Chyornye Zemli Nature Reserve
| Chornye Zemli Nature Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Russian: заповедник Чёрные земли | |
 Saiga in Chornye Zemli Nature Reserve | |
  Location of Reserve | |
| Location | Republic of Kalmykia |
| Nearest city | Astrakhan |
| Coordinates | 46°2′N 46°8′E / 46.033°N 46.133°E |
| Area | 121,901 acres (493.32 km2) |
| Established | 1990 |
| Governing body | Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Russia) |
| Website | http://zapovednik-chernyezemli.ru/ |
Chornye Zemli Nature Reserve (Russian: заповедник Чёрные земли) (also) is a Russian 'zapovednik' (strict nature reserve). The name in Russian means "Black Lands". It was originally established in 1990 to protect the saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica). The main part of the reserve is located in the Caspian Depression, northwest of the Caspian Sea. It was originally created in 1990 to protect the saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica). In the meantime the economy of Kalmykia collapsed and the numbers of saiga have crashed due to poaching for meat and horns (Chinese medicine) and desertification caused by overgrazing by domestic animals. The reserve also has colonies of egrets, cormorants, and rare pelicans. The reserve is situated in the Chernozemelsky District of Republic of Kalmykia. It was created in 1990, and covers 1,219 km² in two locations, with a 900 km² buffer zone.[1][2]
Since 1993, Cherny Zemli Nature Reserve has been designated as one of UNESCO biosphere reserves.
See also
- List of Russian Nature Reserves (class 1a 'zapovedniks')
- National parks of Russia
- Protected areas of Russia
References
- ^ "Chyornye Zemli Zapovednik (Official Site)" (in Russian). Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Russia). Retrieved January 21, 2016.
- ^ "Chyornye Zemli Zapovednik" (in Russian). Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Russia). Retrieved January 21, 2016.
- Center for Russian Nature Conservation, Cherny Zemly Zapovednik
- Chernye Zemli Nature Reserve Template:Ru icon
External links
