Kyzylkum State Nature Reserve

Kyzylkum Reserve — located in Bukhara region on the middle course of the Amu Darya, on both banks of the river. It borders Turkmenistan. Area 10 311 ha, including forested area 5 338 ha, sandy desert 800 ha, swamp 1 883 ha. Along the river banks it extends 30 km from northwest to southeast and 3 km from east to west. Its purpose is to study the flora and fauna of the reserve area, to conduct scientific research and other activities. The reserve consists of swamp and sandy desert. Climate is sharply continental, characterized by dryness, temperature fluctuations, and low precipitation. The main part of the precipitation (85–87 %) falls in winter and spring. Maximum temperatures are 41–44 °C in summer, 20–21 °C in winter. Soils are sandy, loamy, alluvial meadow, and swamp‑meadow types. In the reserve 15 plant species grow: tamarisk, reed, red willow, sagebrush, salsola, candym, cherkez, ephemerals, Bobrov’s astragalus, Korolkov’s shrub, and Kyzylkum sandwort, which are listed in the Uzbekistan Red Book. The fauna of the reserve is rich and diverse. There are 359 species of vertebrates, 27 species of fish in water bodies, 2 species living both in water and on land, 28 species of reptiles, 267 species of birds and 35 species of mammals. Bukhara gazelle (hognose), jayran, barhan marmot, eagle (listed in the Uzbekistan Red Book), chiyaburi, wild boar (wild pig), desert marmot, fox, Amu Darya otter, pigeon, black crow, southern and swamp bustards occur. The Bukhara gazelle is protected separately.

Scientific and practical research work is carried out in the reserve to preserve, increase, and study its fauna and flora.