Flora
More than 314 species of higher plants may be found in Astrakhan Reserve.
There are four types of vegetation in Astrakhan Reserve: shrub, forest, meadow and aquatic.
Only shrubs and trees which are green in summer grow in the Volga delta. White willow (Salix alba) and pencil ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) form continuous gallery forests along the banks of the river branches.
The reserve’s most striking flora is its aquatic vegetation. Lotus (Nelumbo caspica), white water lily (Nymphaea alba) yellow water lily (Nuphar lutea) – these plants, with large, bright flowers, create landscapes that amaze travelers and inspire artists.
Fauna
Many of the insect species that live in the Volga delta are associated with aquatic existence. In summer, in the meadows you can see many insects – dragonflies, beetles, grasshoppers, butterflies. All of them are an important link of the food chain – they are food for many species of other larger animals.
