Zapovednik Daursky, on the south of Chitinskaóa Region, was founded in 1987, its area
is 44, 8 thousand ha.
The Zapovednik occupies part of flat valley; it is made up of ecosystems of the
Central-Asia Steppes. Absolute heights reach 700-800 m above sea level; at a height of 620
m above sea level Toreiskaya Kotlovina with its lakes of Zun-Torei and Barun-Torei is
located. The hydrological regime of the lakes is variable, ranging from maximum flooding
(a water cover of 80 thousand ha with a depth of 8 m) to complete drying off.
Across the Toreiskiye Lakes goes one of waterfowl 's greatest migration ways; the lakes
are included in the List of Wetlands of International Significance.
Among steppe plants forbs associations prevail; in lowlands near mounds and at the lake
shores sites of feather steppes can be met; in river mouths and along bays meadow-bog
plants grow. A characteristic peculiarity of the Zapovednik is the diversity and
variability of its plant forms on a comparatively small area.
Among the birds of the Zapovednik, 20 species are listed in the Red Data Book of
Russia. The Zapovednik plays a part in providing the white-naped crane with reserve; a
rare goose species — swan goose — lives in the Zapovednik. In the area is the only
nesting place of the relic gull in the Asian part of the Russian Federation.
Of mammal species the following are noted in the Red Data Book: dzeren, Pallas' cat,
and Erinaceus dauricus.
The Zapovednik is part of the "Toreiskiye ostrova" Wetland of International
Significance. The Zapovednik controls the federal nature zakaznik of "Tsasucheichkiy
bor" founded in 1988 on an area of 57,9 thousand ha. The Zapovednik has biosphere
status.
