The Kopet Dag reserve is located in the central Kopet-Dag part of Turkmenistan. It is founded in 1976, the area is more than 49thous. ha, more than 46 thous. are forests and 3584 they are grasslands. The relief is mountainous.

The northern part of the reserve is located on the rocky slopes and the southern one is more plain. The reserve consists of four separate areas located at the altitude from 700 to 2800 m above sea level. The climate is dry, continental and depends on hot dry air blowing from Karakum and Iran deserts. The annual average temperature in different areas varies from 7 to 16 °С (depending on the altitude above sea level), average temperature in July is 29 °С, average temperature in January is 0.5°С, annual average precipitation is 230-350 mm.

Rare mesophytic species of orchids (Ophrys transhyrcana, Epipactis veratrifolia) and ferns (Ophioglossum vulgatum) found here their refuge from the arid environment. A magnificent, relict Eastern sycamore (Platanus orientalis) grows as a narrow strip along mountain rivers; its preservation depends entirely on anti-erosion efforts which should prevent mudslide formation on the slopes and plateaus caused by overgrazing in the upper regions of the watershed.

Common mammal species in Kopet Dag woodlands include shrews (Sorex, Crocidura), forest mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), jackal (Canis aureus), fox (Vulpes vulpes), marten (Martes foina), least weasel (Mustela nivalis), badger (Meles meles), wild boar (Sus scrofa). Among birds, common are lark (Galerida cristata), stone patridge (Alectoris chucar), doves (Columba livia, Streptopelia turtur, S. orientalis), hawks (Accipiter nisus, A. badius), buzzard (Buteo rufinus), kite (Milvus korshun), falcons (Falco tinnunculus), pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), titmice (Parus), flycatchers (Muscicapa), nightingale (Luscinia megarhyncha), finches (Carduelis), buntings (Emberiza), warblers (Sylvia), and shrikes (Lanius).