Sung-Khacapdag Nature Reserve. Back in the 30s, Academician N. I. Vavilov came to the conclusion that Western Kopetdag is one of the world centers for the formation of fruit trees in the dry subtropics. Then he came up with a proposal to create a reserve here. However, only in 1977 a branch of the Kopetdag Nature Reserve was established in the region, which was then transformed into an independent Syunt-Khasardag Nature Reserve. It consists of the Central, Ayderinsky and Chendyrsky sections and a mountain reserve. The total protected area is 30,260 hectares. The flora of Southwestern Kopetdag is extremely unique. which is explained by the location of the region at the junction of the Hyrcanian, Khorasanian and Eastern Mediterranean flora. 1,322 species of higher plants have been identified here, 190 of which are endemic, a wide variety of common almonds, walnuts, pomegranates, figs and forest grapes. Many plants can be used as essential oil medicinal, resinous, dyeing, as well as decorative purposes. Only in the South-Western Kopetdag and nowhere else is the legendary mandrake found, which in ancient times was considered a panacea for many diseases. The fauna is represented by 76 species of mammals, 250 species of birds and 36 reptiles. Of the birds, the most rare are the bearded golden eagle, saker falcon, snake eagle, black stork, steppe kestrel, black vulture and black vulture, which within Central Asia is found only in the valleys of the Western Kopetdag. The delay in establishing the reserve led to the disappearance of the Turanian tiger, cheetah, Bukhara deer, bezoar goat, kulan, bear, otter. The leopard, mountain sheep (urial), hyena and even wild boar are on the verge of extinction. The reserve carried out a successful reacclimatization of the kulan, releasing 44 individuals into the Sumbar valley in 1987-88. They took root and in 12 years multiplied the population. Employees of the scientific department annually maintain the “Chronicle of Nature”. They published two scientific collections about the nature of the South-Western Kopetdag, dozens of articles, and began the design of the Museum of Nature.

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The reserve carried out a successful reacclimatization of the kulan, releasing 44 individuals into the Sumbar valley in 1987-88. They took root and in 12 years multiplied the population. Employees of the scientific department annually maintain the “Chronicle of Nature”. They published two scientific collections about the nature of the South-Western Kopetdag, dozens of articles, and began the design of the Museum of Nature.

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Fauna
It is home to 68 species of mammals (including leopard or leopard, Turkmen mountain sheep or urial, bezoar goat, honey badger, hyena, bandage, porcupine), 280 species of birds (including Caspian snowcock, chukar, pheasant, bearded vulture, Shaheen, saker falcon ). Since the end of the 19th century, the Kopetdag fauna has become significantly impoverished; the cheetah, tiger, goitered gazelle, and kulan have not survived.
Flora
More than 960 species of higher plants (including elm, maple, oleaster, Caucasian hackberry, fig, cherry plum, hawthorn, barberry, cotoneaster, almond, ephedra). In the foothills the vegetation is steppe, in the middle mountains and highlands there are juniper trees (Turkmen juniper, more than 21 000 ha), thickets of saxaul and pistachio.

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The Kaplankyr Nature Reserve was created in 1979 in the northern part of the Karakum Desert on an area of 28,220 hectares. It also includes Shakhsenemsky and Sarykamyshsky reserves. The entire complex of protected areas covers the harsh region of clayey and partly sandy deserts, including Sarykamysh Lake, where 83 species of birds, mostly migratory, nest, rest and feed. The main purpose of the reserve is to save the Ustyurt sheep, which is on the verge of extinction. In addition, goitered gazelles and kulans brought from Badkhyza, as well as herds of saigas migrating from the steppes of Kazakhstan in winter, are protected. Among the predators, the caracal, honey badger, wolves, foxes, jackals and wild cats live here. Reptiles are represented by monitor lizards, a few species of lizards and snakes. The vegetation cover of clay deserts, in particular, the vast Kaplankyr plateau (cheetah plateau), is represented by low subshrubs from the goosefoot family. The coastal sands of Sarykamysh are supported by sedge, reeds, and in places black saxaul. There are about 300 species of flowering plants here. Among them are the Khiva solyanka and the liana-like shrub, which are listed in the Red Book. The extremely harsh soil and climatic conditions of the region hinder the growth of the number of game animals. The reserve staff monitors the state of the food supply of ungulates and the dynamics of their numbers, which is reflected in the annual “Chronicles of Nature”. Researchers devote a lot of time to promoting measures to protect wildlife.

