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As a whole, the biosphere reserve is located in the desert zone and subzone of steppified Northern deserts, and is occupied by various aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Virgin steppe ecosystems, coastal ecosystems of high reed thickets, lakes' shallow waters, meadows and shrub thickets along rivers are all types of ecological features that can be found in Ak-Zhayik. This area is characterized by low plains with saline meadows,solonchaks,solonetzand spacious wetlands. The main vegetation is represented by 6 types: desert, meadow, marsh, forest, shrubs and water-submerged.The wetlands of Ak-Zhayik Biosphere Reserve are situated on one of the largest bird migration routes, 110 of which, are water birds including 18 specially protected species. The biosphere reserve is therefore a nesting site for approximately 70 waterbirds, 8 of which are specially protected natural objects. The rare birdPelicanus crispuscan be found here with a population reaching more than 600 nesting pairs, accounting for 12% of the global population. 292 bird species in total are recorded in the Ural river delta and adjacent sea coast with a possibility of 3 million specimens during migration.The site is the last untouched area of wild nature in the region and serves as a refuge for many species of wild fauna and flora; especially sturgeon fish, which have recently been threatened to complete extinction. There are 48 mammal species recorded in Ak-Zhayik, and aquatic parts of the site are currently the only protected territories for conservation of endemic relict species such as the Caspian Seal (Pusa caspica). In terms of flora, the area contains 229 species of higher plants, amongst which 7 species are relict (Potamogetonaceaefamily) and 4 species are rare and specially protected (Salicaceaefamily). There is also a group of medicinal plants of 10 species including ginger plant, plantain, blowball etc.