FLORA AND FAUNA

The natural wildlife resources of our reserve have been scientifically studied and fully documented. The fauna consists of 1,124 species, including 41 mammals, 177 birds, 5 reptiles, 1 amphibian, and more than 900 insects. The reserve is dominated by Central Asian mountain species, among which some endemic species typical of mountainous regions are found. Within the reserve’s boundaries, the Shelek River is inhabited by three fish species: the Strauch Stone Loach (Triplophysa strauchii), the Scaleless Stone Loach (Triplophysa labiata), and the Scaled Stone Loach (Triplophysa dorsalis).

Mammals

The reserve is home to 41 species of mammals, belonging to 6 orders, 16 families, and 34 genera. Four mammal species are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan: the Tian Shan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus), the Turkestan Lynx (Lynx lynx), the Stone Marten (Martes foina), and the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia Schreber), which is also included in the IUCN Global Red List of Threatened Species.

Birds

Within the territory of the Almaty State Nature Reserve, 177 bird species have been recorded, of which 103 species are nesting. These bird species are classified into 18 orders, 47 families, and 112 genera. The nesting bird species constitute 63.8% of all bird species found within the reserve. The reserve is home to three globally threatened Central Asian species – the Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus), the Corncrake (Crex crex), and the European Roller (Coracias garrulus) – which are included in the IUCN Red List as species facing global extinction risk and are recognized as globally threatened species by BirdLife International. In addition, 12 bird species occurring in the reserve are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan: the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), the Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), the Himalayan Vulture (Gyps himalayensis), the Saker Falcon (Falco pelegrinoides), the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), the Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii), the Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo), the Blue Whistling Thrush (Muophonus caeruleus), the Common Crane (Grus grus), and the Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo).

Amphibia and Reptilia

In the reserve, 5 species of reptiles (Reptilia) and 1 species of amphibians (Amphibia) – the Green toad (Bufo viridis) – have been recorded. Among reptiles: the Alai eyelidless skink (Ablepharus alaicus), the Central Asian pit viper (Agkistrodon halys), and the Dione rat snake (Elaphe dione) are common, while the Grass snake (Natrix natrix) and the Common adder (Vipera berus) are rarely found.

Insectc

The number of invertebrate species is unknown, but they are undoubtedly diverse and abundant: to date, about 2,000 species belonging to 8 classes have been identified. Upon entering the reserve, the first to catch the eye are brightly colored diurnal butterflies — from large swallowtails to small blues, with no fewer than 135 species recorded here. Representatives of other insect groups have also been identified. Thus, among beetles, 252 species of ground beetles and 102 species of leaf beetles have been recorded; among hymenopterans: 110 species of wild bees, 33 species of ants, and 97 species of digger wasps. It can be stated with confidence that more than 6,000 insect species inhabit the territory of the reserve. Of this diversity, only 11 species have been included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. Among other invertebrates, 4 species of terrestrial gastropod mollusks are listed as Red Book species. 11 species have been included in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Sinistral Land Snail (Bradybaena sinistrorsa), Schnitnikov’s Ground Beetle (Pseudonapaepus schnitnikovi), Turkestani Turcomilax (Turcomilax turkestanus), Tsvetkova’s Turcomilax (Turcomilax tsvetkovae), Conspicuous Pseudonapaepus (Pseudonapaepus conspicuus), Steppe Dybka (Saga pedo), Semenov’s Ground Beetle (Carabus semenovi), Large Root Borer (Dorcadion grande), Two-spotted Hylocoris (Chilocorus bipustulatus), Bedromius (Parnassius boedromius), Patricius (Parnassius patricius).

Flora

In the Almaty Nature Reserve, the flora comprises 1,440 plant species, including 960 species of higher plants and 480 species of lower plants. Among them, 14 are relict species and 18 are endemic species. The Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan lists 29 species of higher plants and 1 species of fungi.

Lower plants. In the reserve, 200 species of fungi have been identified; 74 species of leafy-stemmed mosses, classified into 46 genera, 24 families, and 10 orders; as well as 76 species of lichens, belonging to 29 genera and 16 families.

Higher plants. In the territory of the reserve, there are 960 species belonging to 415 genera from 85 families. The families richest in species are: Asteraceae (Compositae), Poaceae (Grasses), Rosaceae (Rose family), Fabaceae (Legumes), and Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family).

On the protected territory, there grow 14 species of trees, 64 species of shrubs, 3 dwarf shrubs, 5 subshrubs, 3 lianas, 102 annuals, 47 biennials, and 722 perennials. Overall, the flora of the reserve is characterized by the dominance of herbaceous vegetation.

The narrow endemics of the reserve include Albert’s iris (Iris albertii), Muschketov’s atraphaxis (Atraphaxis muschketowii), Almaty oxytropis (Oxytropis almaatensis), glacial pastinacopsis (Pastinacopsis glacialis), Kumbel hawkweed (Hieracium kumbelicum), and others. Relict species include Muschketov’s atraphaxis (Atraphaxis muschketowii), golden adonis (Adonis chrysocyathus), Semenov’s corydalis (Corydalis semenovii), and involucrate saussurea (Saussurea involucrata).

The wild fruit thickets are represented by 42 species of fruit and berry plants belonging to 15 genera and 5 families. Among them are 10 species of trees, 29 species of shrubs, and 3 herbaceous species. Of global genetic value are the Red Book–listed species growing here: Sievers apple (Malus sieversii (Ledeb.) M.Roem.), a species with a rapidly declining population; Niedzwetzky’s apple (Malus niedzwetzkyana Dieck), a very rare, nearly endemic and vanishing species with a small population; and the common apricot (Armeniaca vulgaris Lam.), a rare species with a shrinking range. One of the main forms of deciduous forest is represented by wild fruit thickets, where the dominant forest-forming species is the wild apple. An endemic species is the Tien Shan rowan, which forms thickets in the microrelief folds of the northern slopes. Of the three species of hawthorn, the Almaty hawthorn is endemic. In the floodplain areas of rivers and streams, currants can be found: Meyer’s, Yanchevsky’s, various-haired, and stone currant.

The relict species found in the reserve include Muschketov’s atraphaxis (Atraphaxis muschketowii), golden adonis (Adonis chrysocyathus), Semenov’s corydalis (Corydalis semenovii), and involucrate saussurea (Saussurea involucrata).