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The Kaplankyr Nature Reserve or Kaplankyr Nature Reserve (Turkmen: Gaplaňgyr goraghanasy) is located on the southern edge of the Ustyurt Plateau in the Dashoguz region in northern Turkmenistan. It covers an area of 2822 km², and together with two reserves included in its protective zone, 8210 km². In the 1980s, the ecosystems of the Zaunguz Karakum, Sarykamysh depression and South-Eastern Ustyurt were studied in order to develop the scientific basis for the conservation and restoration of the region’s ecosystems. It was carried out by the scientific department of the reserve (V.M. Shubenkin, V.Yu. Chernov and others) within the framework of state budgetary planned topics. As in other reserves, a “Chronicle of Nature” is being maintained here, and together with employees of the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna, field trips are conducted to study the current state of biodiversity of this interesting area in the north of Turkmenistan.

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Fauna
26 species of mammals and 147 species of birds are registered in the Kaplankyr Nature Reserve. Protected rare species of mammals living in the reserve are the gazelle, Ustyurt urial, and honey badger. In winter, herds of saigas from neighboring Karakalpakstan migrate to the reserve. In the 1980s, the kulan was reacclimatized. According to zoogeographical zoning, the territory belongs to the desert-steppe subregion of the Palaearctic zoogeographical region. Southern Ustyurt, where the main part of the reserve is located, is part of the Ustyurt region of the Kazakh zoogeographical province; The Sarykamysh and Shasenemsky reserves, as well as the adjacent Zaunguz Karakum, belong to the Iranian province of the Central Asian Desert District. A characteristic feature of the animal world of the reserve is also due to the geographical location of the reserve in the zone of transition from northern to southern types of deserts. With regard to insects, in general, it can be said that beetles, locusts and termites are common in clayey flat areas, and mosquitoes, ants, and lepidoptera are common in sandy habitats; of beetles – darkling beetles and weevils. The Kaplankyrsky reserve also includes two reserves: the Sarykamysh reserve, with an area of 210,400 hectares, organized in 1980 to protect lake-coastal ecosystems, and the Shakhsenemsky reserve, 270,000 hectares, created in 1983 to preserve rocky deserts.

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The Kugitang Nature Reserve was created in 1986 with the aim of preserving and restoring the ecosystems of Kugitang. It is located on the western slope of the ridge, its area is small, amounting to only 27,140 hectares. Both the flora and fauna of Kugitang differ significantly from the flora and fauna of Kopetdag and Badkhyz. In the depths of the ridge there are many karst caves, fabulously decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and other sinter formations. Such a developed karst is not found anywhere else in Central Asia. The vegetation at the foot of Kugitang is expressed by grasses, above there is a tree-shrub layer with a predominance of Zeravshan juniper and two types of almonds, and at the top prickly subshrubs dominate. The flora is dominated by Pamir-Alai species, in total 872 species grow here plants, 10% of which are endemic, included in the Red Book of Turkmenistan. Among the mammals of Kugitang, the Bukhara subspecies of mountain sheep, brown bear, Turkestan lynx and the rare markhor markhor goat stand out. Birds are represented by hundreds of species, especially interesting are the paradise flycatcher and the endemic Brahmin starling, which are not found in other mountains of Turkmenistan. The reserve has three reserves: Karlyuksky, Khojapilsky and Khojaburdzhibelentsky with a total area of 90 thousand hectares. On the territory of the first, the famous Karlyuk caves with underground rivers and reservoirs were taken under protection (it was here that the rarest fish was discovered – the Kugitang blind char). The Khojapil reserve is famous for the clear prints of the giant paws of dinosaurs that went extinct millions of years ago. The third reserve protects the sacred pistachio grove of Khoja-Burji-Belent. Thanks to such wonderful creations of nature, the easternmost outskirts of Turkmenistan, despite its remoteness, invariably attracts tourists, speleologists and simply romantics.

