Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Aqmola and Karaganda regions of Kazakhstan, located west of the city ofAstana. It is part of the UNESCOheritage siteSaryarka — Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan, Ramsar site and biosphere reserve. It protects about 5432 km2 of lakes, steppes and semi deserts. The biggest lake is Lake Tengiz. Territory Korgalzhyn State nature reserve area of 543171 hectares is one integral portion located in the Steppe of central Kazakhstan region of the Indian and Siberian-East African migration routes of migratory birds and an important wetland of international importance, not only for Kazakhstan, but also for the whole of Asia. Extensive reserve waters provide the necessary living space in the largest Asian population of wetland birds.
History
In 1976 Tengis - Korgalzhyn lakes have been included in the Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance. Vingue lake tengiz, as its shores, had never been exposed to anthropogenic impact, this lake in 2000a goal was included in the list of the international organization ”Living Lakes”, which includes the most unique lakes in the world in 2007, the area has also become part of worldwide network of places recognized as extremely valuable for the conservation of birds. In 2008 Korgalzhyn State Nature as part of the nomination “Saryarka- Steppe and Lake of Northern Kazakhstan” is included in the list of World Natural Heritage UNESKO. In 2012 Reserve UNESCO recognized as the first Biosphere Reserve in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The plant
In general, the biodiversity of the protected area includes more than 500 species of plant and more than 1400 species of aquatic and terrestrial animals, including 43 species of mammals,350 species of birds. Wetland birds in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn lake consists of 112 species, representing 87% of the wetland avifauna Kazakhstan. Also found here 2 species of amphibian, 4 species of reptiles, 14 species of fish. Insects are currently over 700 known species, although their diversity can reach more than 3000 species. The steppe area is also important as a place of preservation of unique reference sites of natural steppe ecosystems subjected to degradation in other parts of Kazakhstan in its various degrees. Steppe ecosystems are habitats of conventional, as well as endemic, rare and endangered species.
The animals
On Reserve territory it marked more than 60vave species of animals and plants listed in the Red Book. For example,41 species in the list of international Conservation of nature.On The Lakes is concentrated to 10% of the world population of Dalmatian pelican and up to 10-20% of the world population of the territory of food during the summer and autumn moult migration in belayet huge number of birds, tens of thousands of geese, hundred of thousands of dabbling and diving ducks and waders. Among the Red bred book species of steppe and around water areas should be nofel steppe sandpiper sociable lapwing, bustard, little bustard, booted eagle, steppe eagle, white tailed eagle, pallid harrier, steppe pustelku, Demoiselle crane and others. 8 Species of mammals included in the, including souga and marmot IVCN. The Red Book of Kazakhstan 5 listed plants species, including tulip schrenka, which is of great importance as a reserve fund of material selection. This species is the ancestor of some cultivated varieties of tulips bred in the Netherlands in the XVl Century. Preserving the natural state sites on its territory and adjacent areas, the main objective of the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve. The wetlands are home to pelicans, cranes and the northernmost population of pink flamingos. Altogether there are more than 300 bird species in the reserve. The steppes of the reserve are home to wolves, saiga antelopes and bobak marmots.
