The Great Arctic reserve is the largest nature reserve in Eurasia and the third largest in the world. With an area of over 4 million hectares, the reserve is surrounded by the Kara Sea and the Laptev Sea. Due to the extreme climate, the main flora species in the reserve are lichens that can survive the harsh conditions of the Arctic. Wildlife is also scarce.

The northernmost nature reserve in Russia comprises two islands, Wrangel and Herald, and the surrounding waters. The diversity of plant species and communities, insects and birds makes the nature reserve unique. Wrangel Island ranks first in the world in terms of the number of endemic plants and animals (that is, those found in only one climate zone), surpassing even Greenland. The history of this area is very interesting as well: remains of animals that lived there thousands of years ago were found on the islands, including Pleistocene and Holocene mammals such as woolly mammoths, ancient bison, horses and pygmy mammoths. The reserve is also the site of a Neolithic settlement of marine hunters that dates back about 3,400 years. In 2004, the reserve was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The nature reserve is located in the mountainous area of the Putorana Plateau. Among the reserve’s natural landmarks are unique landscapes, giant tectonic lakes and numerous waterfalls. In 2010, the reserve was put on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The reserve was established to protect and study the tundra ecosystem. It is located in the eastern part of Taimyr Peninsula, in an area of permafrost up to 500 m thick. Many rare species under various classifications can be found there, for instance, Castilleja arctica, Artemisia arctisibirica, Draba pohlei, Draba taimyrensis, Puccinellia byrrangensis Tzvelev.

The nature reserve was established to protect and study the delta ecosystem of the Lena River, one of the largest rivers in Siberia, as well as the Laptev Sea and New Siberian Islands. Lakes, creeks and bays comprise over a half of the reserve. Among its unique natural landmarks is Stolb Island, a 114-meter rocky hill formed of 400 million year old rocks. Mirages resulting from bent light rays where cold air masses meet the warm waters can be seen near Stolb Island.

Russian Arctic is the youngest Arctic reserve. It comprises the northern part of Severny Island of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago and the surrounding islands. In 2016, the Franz Josef Land sanctuary was included in the national park. The park aims to preserve the natural, cultural and historical heritage of the western part of the Russian Arctic. It protects valuable polar deserts and Arctic tundra with glaciers. Franz Josef Land is home to a large part of the ivory gull population and the bowhead whale Spitsbergen subpopulation. Evidences of the Pomor sea routes and the expeditions of Arctic pioneers have been found here.

The nature reserve is located on the Gydan Peninsula and the Kara Sea islands. It was established to protect and study the tundra ecosystems of the northwestern part of Western Siberia, the coastal and marine ecosystems of the Kara Sea, and the breeding sites of waders and seabirds.

The Nenets Nature Reserve is a sprawling expanse of tundra and swamps. Due to the large water surface, it attracts thousands of birds during the breeding season and tens of thousands during spring and fall migration. The East Atlantic Flyway of birds that build nests in Eastern Siberian and Western Siberian tundra and that winter in Western Europe, as well as the migration route of the Atlantic salmon pass through the nature reserve. The reserve offers birdwatching tours. The Winged Fighters tour includes the mating battles of ruffs. The program The Arctic – Home of the Tundra Swans offers glimpses of pre-migration groups of water birds in the nature reserve.

The Lapland Biosphere Reserve protects the entire nature complex of the western part of the Kola Peninsula. The reserve is known for its pristine nature: this area was uninhabited before the reserve was established. Some forests in this reserve are several thousand years old.

The reserve was established to protect commercial bird species, first of all the common eider, a sea duck that is known for its valuable down. The largest part of the reserve is water, so the Kandalaksha reserve can be considered the first marine reserve in Russia. Since 1939, the entire wildlife and natural sites of the reserve have been under protection. The nature reserve is a cultural and education center for Russian ornithologists.

The nature reserve is located along the Russia-Norway border in the far northeast of the Kola Peninsula. Its western border goes along the state border that divides the Paatsjoki River. The nature reserve was established as a result of the two countries’ cooperation to protect unique northern nature. A quarter of the area is occupied by swamps. The Paatsjoki River and the adjacent waters and swamps are the habitat of many bird species, such as the black-throated loon, whooper swan, common goldeneye, smew, mallard and red-breasted merganser.