deserts of the reserve is the rare saiga antelope.