What are nature reserves?

What are natural reserves?

In recent years, natural reserves have played a major role in preserving the diversity of wildlife, as they are considered important places for protecting plants, animals, and other living organisms. They also reflect the extent of the diversity of living species in nature, and contribute to preserving the environmental cycle, by reducing potential threats, such as: illegal hunting and the destruction of natural habitats.

Definition and examples of natural reserves

A natural reserve or wild reserve is a geographical area with a specific area, designated for preserving renewable environmental resources, while applying effective management systems to make optimal use of them. Such areas are characterized by the presence of endangered plants and animals. Which requires protecting them from human interference and pollution in its various forms, and therefore these areas contain geological traces dating back to past eras.Among the natural reserves included in Egypt are:

• Wadi Al-Hitan: In Fayoum Governorate, this reserve includes a large number of endangered animals, such as: white gazelle – sand fox – peregrine falcon – heron. In addition to a significant number of wild plants that are seriously exposed to extinction.
• Zaraniq Reserve: This reserve in North Sinai includes images from the environment of the Mediterranean basin, as it is an important station for birds migrating from Europe and Asia to Africa. In pursuit of food sources and to escape winter and its cold.
• Ras Muhammad Reserve: In South Sinai, we will find that the Ras Muhammad area is distinguished by its coral beaches, multi-colored fish, endangered sea turtles, and other rare aquatic life.
• Nabq Reserve: This reserve is located near the city of Al Salam – Sharm El Sheikh – and what is distinguished by its plant system, which includes 134 species of plants, the most famous of which is: the mangrove plant. In short, this region is the last tropical extension area for the growth of a number of rare plants.
• Abu Galum Reserve: In South Sinai, we will also find a reserve with diverse ecosystems rich in marine organisms, and the “Abu Galum” Reserve has distinct desert and mountain ecosystems, and it is famous for a group of unique mountains and valleys; Which makes it a major tourist attraction.

Why arenature reserves important?

Preserving wildlife – as the name suggests – is a priority, and thus reserves provide a healthy habitat for many species that are threatened with extinction. In order to help increase their numbers. In addition to this, natural reserves have many other benefits, such as:

• Enhancing Biodiversity:Biodiversity refers to the diversity of living organisms and their effects on the environment, and this is through protecting natural areas and the species that live in them through symbiotic relationships. So when one species becomes extinct in an unprotected habitat – due to hunting practices, deforestation or pollution – another species becomes extinct, and the balance of the environment is disturbed.It is worth noting that in a previous article we defined the concept of Biodiversity, and talked about its importance in preserving wildlife, and you can read it if you want more about the meaning of Biodiversity.
• Activating ecotourism:The presence of wildlife reserves is an opportunity for viewing natural landscapes, in addition to sports and recreational activities permitted in such reserves, such as long-distance walking, canoeing, bird watching, and photography. We should realize that such activities are an economic return that can be used to develop these reserves.