Dagestan Nature Reserve ( Russian : Дагестанский заповедник ) (also Dagestansky ) is a Russian ' zapovednik ' (strict nature reserve) that protects an area of sand dunes and ridges on the northwest coast of the Caspian Sea in the southeast of European Russia. The reserve, a wintering place for migratory birds, is the richest nature reserve in Russia in terms of the number of species - over 300 species have been recorded in the reserve, its buffer zones and subordinate reserves. The reserve is part of several "Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas" (IBAs). The Sarykum sand dune is the highest sand dune in Europe, at 262 m (860 ft). The reserve is situated in the Tarumovsky District of Dagestan .
13-624: The Dagestan Reserve sits on the northwest coast of the Caspian Sea, at the mouth of the Kuma River as it empties into Kizlyar Bay . The reserve covers the low, marshy wetlands of the Kuma delta, as well as the entirety of Kizlyar Bay. Tyuleniy Island lies to the east of the reserve, 43 km (27 mi) from the coast, just outside of the bay. To the north the landscape changes to semi-desert. The reserve includes four sectors that are disconnected from
26-468: A strict nature reserve, the Dagestan Reserve is mostly closed to the general public, although scientists and those with 'environmental education' purposes can make arrangements with park management for visits. Excursions can be arranged by the public. but permits must be obtained in advance. The main office is in the city of Makhachkala . Kuma River (Russia) The Kuma ( Russian : Кума́ )
39-517: Is Humid continental climate, cool summer ( Köppen climate classification (Dwb) ). This climate is characterized by high variation in temperature, both daily and seasonally; with dry winters and cool summers. The strong heating of the sand on Sarykoum, the dune reaches temperatures of 55–60 °C (131–140 °F) in the summer. The average temperature in January is −1 °C (30 °F); in August it
52-407: Is +31 °C (88 °F) degrees. Average annual rainfall is 336 millimetres (13.2 in). The plants of the wetlands are mostly reeds with a height of 1.5–3 metres (4.9–9.8 ft). The meadows on drier ground are grasses and sedges. Desert vegetations is represented by saltwort, sagerush-saltwort, wormwood. In the reedlands, the mammals include wild boar, muskrat, nutria, and water rat. On
65-483: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Republic of Dagestan location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article related to a river in the North Caucasian Federal District of Russia is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Kizlyar Gulf The Kizlyar Bay ( Russian : Кизлярский залив Kizlyarskiy Zaliv ) is a bay of
78-653: Is a river in the North Caucasus region of southern Russia . It flows northeast into the Caspian Sea . It is 802 kilometres (498 mi) long and has a drainage basin of 33,500 square kilometres (12,900 sq mi). Its source is in the Greater Caucasus , in the republic Karachay-Cherkessia , west of Kislovodsk . It flows in a northeastern direction, through Stavropol Krai (towns Mineralnye Vody , Zelenokumsk , Budyonnovsk , Neftekumsk ) and further east through
91-518: Is about 90% marine, and 10% humid grassland), and "Tyuleni Island" (which is itself mostly wetlands, mudflats, and shingle/stony beach). Notable species include the vulnerable Dalmatian pelican , one of the largest birds, with a 10-foot (3.0 m) wingspan. On the salt marshes are ibis, herons, terns, stilts, curlew and other waders. During the migrations on the west coast of the Caspian are large numbers of cormorants, grebes, ducks, geese and gulls. As
104-747: The Caspian Depression as the natural border between the Kalmykia and Dagestan republics of Russia. That part of the Kuma's valley forms the eastern part of the Kuma–Manych Depression , separating the East European Plain from the Caucasus region. The Kuma flows into the Kizlyar Gulf of the Caspian Sea near the border between Dagestan and Kalmykia. Most of the rivers that flow north from
117-643: The Caspian Sea located in the Republic of Dagestan , Russian Federation . If the plans for the proposed Eurasia Canal , linking the Caspian Sea with the Black Sea , are ever implemented, it will likely have the Kizlyar Bay as its eastern end. The bay cuts 20 km (12 mi) deep into the Dagestan seashore. It is 40 km (25 mi) wide and has a maximum depth of 4 m (13 ft). Tyuleniy Island lies near
130-655: The Caucasus Mountains and into Terek–Kuma Lowland are caught by the Kuban and Terek . It rises between the basins of those two rivers, so the Kuma is mainly a steppe river. It is much used for irrigation. If the plans for the proposed Eurasia Canal , linking the Caspian Sea with the Black Sea, are ever implemented, it will likely follow the Kuma River valley in its eastern section. This Stavropol Krai location article
143-452: The Kizlyar Bay territory: Dagestan is located in the Caspian lowland desert ecoregion. This ecoregion covers the coastal desert - sand dunes, salt deserts, solonchaks (shors) and clay deserts ( takyrs ) - on the north and east shores of the Caspian Sea. Vegetation is sparse, but highly specialized with mostly halophytes (salt-tolerant plants), shrubs and semi-shrubs. The climate of Dagestan
SECTION 10
#1733085207742156-404: The entrance to the bay. The Kuma , Prorva and Talovka rivers discharge into the bay, reducing the salinity to 5 PPT . The Dagestan Nature Reserve is a protected areacovers the entire area of the gulf, including the island of Morskoy Biryuchok . The hinterland is a low and marshy area of wetlands . The large Sarykum dune, located in another area further to the south, is part of
169-467: The steppes are hare, fox, and wolf. The main focus of the reserve is the birdlife, particularly waterfowl. The boundaries of the main reserve area of the Kuma Delta includes three "Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas" (IBAs) as defined by Birdlife International: "Nizhnekumiskiye floodplains (along the mouth of the Kuma in an area that is about half desert and half riverine grasslands), "Kizlar Bay" (which
#741258