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Kugitang Nature Reserve (Turkmen: Köýtendag goraghanasy) is a nature reserve in the Lebap velayat of Turkmenistan. The reserve was created in 1989 on an area of 271.4 km² to protect the unique mountain landscapes of the Kugitangtau ridge. In total, there are about 150 plant species, many of them endemic. The reserve is home to 21 species of mammals (buck, Turkmen lynx, white-clawed bear, leopard, bearded vulture), 143 species of birds, 21 of reptiles, 2 of amphibians. Archaeological and paleontological monuments are preserved – traces of dinosaurs, Karlyuk caves and Cap-Coutan caves.

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Fauna
The reserve owns three reserves: Karlyuksky, Khojapilsky and Khojaburdzhibelentsky, with a total area of ​​about 90 thousand hectares.
Karlyuk complex reserve with an area of 40 thousand hectares.
Khojapil landscape and paleontological reserve with an area of 31.6 thousand hectares.
Khojaburjibelent landscape reserve with an area of 17.6 thousand hectares.

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The history of Turkmen reserves began in 1927. The first of these was the Repetek Nature Reserve created on the basis of the station. It is located in the South-Eastern Karakum Desert, 70 km south of Turkmenabat. On an area of 34,600 hectares, all the typical elements of a sandy desert are represented: ridges, interridge valleys, hummocky and dune sands, as well as rare bird species: golden eagle, white-winged woodpecker, desert nightingale. Among the vertebrate animals, the following stand out: the steppe lynx, caracal, porcupine, goitered gazelle population, and a number of rodents. 22 species of reptiles and 1,343 species of invertebrates live here, including the Turkmen rhinoceros beetle, which has not been found anywhere else. The flora includes 120 species of higher plants, some types of lichens and mosses. There is a Museum of Nature at the station, where stuffed birds, mammals, reptiles, collections of local butterflies and other insects, and herbariums are exhibited. Over the years of its existence, the Repetek Nature Reserve has become a true mecca for desert scientists of the world. Scientists from 70 countries visited here to take part in seminars on combating desertification in arid areas. In the fall of 1978, an international symposium was held in Repetek, which was attended by representatives of 18 member states of the IUCN General Assembly held in Ashgabat. For great achievements in the study of deserts and the fight against desertification, Repetek is included in the global network of biosphere reserves. The results of research and recommendations of domestic experts are published in the largest scientific journals in the world. In addition to scientific research, a small team of the reserve conducts excursions for visitors and organizes lectures among the population.

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Repetek Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in the South-Eastern Karakum desert in the Lebap velayat of Turkmenistan, 70 km southwest of the city of Turkmenabad (Chardzhou), around the station. Repetek.
Area: 34,600 hectares of sandy desert.
Altitudes: 180–220 m above sea level.
The hottest place in the USSR and Turkmenistan (+ 51.8° in the shade in 1983)

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Fauna
Invertebrates – 1343 species and subspecies (in the Red Book – 7);
Amphibians – 1 species
Reptiles – 22 species (in the Red Book – 2),
Birds – 202 species (in the Red Book – 13),
There are 29 species of mammals (3 in the Red Book).
A number of rare “Red Book” species are protected, characteristic of the sandy deserts of the subtropics and temperate zone (of large animals – caracal (desert lynx), Indian porcupine, goitered gazelle (about 30 individuals), gray monitor lizard, Central Asian cobra; rare birds and invertebrates, etc. .). Also in need of protection is a unique ecosystem – thickets of black saxaul – unique saxaul “forests” and a number of rare plant species.
The problem of the reserve is the protection of flora and fauna from the residents of the village. Repetek, seeking to harvest wood for heating here, graze livestock (sheep) and engage in poaching.

