Today biological and landscape variety of Azerbaijan is protected to considerable extent thanks to existence of reservation system-protected natural reservations. They are related to the category I by IUNP classification. Reservations are scientific-research and ecology-enlightening institutions. On the territory of reservation any activity inconsistent with tasks and regime of territory protection is forbidden. In republic there are 14reservations with common area 191200 ha, that makes 2,2% territory of the country.

Reservation "Gyzylagach" is located on the south-west coast of Caspian sea within Gyzylagach gulf. It has an area 88,4 thous.ha including 62 thous.ha of water area. Territory of reservation covers the water area of Greater Gyzylagach gulf, northern part of Lesser Gyzylagach gulf as well as land areas adjacent to these lagoons. As a result of rising of Caspian Sea area of reservation land reduced to 2 times.

Reservation was created in 1929 aimed at protecting and reproduction of wintering and flight waterfowl, swamp and steep birds. Water, near-water and semi-desert natural complexes being the site of mass wintering of red book species of birds are the main protecting objects. 248 species of birds and 54 species of fishes are found in reservation.

Before collapse of USSR reservation was included into the list of water-swamp lands of international value of Ramsar Convention.

Reservation "Shirvan" was created in 1969 aimed at protecting and reproduction of gazelles, waterfowls as well as typical vegetative complexes of Shirvan lowland. Area of reservation is 25760 ha from them 4500 ha occupy lagoons. Natural complexes of semi-deserts of South-Eastern objects where inhabit the biggest gazelles population and water-swamp ecosystems (western part of Shorgel lake) are the main protecting objects.

At present on the territory of reservation due to occupation of territory of republic cattle-breeding facilities of refugees are located. It led to decrease of areal and fodder supply of gazelle and threat of diseases spread typical for domestic live-stock. Oil-exploration and oil production is realized on the territory of reservation. At the same time one can observe contamination of reservation by oil products.

Reservation "Gircan" was created in 1969 aimed at protecting of landscapes of humid subtropics, ecosystems of relict forests of hyrcan type. Reservation is located in the forest belt of Talysh mountains and Lenkaran lowland. It consists of two areas distant to 8 km. The basic mountain part of reservation occupies an area 2815 ha and covers slopes of Ulyasy ridge to 980 m height. Lowland part includes territory of 90 ha. Natural complexes of lowland and low-mountain forest belts of Talysh natural area are the main guarding objects. Flora of reservation contains 1900 species among them 162 endemics, 95 of rare and 38 those being under threat of extinction. There are many endemic and relict species of fauna especially among land mollusks and insects.

Reserves are territories having a specific value for restoration of natural complexes or their components and for supporting of ecological balance. Any activity can be forbidden on the territory of reserves and their separate areas constantly or temporarely if it disagrees the purposes of reserves development or harm the natural complexes and components. More than 20 reserves function in Republic.

Reserve "Lesser Gyzyl-Agach" was organized in 1978 (10700 ha) on the Lesser Gyzylagach gulf for protection and restoration of number of wintering, flight water-swamp and near-water birds including rare and those being under threat of extinction. It is directly border with Gyzyl-Agach reservation.

"Gusar" reserve was organized in 1961 (area 15000 ha) in Gusar region aimed at protection and restoration of number of hunting-industrial species of fauna and their location.

"Byandovan" reserve was organized in 1961 (area 30000 ha) on the territory of Saliyan and Karadag regions aimed at protection and restoration of gazelles number and waterfowl etc. Reserve borders with "Shirvan" State reservation.

"Glinyany Isle" reserve was organized in 1964 (area 150 ha) on the same name isle of Caspian sea near Apsheron peninsula aimed at protection of flight and wintering waterfowl colonies of seagull species and rookeries of seals.

INTRODUCTION

SECTION 1

SECTION 2

SECTION 3

SECTION 4

SECTION 5

APPENDIX 15

APPENDIX 16

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