The reserve is divided into three sections: 'Damchikskogo' in the west, 'Trehiz-binskogo' in the center and 'Obzhorovsky' in the east. It sits in the Caspian depression, 27 meters below sea level. The delta is growing in the direction of the sea, although annual deposits of sediment are affected by dams up-river.
Climate and Ecoregion
Astrakhan is located in the Caspian lowland desert ecoregion. This region, on the north and northeast shores of the Caspian Sea, is characterized by sand dunes and ridges, salt soil, clay deserts and in places solonchaks or salt pans of 30–40 cm thickness devoid of vegetation. Plant life is sparse but features highly specialized halophytes. The climate of Astrakhan is cool semi-arid. This climate is characterized by high variation in temperature, both daily and seasonally; with low precipitation.
There are four broad types of vegetation in the delta: bush, forest, meadow and water. The forests communities are riparian with white willow, grass-forb and blackberry bush. The meadow areas features tallgrass, cane and sedge; the marshy meadows mostly reeds. The high number of fish species in the reserve are due to the shallow waters and abundant vegetation. There are relatively few mammal species, but muskrats, hedgehogs, stoats, weasels and various rodents are present, and mass migrations of bats are seen in late spring and early autumn. There are wolves living permanently in all three sectors of the reserve. The migratory bird season is March to November. The reserve has recorded 283 species of birds, 99 of which nest on the site and 155 of which are seen in periods of migration and wintering.
Ecotourism
As a strict nature reserve, the Astrakhan Reserve is mostly closed to the general public, although tours and excursions can be arranged with park management through their website. The official offices are in the city of Astrakhan. A new ecological trail has been developed for visitors, with walkways to four islands and an observation platform. Reserve staff conduct boat tours for groups and individuals in the waterways of the territory. In the reserve and in its buffer zones, hunting and industrial fishing are prohibited. Sport fishing is regulated and limited to the buffer zones outside the reserve itself.