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The history of the Khazar Reserve begins in 1932, when the Gasankuli Ornithological Reserve was established. Since 1968, it was called Krasnovodsk, and in 1994, by the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan, it was renamed the Khazar Reserve. At the same time, the large island of Ogurdzhaly was included in its structure as a reserve. The boundaries of the reserve include the Khazar and Esenguli sections separated from each other. The total area of the protected area is 269 thousand hectares. The Khazar section includes the waters of the Turkmenbashi, North Cheleken, Balkan and Mikhailovsky gulfs. Underwater vegetation, zooplankton and benthos, as well as the fauna of vertebrates are abundant here. The Esenguli area includes the former bay of the same name, lakes Maloye and Bolshoye Delili and a land area with grass vegetation and tamarisk thickets. The flora of the reserve includes more than 360 species of flowering plants. Algae, as well as 29 species of zoobenthos, provide a rich food supply for millions of waterfowl and fish that winter here. The fauna is also rich – there are more than 420 species of vertebrates alone. Among them are 48 species of fish and 293 species of birds. Hundreds of thousands of birds spend the five-month winter here. Among them, pink flamingos, three types of swans, geese and ducks stand out. Favorable conditions for the mass wintering of waterfowl led to the inclusion of the Khazar Nature Reserve as a site of international importance. Second place in terms of biodiversity (49 species) is occupied by mammals. Among them, the most typical are the endemic Caspian seal, long-eared hedgehog, and rodents. More than 10% of the fauna of the reserve (45 species) are rare, endangered animals included in the Red Book of Turkmenistan. Long-term research by scientists of the reserve is summarized in 26 books “Chronicles of Nature”. Scientifically based recommendations have been prepared on a number of problematic topics. An important part of the reserve’s activities is the promotion of environmental knowledge. A rich Museum of Nature has been created here. The reserve team invites compatriots and foreign guests to visit this museum to get acquainted with the beautiful creations of nature on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea.

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“Khazar State Nature Reserve” (Turkmen: Hazar döwlet tebigy goraghanasy; former names – “All-Union Hasan-Kuli Ornithological Reserve” (1932-1968), “All-Union Krasnovodsk Ornithological Reserve” (1968-1994)) – state natural reserve, specially protected natural territory of Turkmenistan, located in the west of the country, on the southeastern coast of the Caspian Sea. The central estate of the reserve is located in the city of Turkmenbashi (until 1993 – the city of Krasnovodsk).

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Fauna

The current area of the reserve is 267,961 hectares, more than half of which is occupied by significant areas of coastal wetlands and the Caspian sea. The reserve consists of three sections: Khazarsky (191,261 hectares), with a number of bays and a kilometer-long buffer zone around, Esengulysky (69,700 hectares), a reserve on the island of Ogurchinsky (Ogurdzhaly) (7,000 hectares) with the adjacent water area. It is subordinate to the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Environmental Protection and Land Resources.

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It became one of the first nature reserves created in the Turkmen SSR. At that time, there were only 2 nature reserves in Turkmenistan – Repeteksky, created in 1927, and Krasnovodsk, in 1932. The Badkhyz Nature Reserve was founded in December 1941 on the initiative of the famous zoologist Professor M.I. Rozanov for the sake of saving the kulans. Back in the 18th century, herds of these extremely hardy Animals inhabited the plains of Central Asia from the Aral Sea region in the north to the spurs of Paramiz in the south. But in the first half of the 20th century, no more than 150 heads survived only in Badkhyz. By 1940, the large kulan population in the region had disappeared. Small herds of only 150-250 heads are preserved only in Badkhyz. After the civil war, surplus appropriation and other reasons, famine broke out in the country. Hunting for ungulates has increased manifold. The sharp decline in ungulates led to the extinction of large cat predators – the Turanian tiger and cheetah. The organization of the Badkhyz Nature Reserve killed off the surviving population of the kulan in Badkhyz. In subsequent years, attempts were made to expand the range of this species. Badkhyz kulans became the basis for the reintroduction of kulans in the Kaplankyr reserve, in the Meana-Chaachinsky and Kurukhaudansky reserves of the Kopetdag reserve, populations in the Khodzhakala and Sumbar valleys. Badkhyz is an amazing natural object, with climatic conditions specific to Turkmenistan. In some years there are heavy snowfalls and frosts. The distribution of precipitation throughout the year is very similar to the trade wind. Almost all precipitation falls in winter – in April, May, while from June to October there is practically no rain. Due to the terrain, strong winds are often observed in Badkhyz. In addition to the kulan, the reserve is home to the argali mountain sheep, leopard, striped hyena, goitered gazelle and many other valuable, rare Animals.

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The fauna is also rich. Among the mammals, in addition to the kulan, there are numerous goitered gazelles and mountain sheep – urials. Predators include wolves, striped hyena, caracal and rarely leopard. Among the birds, the most notable are the black vulture, osprey, buzzard, houbara bustard, and numerous flocks of rosy starlings. Reptiles – 39 species, of which Chernov’s snake lizard, gray monitor lizard, cobra and a number of others are included in the Red Book of Turkmenistan. More than 1,300 species of insects were found in the invertebrate fauna of the reserve, 108 of them are endemic.

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A similar fate befell the pistachio, whose open forests once stretched across the foothills and lowlands of Central Asia. However, having been exterminated everywhere, pistachio has survived in arid areas in the south of Tajikistan and in Turkmen Badkhyz. The area of the Badkhyz Nature Reserve is 87,680 hectares. He owns three reserves: Chemenabitsky, Pulikhatunsky and Kyzyldzharsky. In spring, a bright green carpet of grass spreads here, decorated with blooming poppies, tulips and tall ferula (umbrella family). But already in May summer comes, and then only the pistachio umbrellas turn green. At this time, pistachios are very reminiscent of the African savannah. In the flora of the reserve there are about 700 species of plants, among which there are endemic ones, that is, found only in this corner of the planet: Badkhyz curly curly, Afghan fig, Kushkin tulip, extremely rare small-berry Badkhyz pistachio and a number of other species .

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Created on July 18, 2013. Its total area is 85,500 hectares. Including: 60,500 ha of specially protected natural areas and 25,000 ha. is a limited reserve. The protected area is 25848 ha.
It is located in the territory of Ak Bugda and Tejen etrap velayats of Ahal in Central Karagum. The main purpose of the creation of the reserve is to preserve and enrich the biodiversity of the Karakum desert, to conduct scientific research on the restoration of pastures, their systematic use, and conservation.

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The composition of flora of the reserve and adjacent areas includes 293 species, including 210 species of high-ranking plants, of which 5 species are included in the Red Book of Turkmenistan.
The fauna of the reserve and its adjacent areas consists of about 850 species, 90 of which are vertebrates belonging to reptiles, birds and mammals. A total of 14 species of animals are included in the Red Book of Turkmenistan.

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TThere is 1 limited reserve under the protection.
Minara (2013) – 25000 ha. From conservation of biodiversity of the Karakum desert

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It was established on August 19, 1976. The total area of the reserve is 125,000 ha, which includes the Mäne-Chache range from Germap in the Central Kopetdag to the Eastern Kopetdag. The purpose of the creation of the reserve is to preserve the ecosystems of the mountain-foot plains and their integrated study, to preserve juniper forests, forests of wild fruit trees, and important species of fauna – hummingbirds, deer, stilts, mountain turkeys and other species. Gogarkhana includes two state nature limited reserves: Gurikhovdan (15 thousand ha) and Mane-Chache (60 thousand ha).
About 1,200 species of high-ranking plants can be found in the reserve. More than 40 of them are included in the Red Book of Turkmenistan. The main forest-forming tree is the Turkmen juniper, an endemic of the Kopetdag-Khorasan mountains, which is widespread here and is evergreen. Juniper forest occupies more than 23 thousand hectares of the reserve, and 50% of the area of juniper trees growing in Kopetdag is located within the reserve.

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The fauna of the reserve consists of 1265 species, including invertebrates – more than 1000, mammals – 67, birds – 153, fish – 6, reptiles – 39.
In the reserve, 17 species of mammals have been included in the Red Book of Turkmenistan, including syrtalan, elk, deer, ibex, mountain goat and other species.

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Two of them, Mane-Chache (1976) – 60,000 ha. designed to protect rabbits, deer and leopards.
Dry land – 15,000 ha. It is designed to protect cheetahs, mountain goats, and leopards.
There are 2 natural monuments under the protection:
Karayalchi – fruit field 20 ha. 2. Tsarlyk – 2000 ha.

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